MIP's FIRST EVER Comedy-Ballet comes to BRIC March 6th!
Artwork by Katya Kirillova
Join us March 6th, 7PM for a free staged reading of The Imaginary Invalid, presented in partnership with BRIC!
The Imaginary Invalid, Molière’s last play, was originally written as an immersive Comedy-Ballet where theater, dance, and music are intertwined. Gravely ill while writing and performing this play, Molière explores the fear of death and the exploitation it can breed through his infinitely witty dialogue and in-your-face satire.
Molière in the Park’s work-in-process staged reading will feature 6 to 8 actors as well as, for the first time in MIP history, both original choreography by FlexN dancer Cal Hunt and music by cellist Johnathan Moore!
“We look forward to using our time at BRIC to investigate what a 21st century American version of this 17th century French comedy-ballet might look like. Our goal is to mount Molière’s play – which paints the farcical portrait of a powerful man whose household falls to pieces when he succumbs to his uncontrollable fears – in a way that reimagines the spirit with which it was originally created: to entertain and spread laughter, and reaffirm a central belief of Molière’s legacy: Far from being harmless, art and entertainment can cure many ailments.” – Lucie Tiberghien
Presented as part of the BRIC Stoop Share, a community engagement initiative that provides nonprofit organizations and artists in Brooklyn and New York City with access to BRIC’s unique venue.
Photos by Ellen Qbertplaya, courtesy of BRIC
Meet Cal Hunt
Cal Hunt, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, is known worldwide as a dancer, choreographer, director and FlexN ambassador. Although his life as a dancer began at the age of seven, it was in 2015 at the Park Avenue Armory, alongside Peter Sellars, that the world took a closer look at his art. He is currently the lead choreographer on Peter Sellars’ production of Castor et Pollux at The National Opera of Paris.
Cal Hunt has created dance pieces about pain and loss, and places the idea of surviving through dance at the heart of his approach. He travels the world performing, including in music videos with artists such as Lous and the Yakuza. In 2019, he choreographed and performed a solo for the Opéra national de Paris production of Les Indes galantes.
As part of a program at The Shed (NYC) cultural center, he teaches dance in public schools. He is currently artistic director of It's Showtime NYC, a non-profit organization created by Dancing in the Streets for New York street dancers.
Cast
Heidi Armbruster – BELINE
Tsilala Brock – TOINETTE
Bjorn DuPaty – DIAFOIRUS/BERALDE
Yonatan Gebeyehu – CLEANTE
Russell G. Jones – ARGAN
Naomi Lorrain – THOMAS/PURGON/DE BONNEFOI
Michelle Veintimilla – ANGELIQUE
Team
Director/Translator: Lucie Tiberghien
Line Producer: Molly FitzMaurice
Composer/Cellist: Johnathan Moore
Choreographer/Dancer: Cal Hunt
Meet Lucie Tiberghien
A Brooklynite since 2001, Lucie was raised in France and Switzerland. Specializing in new work, Lucie spent 15 years developing and directing new plays in New York City and all over the country. She directed World Premieres at LaJolla Playhouse, CATF, Second Stage, Rattlestick Theater, Arena Stage, Hartford Stage, Kansas City Rep, Manhattan Class Company and more. As a translator and adapter, Lucie’s work has been produced in Paris and in New York. Bringing free theater and the works of Molière to Brooklyn was a long time dream which she is thrilled has become a reality.
In 2021, she was awarded the prestigious designation of chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres, by the French Government.
Meet Johnathan Moore
New Haven, CT based cellist, composer Johnathan “Akuma” Moore takes an unorthodox approach to constructing his music compositions that incorporate a range of musical influences and techniques. His original electric cello piece, "Journey" received 1st place in the 2014 Yale School of Music Solo Competition. He received a BA in Music at Southern Connecticut State University, along with the Mike Moss Memorial Award For Excellence Music. This led to Johnathan performing in partnership with New Haven Symphony Orchestra as a soloist at the Shubert Theatre & Arts & Ideas Festival in New Haven.
Recent performances/residencies collaborating with It’s Showtime NYC include Works & Process at the Guggenheim, Alice Tully Hall, Works & Process at SummerStage, Symphony Space, Bridge Street Theatre, LMCC/Governors Island and Florida State University Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography. Many other performances and accomplishments came about due to Johnathan's unorthodox style in cello.
WE THANK ALL OUR MAJOR SUPPORTERS!
THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED, IN PART, BY PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY COUNCIL. This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. This program is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Thank you to all of our donors!
Including: Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Evelyn Sharp Foundation,
The American Society of The French Legion of Honor, The Richenthal Foundation.
Angel Producer: Thomas Kail. Season Producer: Samira Wiley. Visionary Producers: Jon and Elizabeth Weiswasser, Sybilla and Alex Balkanski, and Carter Redwood. Executive Producers: Puth Family Foundation, Stephan Haimo and Veronica Bulgari, Nikola and Dana Duravcevic, Mimi O'Donnell, Producers: Mary Vines. Bill and Judy Steul, Associate Producer: Jenny Allen
Sponsors: The Araca Group, The Ryan and Ryan Team
We wish to express our gratitude to the Performers’ Unions: ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS, AMERICAN GUILD OF VARIETY ARTISTS, SAG-AFTRA through Theatre Authority, Inc. for their cooperation in permitting the Artists to appear on this program.