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Whidbey Xtra! WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015 | Vol. 1, No. 28 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | FREE

Whidbey Playhouse presents ‘The Lion in Winter’ By RON NEWBERRY

rnewberry@whidbeynewsgroup.com

When Ingrid Schwalbe started looking for places for her and her husband to settle into their retirement years, Whidbey Island emerged for a variety of reasons. Coming from Cheney, they were attracted by the island’s greener pastures and intrigued by the rain shadow that keeps North and Central Whidbey drier than most places in Western Washington. And there was another appeal. “Even before we moved here, I researched the theater,” Schwalbe said. The couple’s decision to come to Oak Harbor in the spring has turned into a boon for the Whidbey Playhouse. Ingrid Schwalbe brings an extensive acting resume to the island, including professional theater in Europe and in Dallas. She took 18 years off from acting to raise their daughter, then started back up last year in community theater in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Schwalbe is making her Whidbey Playhouse debut in “The Lion in Winter,” which opened this month and will be performed through Nov. 22. “We had heard about Anacortes,” Schwalbe said, referring to Anacortes Community Theatre. “People over in Spokane know

Photo by Ron Newberry/Whidbey News-Times

Henry II, played by Ben Honeycutt, and Queen Eleanor, played by Ingrid Schwalbe, interact during a rehearsal for The Lion in Winter, which is being performed at the Whidbey Playhouse this month. about Anacortes. People also said there’s other theaters here. But I wanted to see what Oak Harbor had and I was just floored with what they have here. This is better than some Broadway theaters, what they have here. It’s just incredible. I just wanted to be part of it.” Schwalbe is tackling a lead role as Queen Eleanor, sharing the spotlight with Ben Honeycutt, who plays Henry II, King of England.

The two squabble frequently in the comedic drama, which is set in 1183. The quarrels are mostly about which of their three sons will be heir to the throne as Henry contemplates this reality in “the winter” of his life. The queen’s attempt to undermine him leads her to imprisonment in the castle for 10 years. Henry II wants his successor to be

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Prince John, played by 16-year-old Kyle Caporgno; but Eleanor wants Prince Richard, played by Nate Edmiston, to be king. “It’s predominantly a drama but there are lots of comedic elements in it,” said Stan Thomas, the director. “It’s kind of like an ‘All in the Family’ thing. They deal with serious subjects. There’s some comedic moments based upon typical human nature in families.”

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Honeycutt also is back into theater after an 18-year break. Thomas urged him to try out for the play after seeing him audition in the playhouse’s 50th anniversary season’s opener, “Godspell.” Honeycutt, who retired in Oak Harbor after 20 years in the Navy, also acted in Europe in community theater and has been onstage since he was a child. He knew it was only a matter of time until he got onstage at the Whidbey Playhouse. “It’s something of an eye-opener for me,” he said. “For the first time in my life, I am being forced to understand that ‘Yes Ben, you’re 52-years-old.’ I am playing a guy who is at the winter time in his life.” Fortunately, he said, he has Schwalbe alongside him. “Because she is a professional, she has helped me a lot,” Honeycutt said. “She’s pulled me aside and given me really good advice in a couple of instances that I’ve integrated into the character.” “They have wonderful chemistry onstage,” Thomas said. Other cast members are Jerry Wible, who plays Prince Geoffrey; Chris Barrett, who plays Phillip II, the king of France; and Anna Schenck, who plays Princess Alais. This is Schenck’s first time acting at the playhouse. Tickets for “The Lion in Winter” are $20. For more information, go to www.whidbeyplayhouse.com