(HILLSBOROUGH, NJ) -- The Somerset Valley Players presents The Lion in Winter by James Goldman weekends from October 17 - November 2, 2025. This is a modern-day classic with sibling rivalry, adultery, and dungeons.
Comedic in tone, dramatic in action – the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family, who are locked in a free-for-all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom.
The queen, and wealthiest woman in the world, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been kept in prison since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II. Let out only for holidays, the play centers around the inner conflicts of the royal family as they fight over both a kingdom and King Henry’s paramour during the Christmas of 1183. As Eleanor says, “Every family has its ups and downs,” and this royal family is no exception.
Directed by Richard Butler, the cast includes Roger Dornbierer (Henry), Valerie Doran (Eleanor), Jasmine Morris (Alais), Kevin Albanese (Richard), Adam Noble (Geoffrey), Brendan McCunney (John), and Jacob Turchi (Philip).
Tickets are $24 (and $22 for seniors/students/children). Tickets are available for purchase online. Performances take place Friday & Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm. The Somerset Valley Playhouse is located at 689 Amwell Road (Rte 514) in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
The production team includes Producers: Todd Bennington & Mike Muller; Director: Richard Butler; Stage Manager: Melissa Noble; Lighting Design: Alex Fritsch; Sound Design: Adam Noble; Set Design: Mark Noble; Props: Cynthia Stetz; and Costumes: Sam Tonn.
Up next is The 24 Days Before Christmas from December 5-21, 2025. The Austin family has a cherished tradition of doing something special every day counting down to Christmas – from baking cookies to decorating the tree. This year is a stressful one for Vicky Austin, as she’s cast as the youngest angel in the Christmas Pageant. Plus, the family is preparing for the birth of a new brother or sister. Will the baby wait until January? Will Vicky mess up her big role? Will Christmas be ruined? Filled with elves, carols, and laughter, this timeless adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s The 24 Days Before Christmas is sure to bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye.
Made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
The Somerset Valley Players is committed to providing affordable, accessible, award-winning theatre to audiences in Somerset County and beyond. They are committed to high performance and production standards; celebrating new and classic theatre works; and offering local talent and volunteers an opportunity to learn, grow, and have their efforts recognized and rewarded.
