Queen Begins Rule At Medieval Times With New Show

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The first queen in a local kingdom's history is on the throne.

Six women have been chosen to play the new female monarch at Medieval Times Lyndhurst location in its 28-year history. Her rule begins Thursday. Other queens are taking their place on the thrones of the company's eight other locations.

Jessica Schear-Tolles of Rutherford told NorthJersey.com she is "very excited" to play the "really rich character." She is one of six people to perform the new role.

"When she's challenged, she lays down her authority," Schear-Tolles told the website. "She's written to be a very fair queen, but she has authority behind her."

The queen is the centerpiece of the dinner theater's new show. She inherited the throne after the death of her father, the king.

The new show features music composed Dr. Daniel May, a composer and jazz pianist who scored "Everest" and has worked with Sting, The Moody Blues and other musicians.

A king has been the master of ceremonies at Medieval Times, which feature jousting, sword fighting and other dark age-style contests. But now that medieval glass ceiling has been shattered.

"We have the little girls who come in and look at you with these huge eyes, and they see a princess — and now, of course, she's going to be a queen," Schear-Tolles told NorthJersey.com. "And they look at you, and they believe."

Medieval Times is at 149 Polito Ave., Lyndhurst. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday and 4 p.m. Monday. Tickets cost $62.95 for adults and $36.95 for children younger than 12.

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Image via Pixabay