BROOKLYN, NY — Molière in the Park presents the second installment of its free winter reading series of “Don Juan” on Friday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library.
The reading follows a successful Dec. 15 presentation at Prospect Park’s Picnic House, which drew a full audience. Founding Artistic Director Lucie Tiberghien directs the series, which features a translation and adaptation by Stephen Wadsworth.
The ensemble cast includes Keshav Moodliar in the title role. Moodliar’s recent credits include “Prince Fggot” at Studio Seaview, “Henry 6” at The Old Globe, “The Odyssey” at A.R.T. Boston, and “Tartuffe” with Molière in the Park.
Joining him are Kalyne Coleman, known for “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” on Broadway and AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire”; Kaliswa Brewster, who serves as MIP’s Board President and has appeared in “Billions,” “Time After Time,” and “Release”; and Daniel Pearce, whose stage work includes Broadway productions of “Othello” and “Machinal” and Public Theater productions of “Hamlet” and “Mother of the Maid.”
Cellist and composer Johnathan Moore provides live musical underscoring for the reading.
Molière’s “Don Juan” tells the story of a charismatic libertine whose pursuit of pleasure exposes societal hypocrisies. The play premiered nearly 400 years ago and was immediately censored. Wadsworth’s reconstruction aims to restore what he describes as the play’s “original fire.”
The Brooklyn-based theater company produces free, accessible productions of classical theater, primarily in Prospect Park. Previous productions include “Tartuffe,” “The Misanthrope,” “The Miser,” “The Imaginary Invalid,” and “The School for Wives.”
The Jan. 9 reading is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at the company’s website. The event is produced in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance and Brooklyn Public Library.
Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library is located at 10 Grand Army Plaza. For more information, visit moliereinthepark.org.
