A Very Modern Classical Evening with Molière in the Park at Molière in the Park

The Regulars

"Almost two years ago... I was inspired to write a story based on forbidden love and challenged myself to use language in a classically heightened style. Out birthed The Regulars, a story of lovers separated by animosity and bloodshed, obstacles that we are still battling today." - Le'Asha Julius

The Ludicrous Ladies

Les Précieuses Ridicules is a biting comedy of manners that brought Molière and his company to the attention of Parisians, after they had toured the provinces for years. The play received its Paris premiere on 18 November 1659 at the Théâtre du Petit-Bourbon. It was highly successful and attracted the patronage of Louis XIV to Molière and company.

About this pairing

"Pairing The Regulars, a short tragedy in verse by rapper, actor, and playwright Le’Asha Julius with The Ludicrous Ladies, a one act comedy in prose by Molière might appear at first as an exercise in contrast. New versus old, serious versus farcical, political versus domestic… but in content and in form the plays, of course, are neither fully one nor the other. More importantly, despite the time and space that separates their authors, both plays center two impassioned women with complex desires. Desires they fight for, and that may or may not be born exclusively out of the limitations imposed on them by their place in the world. Will this pairing open up an angle of reflection on women’s struggles and how they’ve evolved or persisted? We hope you’ll join us to find out!"
- Lucie Tiberghien

Creative Team:

The Regulars

Playwright & Director -  Le'Asha Julius:  As an actor, Le’Asha is known for her role as Wendy in HBO's "Random Acts of Flyness" and Jasmine in "Still Here" which premiered at The Sundance Film Festival. Le'Asha is also a theatre educator and production manager who has worked with The Public Theater, The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, Howard University, and Carnegie Hall. As a rapper/songwriter, Le'Asha has performed at Black Thought's School of Thought and has opened for several artists including Kendrick Lamar, Salt 'n' Peppa, Noname, and Talib Kweli. 

The Ludicrous Ladies 

Director and Founder of Molière in the Park -  Lucie Tiberghien: A Brooklynite since 2001, Lucie Tiberghien was raised in France and Switzerland. Specializing in new work, Lucie has spent 15 years developing and directing new plays in New York City and all over the country. She directed World Premieres at La Jolla 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. In 2021, she was awarded the prestigious designation of chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres, by the French Government.

CAST 

Waymon Arnette

Waymon Arnette is from Chicago, IL and has worked with Lincoln Center Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons and New York Theatre Workshop. He film and TV acting credits include: “The Equalizer”, “The Following,” “Elementary,”and “Law & Order SVU.” amongst other notable film credits. 

MaYaa Boateng

MaYaa Boateng starred in and originated her role in the Pulitzer Prize winning production, Fairview , by Jackie Sibblies Drury (SoHo Rep); As well as her multiple characters in Shakespeare’s Merry Wives adapted by Jocelyn Bioh (Shakespeare in the Park, The Public); and The Miser (MIP).

Luca Fontaine 

Luca Fontaine, a Paris-born actor of French-Italian heritage, his stage work includes God’s Fool at La MaMa Off-Broadway, directed by Martha Clarke. In 2024, Luca appeared in the American series "Evil" (CBS Studios/Paramount TV), Netflix’s Spanish thriller "La última noche en Tremor" by Oriol Paulo, and the French production "Zorro" for Paramount+. He also made his debut as a writer, producer, and actor with the short film "Blue or Green", showcased this year at the Chelsea Film Festival.

Le'Asha Julius

Le'Asha Julius is an actress, rapper, songwriter and theater educator from Washington D.C. She is known for her role as Wendy in HBO's "Random Acts of Flyness" and Jasmine in "Still Here" which premiered at The Sundance Film Festival.

Lakisha May

Lakisha May is an actor, producer, and advocate. Her acting credits include Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (Broadway), Skeleton Crew (Broadway), The Miser (Molière in the Park).

Keshav Moodliar

Keshav Moodliar is a New York-based actor, born in Pune and raised between Bombay and New Delhi. His acting credits include, Henry 6 (The Old Globe) The Scarlett Letter (Two River Theatre), Tartuffe (Moliere in the Park).

Anne-Sophie Millon De Villeroy

Born and raised in France, Anne-Sophie moved to New York in 2019. Recent NYC credits include: Arlington, The Cherry Orchard, Measure for Measure and The Last Aisle (Bank Street Theatre). Anne-Sophie has written and produced a movie sharing her personal story: ‘’How I left finance to become an actor’’. 

Gil Charleston

Gil Charleston is a New York City based actor who has spent his career on a journey of embodying a vast variety of complex characters including: Booster in Jitney, Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Felonius in This Stretch of Montpelier. Gil can be seen in the film "The Sisters Karas"; streaming on all platforms.

"...Molière has always stood out to me for his brilliant use of language and fun characters. As I began to create more music, I learned the value of storytelling through verse, a skill that affected me mostly through hip-hop and Molière. Almost two years ago, living in my van traveling back and forth between New York and Washington D.C. due to my teaching schedule, I was inspired to write a story based on forbidden love and challenged myself to use language in a classically heightened style. Out birthed The Regulars, a story of lovers separated by animosity and bloodshed, obstacles that we are still battling today." - Le'Asha Julius