Family
by Gaël Octavia
Translated by Lucie Tiberghien
Translated by Katharine Woff
The Imaginary Cuckold
by Molière
Translated by Richard Wilbur
Directed by Lucie Tiberghien
In Partnership with
We would also like to thank our major season supporters: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Samira Wiley, Elizabeth and Jonathan Weiswasser, The de Groot Foundation, and The Evelyn Sharp Foundation.
We also thank everyone — donors, volunteers, artists, staff, patrons, and press — who has contributed to MIP's success.
About the Shows
What happens when you pair a drama by a contemporary French-Caribbean woman known as Gaël Octavia with a farce by a 17th century man known as Molière? A night at the theater in 17th century France often meant seeing two very different plays, back-to-back. Molière in the Park is leaning into this tradition with their pairing, even if both plays, in their own unexpected ways, wrestle with identity, truth, secrets, gender, sexuality and control.
Synopses
Family
In Gaël Octavia’s fever dreamlike FAMILY, a trapped wife, a closeted queer husband, and their young children unravel under the weight of “maintaining the facade.” What is the disease that spreads through us and our families when social conventions of any kind force us into hiding?
The Imaginary Cuckold
In Molière’s farce, THE IMAGINARY CUCKOLD, a tiny innocuous event gives birth to a virus called paranoia that contaminates all the characters in the story like a formidable wildfire. Within no time, all have lost their mind and become “imaginary cuckolds.”
Creative Team
Director — Lucie Tiberghien (she/her): A Brooklynite since 2001, Lucie Tiberghien 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. Bringing free theater and the works of Molière to Brooklyn was a longtime 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.
Producer — Garth Belcon (he/him): An independent feature film Writer and Producer, and a theater Producer and Production Manager, Garth was raised in the Bronx but has called Brooklyn home for more than 15 years. Garth is honored to be a part of bringing Molière and the funny, biting, brilliant social commentary of his work, to Brooklyn and all of NYC annually. Garth is the Co-Founding Executive Producer of MIP.
Playwright — Gaël Octavia (she/her): Born in Fort-de-France, Martinique, in 1977, Gaël Octavia has been living and working in Paris since 1995. Trained as a scientist, she is a self-taught jack-of-all-trades who writes novels, poetry, theatre, short stories and screenplays, paints, makes short fiction films... Her texts are marked by Martinique society, in which she grew up, while addressing universal themes such as migrants, family, identity and the female condition. Her plays have been read and performed in France, the United States, the Caribbean, Reunion Island, Africa... Her first novel, La fin de Mame Baby (Gallimard) received the special mention of the jury of the 2017 Wepler Prize. Her latest publications are a play, Rhapsodie (Lansman Editeur), created par Abdon Fortuné Koumbha, and a novel, La bonne histoire de Madeleine Démétrius
(Gallimard), both released in 2020.
Composer — Postell Pringle
Production Stage Manager — Madison Lane (she/her): is thrilled to be working with Molière in the Park again! Previous shows with MIP include: Tartuffe; The Misanthrope (2020); The Misanthrope (2019). Other virtual projects: A Doll’s House Pt. 2 [Stella Adler Studio]; I, My Ruination by Kevin Artigue, Bust by Zora Howard, The Hystericals by Edith Freni, Moses by Michele Lowe [Cape Cod Theater Project]; King Lear [New York Classical]. Thank you for watching and for supporting artists!
Press Representative —David Gibbs (he/him): David is the founder of DARR Publicity, a boutique press agency specializing in theater, dance, music-driven shows and unique theatrical experiences. Clients include The Amoralists, Company XIV, Ice Factory Festival, La MaMa, Molière in the Park, New Ohio Theatre and PTP/NYC. David has publicized shows at many Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway venues throughout NYC. His clients have won Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Obie and Off Broadway Alliance Awards. www.DarrPublicity.com
Cast and Characters
*Kaliswa Brewster (she/her) — The Teacher in Family and Célie (Gorgibus' Daughter) in The Imaginary Cuckold: Kaliswa has recurred on Showtime’s BILLIONS, ABC’s series TIME AFTER TIME, and RELEASE. Film credits include PATERNO for HBO Films starring Al Pacino, the feature film PAINT directed by Michael Walker, and THE BIT PLAYER for PBS. Guest star and other television credits include CBS’ GOD FRIENDED ME, BLUE BLOODS, Netflix’s DAREDEVIL & CBS’ UNFORGETTABLE. She has worked onstage at Hartford Stage, The Guthrie Theater, and others. Kaliswa holds an MFA from American Conservatory Theater & a Certificate in Classical Theater from LAMDA in London.
