BWW Interviews: Aedin Moloney Stars in Shakespeare Theater of N J's A MOST DANGEROUS WOMAN

A Most Dangerous Woman, written by Cathy Tempelsman and directed by Tony-Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr. explores the extraordinary life of Mary Ann Evans - better known by her pen name George Eliot. As an outcast, living a socially unconventional life, Mary Ann Evans was forced to write under the assumed name of George Eliot to escape having her work judged by her gender, and to avoid having it judged by virtue of her scandalous life. The show begins performances on September 18th at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage and runs through October 12th.

Aedin Moloney is making her Shakespeare Theatre debut in the lead role as George Eliot. Moloney is the founder and artistic director of The Fallen Angel Theatre Company in New York City. Among her many theatrical credits, she starred in Airswimming at Irish Rep/Fallen Angel Theatre and played Rose in the 20th Anniversary production of Dancing at Lughnasa at Irish Rep. She recently completed a recording of Molly Bloom's soliloquy from James Joyce's Ulysses in collaboration with Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains.

Moloney calls the opportunity to play the role of George Eliot an "honor." She describes the character as a "brave and courageous woman for her time, living in the victorian era - a predominantly male dominated world." The role is a complex one which blends Eliot's inner struggles and passions as a writer and her 20 year relationship with George Lewes (performed by Shakespeare Theatre veteran, Ames Adamson), who deeply influenced and enabled Eliot to create many of her acclaimed novels. Moloney says that this George Eliot is "open, honest and raw" and her story is one that many people may relate to.

Eliot's acclaimed novels include Adam Bede, Middlemarch, The Mill on the Floss and Silas Marner. Moloney did an intense amount of research for the role which included re-reading all of the novels that she had once read as a young teen. She also read Eliot's letters and journals. She describes Eliot as a "genius" and a "philosopher."

Aedin Moloney said that working at The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey is a "joyous experience" and called it "one of the best regional theaters in the country." Moloney said that her castmates are all extremely skilled and talented actors. She also pointed out that the theater, helmed by the extraordinary Bonnie Monte, has exceptionally high standards. Moloney looks forward to the public's reception of A Most Dangerous Woman and said, "I know that the audience will connect with George Eliot and the challenges she faced to create her astounding body of work".

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's largest professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

A Most Dangerous Woman will be performed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Sundays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. For tickets, call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Photo Credit: Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

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