Directed by Tyne Rafaeli, performances will run at the New Jersey venue November 12-December 4 with an official opening November 18.

Tony Award nominee and Obie Award winner Michael Cumpsty (The End of the Rainbow, Hamlet) and three-time Tony Award nominee Dee Hoty (Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, The Will Rogers Follies) will star as Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, respectively, with Noah Averbach-Katz (John), KeiLyn Durrel Jones (Richard), Ronald Peet (Philip), Hubert Point-Du Jour (Geoffrey) and Madeleine Rogers (Alais).

Set during Christmas 1183, The Lion in Winter, according to press notes, “crashes through castle doors as King Henry II of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their sons Richard, Geoffrey, and John spend a memorable holiday revisiting old wounds—and making new ones—as they fight over who will rule the land after Henry’s death.”

”The Lion in Winter feels like a bitingly relevant conversation in light of our upcoming presidential election,” stated artistic director John Dias. “Questions about the battle for succession and the demands of leadership have never felt more pertinent. What makes The Lion in Winter feel so immediate and fresh is how it bridges great political posturing and intense personal and domestic intrigue. The play is not only about the battle over succession—it’s also a family drama, and very fun to watch.”

The creative team includes scenic designer Kristen Robinson, costume designer Andrea Hood, lighting designer Jennifer Tipton and sound designer Josh Schmidt. The fight direction is by J. Steven White, the casting is by Jack Doulin & Sharky, and the stage manager is Jenny Kennedy.

For tickets call (732) 345-1400 or visit tworivertheater.org.