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*Lizzy Brooks (she/her) — Ensemble in Family and Lélie (A Young Woman in Love with Célie) in the Imaginary Cuckold: Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Lizzy is an actor, singer and screenwriter. She moved to New York City to pursue an undergraduate degree at Columbia University. Her highlights include The Storied Life of AJ Fikry (BCDF Pictures), Julius Caesar (The Hanover Theater), Storming Heaven (Playwrights Horizons), Diablo Love (SummerStage - Shakespeare in the Park), Hostages (NBC) and Hairspray (RCL). In Jan 2022, she will be in the upcoming production of As You Like It at Milwaukee Repertory. She is so excited to be back with this Moliere in the Park team, reading the Family and The imaginary Cuckold! As always, thanks to her family, who is her constant support and inspiration. Instagram: @lizzy__brooks
*Alanna Darby (she/they) — Narrator/Ensemble in Family and Célie's Maid in The Imaginary Cuckold: Alanna Darby is a trans-femme actor, singer, and playwright. Recently she played Drusilla in Dracula at Actors Theater of Louisville. Regional credits: American Conservatory Theater, Berkeley Rep, SF Playhouse, and Santa Cruz Shakespeare. Favorite past roles include Russian Soldier/ Narrator in Arms and the Man (dir. by Coleman Domingo) and Jackie-O in House of Yes (dir. Lavina Jadhwani). Alanna's musical queer fantasia, The Princeling, which they wrote, produced, and starred in is available on her website www.alannadarby.com B.A. at USC, M.F.A at ACT. @alannastarby
*Lisa Gorlistky (she/her) — Ensemble in Family and Sganarelle’s Wife in The Imaginary Cuckold: Lisa began her professional career at the age of seven, and has been seen in numerous Primetime and Daytime television series, movies made for television, feature films and national advertising campaigns, as well as various theater productions launched at Manhattan Theatre Club and The Atlantic Theater. In addition to her acting credits, Lisa is a professional fitness and shoe model, working with many fashion houses in New York City, and also devotes much of her time to organizing and fundraising for community and educational efforts. Lisa's most significant role, however, is as mother to her two wonderful children. Lisa Gorlitsky is very pleased to be working with Molière in the Park. She wishes to thank her family and friends for their love and support.
*Nate Miller (he/him) —The Father and The Boy in Family and Gorgibus/Gros-René ( Lélie's Valet): Nate Miller is a Brooklyn based Actor/Producer & founding member of Lesser America Theatre Co. A Milwaukee native, he is a graduate of Marquette University & The Juilliard School’s Drama Division. Broadway: “JUNK” at LCT. Off Broadway: “India Pale Ale”, “Ripcord”, “Of Good Stock” at MTC, “Love and Information” at NYTW, “Peter and The Starcatcher” at New World Stages. Regional: Actors Theatre of Louisville, La Jolla Playhouse, Playmakers Rep, The Wilma Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center. FILM: Either Side of Midnight, Another Kind. TV: The Code, The Goodwife (CBS), Us & Them (FOX)www.iamnatemiller.com www.lesseramerica.com @iamnatemiller
*Samira Wiley (she/her) — The Mother and The Girl in Family and Sganarelle in The Imaginary Cuckold: Samira Wiley currently plays Moira on Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale", a role that earned her an Emmy win, four Emmy nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination. She is also well known for her SAG Award winning performance as inmate Poussey on "Orange Is the New Black". Wiley will soon be seen in the upcoming film "Untitled Soldier Project” alongside Jennifer Lawrence. Wiley's past film credits include "Breaking News in Yuba County”, opposite Allison Janney, "Detroit", "Social Animals”, "37", "Nerve", "Rob The Mob", "Being Flynn","The Sitter" and "Vault". Additional television credits include a starring role on YouTube Red's comedy series "Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on TV", recurring roles on “You're the Worst” and “Unforgettable”. Wiley starred in the Off-Broadway play "Daphne's Dive", directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton), and the Theatre of War's production "Antigone in Ferguson". She is Co-Producer for the current Broadway hit “Thoughts of a Colored Man.” She is a graduate of The Juilliard School.
*Denotes member of the Actors’ Equity Association
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.
Who We Are
MIP's Mission
We believe provocative and high caliber theater performed in public spaces and available to all, has the power to unite communities. It affords everyone who wishes to participate, an opportunity to reflect, rejoice, see each other, and share. Moliere in the Park was born out of the desire to meet Brooklynites in their backyard and offer a space, within an already wonderfully rich park, where all would feel invited to take part.
Molière in the Park was created in Fall 2018. Our goal is to bring high-quality English language productions of Molière’s timely masterpieces as well as contemporary plays that focus on language and question today's world to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park annually, free of charge.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
The Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside is the largest and most ambitious project in Prospect Park since its creation nearly 150 years ago. Spanning 26 acres, this $74 million restoration by the Prospect Park Alliance transformed the southeast corner of the Park into a popular scenic and recreational destination. Since opening in 2013, the LeFrak Center has become a year-round community destination welcoming more than 200,000 visitors each year.
Prospect Park Alliance
Prospect Park Alliance is the non-profit organization that sustains "Brooklyn's Backyard," working in partnership with the City of New York. The Alliance was founded in 1987 to help restore Prospect Park after a long period of deterioration and decline. Today, the Alliance provides critical staff and resources that keep the park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that call Brooklyn home. The Alliance cares for the woodlands and natural areas, restores the park's buildings and landscapes, creates innovative park destinations, and provides free or low-cost volunteer, education and recreation programs.