Molière in the Park (MIP), Brooklyn’s home for free world-class theater, invites audiences to an evening of wit, elegance, and generosity with The Ludicrous Ladies, a benefit staged reading celebrating the enduring brilliance of Molière while supporting the company’s mission to expand free access to theater for all.
Taking place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at The Explorers Club in Manhattan (46 East 70th Street). The evening will feature cocktails, hors d’œuvres, and a staged reading of Molière’s sharp and delightful comedy. The event is hosted by Anne-Sophie de Villeroy and Judith Hernstadt, and held under the patronage of the Cultural Counselor of France, Mr. Mohamed Bouabdallah.
The benefit reading will be directed by Lucie Tiberghien, Founding Executive Director of Molière in the Park, and performed by an accomplished cast of actors including: Anne-Sophie- de Villeroy, Emmy Award-winner, Michael Emerson (Saw, Lost and Person of Interest), and Lakisha Michele May (Blue Bloods, City On A Hill, Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order: SVU and others).
In The Ludicrous Ladies, Molière deploys his signature wit and biting humor to critique the absurdities of social climbing, offering a timeless satire on status, fashion, and cultural aspiration. Written in prose, the short comedy reveals how the fashionable “gallant” behavior of the time continues to shape French culture today.
EVENT SCHEDULE
6:30 PM – Cocktails and Buffet
7:30 PM – Staged Reading (45 minutes, no intermission)
8:15 PM – Post-performance cocktails
Tickets are $75.00 and all proceeds from the benefit performance will directly support Molière in the Park’s operating costs and its commitment to paying artists equitable wages, ensuring the continued presentation of free, high-quality theater for diverse audiences across New York City.
EVENT DETAILS
What: The Ludicrous Ladies – Benefit Staged Reading
When: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 6:30–8:15 PM
Where: The Explorers Club, 46 East 70th Street, New York, NY
Tickets ($75.00): https://moliereinthepark.networkforgood.com/events/95055-the-ludicrous-ladies-benefit-performance
For more information about Molière in the Park, visit www.moliereinthepark.org.
###
ABOUT MOLIÈRE IN THE PARK
Molière in the Park (MIP) is a Brooklyn-based, inclusive theater company dedicated to fostering empathy, dialogue, and community through free, accessible productions of classical theater. Founded on the belief that the arts should be available to all, MIP presents professional performances—most notably in Prospect Park—removing economic and social barriers to participation while bringing people together across neighborhoods and backgrounds.
MIP’s programming centers on the works of Molière, presented in contemporary translations and vibrant productions that resonate with modern audiences. Since its founding, the company has produced Molière’s plays annually, including Tartuffe, The Misanthrope, The Miser, The Imaginary Invalid, and The School for Wives, with productions staged both in person and online, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guided by a vision of a Brooklyn where all communities benefit equally from access to the arts, Molière in the Park is committed to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices. The organization’s casting, hiring, and programming decisions reflect these values, prioritizing representation, accessibility, and public engagement at every level of its work.
Molière in the Park offers all performances free to the public and collaborates with local artists, educators, and cultural partners to deepen community connection and expand access to theater across New York City.
For more information, visit https://www.moliereinthepark.org and follow Molière in the Park on Instagram and Facebook @moliereinthepark.