Interview: THE LION IN WINTER's Michael Hanna

The Guthrie Theater's alternative to the holiday show across the hall is the opposite of the happy family tale you mostly see this time of year but it makes a nice change of pace with its biting dialogue and warring members of a fictional historic family. Written by James Goldman and directed by Kevin Moriarty, and perhaps best-known for the film adaptation starring Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn, THE LION IN WINTER has supremely barbed wit, family power dynamics and substantial roles for seasoned actors. Starring veteran actress Laila Robins, at St. Paul native, in one of those roles, it also gives similar opportunity to several younger actors who spar successfully with Robins and her costar Kevyn Morrow. One of the three sons of the powerful couple, Geoffrey, is played by Michael Hanna (see bio below), who took time to share more about his role and background in 6 Questions & a Plug:

While some people may be familiar with THE LION IN WINTER, can you start by telling our readers about the plot of the show and how your character figures into it?

It's 1183 and Henry the II is King of a united England, conqueror of half of France and he's just starting to feel his age. Young lover by his side, he's summoned his imprisoned wife, his three sons (of which Hanna plays the middle son), and the king of France together to begin a peaceful transition of power. It's Christmas Eve, so, needless to say, things don't go smoothly.

Geoffrey is said to be a cold, amoral schemer who yearns for the love of his parents but gets none--is that how you see the character, or are you finding other ways to play him?

I think like everyone in this play, Geoffrey is a character who yearns for love against his better judgement. This isn't his first Christmas watching Mummy and Daddy play games. I think Geoffrey learned very early on in life to keep his vulnerabilities out of reach - the second he lets his emotions out his parents either exploit or completely ignore them. Between being exploited or ignored -- which one is worse?

I imagine Geoffrey as being quite well-adjusted in his life removed from his family. I think that gives him somewhere to go at the start of the play.

How has it been for you moving into a lead role at the Guthrie? Has anything changed?

There is a bit more pressure, but that probably only comes from myself. Being in the building when there are two productions going on is an incredible gift. You get to be in the middle of your own process and then trade notes with another cast and crew to see how they're overcoming their challenges and see what they're discovering.

Everyone has their own process and way into a role and play - it's incredible to see artists working in an unfettered way at the Guthrie due to the incredible support that everyone gives one another.

You've been very busy in Twin Cities theatre -- what has been your most memorable experience thus far?

I jumped into "Le Switch" at the Jungle this summer and that was a whirlwind. I was in Texas when I got a call to jump into the project with less than two weeks till our first preview. I was on a plane the next morning, learning lines and French phrases as fast as I could, and it was terrifying! -- but the cast, director and Jungle crew could not have been more welcoming. The role and play - by the incomparable Philip Dawkins -- was a pure joy to perform every night with them. I feel immeasurably lucky to have been a part of that.

You graduated from the U of M/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program -- are you from the area (and if not, where are you from?), and what brought you to the program?

In a pinch, I tell people I'm from Texas -- I moved a lot as a kid. The late Kenneth Washington brought me to the program. I had just competed in the NFAA YoungArts program and met Ken there. I was at the Chicago Unified's, auditioning for only musical theater schools, and ran into Ken again. He encouraged me to think about studying classical theater -- he thought it was a better fit for me. He gave me a slot for a walk-in audition and I immediately knew he was right. I owe that man a lot.

What made you decide to pursue an acting career and what are some future goals for you as an actor?

I can't honestly say I remember the moment I decided to pursue an acting career -- 'I was in the middle before I knew I had begun.' It's been watching other actors have moments of brilliance that kept me at it -- I never know how people do it, finding that moment when they break through to embody their character, but it's incredible, both to see and to experience. I love being there for that -- I guess that keeps me coming back for more.

Time for a plug for what's next for you on stage - where will we see you next?

I'll be in LE PETIT MOULIN this spring with Collide Theatrical -- the company I worked with on DRACULA. They're a blast and I can't wait to see what Regina Peluso is cooking up. After that I have a project with a dear friend that is still in the works out in California. I'm very excited about the play and production, but can't talk about it until it's officially announced.

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Michael Hanna bio:

GUTHRIE The Lion in Winter, Sense and Sensibility, My Fair Lady, Born Yesterday. THEATER The Jungle Theatre:Le Switch; Park Square Theatre: Romeo and Juliet; MN Jewish Theatre Company: Bad Jews; Collide Theatrical: Dracula, Class of '85; Mixed Blood Theatre: Stars and Stripes; The Illusion Theater: Yussel the Muscle; Workhaus Collective: The Reagan Years. TRAINING B.F.A., University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program, Interlochen Arts Academy

More info:

THE LION IN WINTER will play through Dec. 31, 2016, on the McGuire Proscenium Stage. Single tickets start at $34 ($15 for previews), and are on sale now through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

Photos: Michael Hanna (Geoffrey) in THE LION IN WINTER at the Guthrie Theater. Courtesy of the Guthrie.

Michael Hanna (Geoffrey), Torsten Johnson (Richard) and Laila Robins (Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine) in the Guthrie Theater's The Lion in Winter, written by James Goldman and directed by Kevin Moriarty. Scenic design by Beowulf Boritt and Christopher Ash, costume design by Karen Perry and lighting design by Clifton Taylor. November 19 - December 31, 2016 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis. Photo by Heidi Bohnenkamp.

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