CENTERVILLE—Filled with intrigue, plotting, scheming and family dysfunction, “The Lion in Winter” shows just how low people will go to inherit a kingdom. CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s production centers around King Henry II’s quest to name his successor but hidden alliances and lies may prove to be his undoing.

The Broadway play, most notably starring Peter O’Toole and Kathrine Hepburn, is set at Christmastime in 1183 at King Henry’s castle of Chinon, France. He has called together his three living sons to announce who will become the next King. His imprisoned wife Eleanor of Aquitaine has been temporarily released for the holiday and allowed to come home. Their sons, Richard, Geoffrey and John are all vying for the position. Henry favors his youngest son John but Eleanor wants Richard to become his successor.

“The Lion in Winter” pits brother against brother and King against Queen as they devise devious plans to outwit the other. In the mix is Henry’s mistress Alais (Isobella Giordano) who is betrothed to his oldest son Richard (Matthew Dickerson) as part of a treaty with France and her half-brother King Phillip II (Ryan Kinville) who demands the marriage take place or her dowry must be returned which is a strategically important area of land. Everyone has an agenda and they’re determined to carry it out. 

Eleanor, played by Leslie Barrett, steals the show as a manipulating woman who claims to still have feelings for Henry while trying to stab him in the back. Even her sons are pawns in her wicked game. Although the play is serious overall, Eleanor manages to throw a bit of humor in every now and then. 

King Henry II, (Nathan Riddle) is just as underhanded trying to trick his son Richard into thinking he will be named King. All three sons and Henry take turns visiting Phillip to persuade him to join in their plan. Unbeknownst to them, Phillip has been making them all believe he is their ally.

The play is in CenterPoint’s smaller Leishman Performance Hall which makes for a more intimate setting and works well with “The Lion in Winter.” A strong cast of characters rounds out the production as each supports the other in their role.

“The Lion in Winter” runs through July 8, Mondays and Thursday – Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $16. See CPTUtah.org or call 801-298-1302 for more information. CenterPoint Theatre is located at 525 N. 400 West, Centerville.