The Big Book of Moliere Monologues: Hilarious Performance Pieces From Our Greatest Comic Playwright

As a coach for prospective, serious, college musical theater and dramatic theater students, I highly recommend this book. College applications always ask for two songs (up-tune and a ballad) and/or two monologues (contemporary and a classical). For the classical one, Shakespeare is so often the choice. While there is no question about the greatness of a Shakespeare monologue, college-entrance committees would be refreshed by an alternative that has equal quality and are just al "plucky". This book has it: Moliere! I recently tried some Moliere monologues out (from this book) on three of my college-bount prospectives. All three were accepted! For two of the three (for a college in California and for one in Manhattan) it was hands-down because of their Moliere! Both returned to me with comments from their judges: "Thank you for the Moliere" and "Moliere! Great choice!" Loren F. Salter

This book was a LIFE SAVER for the advanced drama class I teach. Timothy Mooney's information on Moliere and his life and works is the perfect way to start the Moliere unit before we even get to the plays. Completely and totally recommend this book!

I first saw Mr. Mooney perform his one man show, Moliere Than Thou, at my college in the fall. After his performance had me gripping my sides, I decided that I had to delve further into the author of Moliere.Before Mr. Mooney's performance, I knew neither hide nor hair of Moliere, but I soon found myself enthusiastically reading biographies of him and his plays; I was eager to have more. This book provided me the perfect accompaniment to my study of research of Moliere - it has a fabulous collection of some of Moliere's most hilarious pieces written creatively for the current actor. The book not only worked well for me with my Moliere quest, but also provides a large source of audition pieces (when they say Big Book of Moliere Monologues, they mean BIG).The book covers a broad sweep of Moliere's plays and gives descriptions about each character and piece presented, although as an aspiring actor myself I do suggest one read the whole play before performing the monologues for an audition. This book can however help you find the perfect monologue for multiple purposes before you go searching through every single play out there.Overall, a wonderful book that presents truly some of the funniest pieces I have read. Albeit presenting a small challenge to those not used to Moliere, this book provides a good introduction and explanation of how to approach his pieces.Highly suggested for fans of classical comedy and actors who wish to gain an edge on the acting world. Enjoy!

Mr. Mooney has presented "Moliere Than Thou," his performance opus on the French actor/playwright, for many, many years at high schools, colleges, universities, and theaters of all sizes. This newest text is the best of his teachings, lectures, and demonstrations in print form. While there is no substitute for seeing Mr. Mooney perform live, this is certainly a terrific companion piece to his stage work. Mooney's exhaustive research, scholarship, and experience performing the plays of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin has made him one of the world's leading experts on Moliere. "The Big Book of Moliere Monologues" encapsulates much of that research and scholarship and is invaluable to anyone interested in the "nuts and bolts" of 17th century French Comedy traditions as well as an understanding how these works would have been performed. My best advice: buy this book and then bring Mr. Mooney to your institution or venue to see him bring the book to life!

Can contemporary actors relate to Moliere? Not always. They can, however, with this book. Mooney does an expert job at breaking through the barriers to understanding many of us modern actors face when it comes to classical theatre.If you are an actor, GET THIS BOOK and USE IT! Mooney's insight on the featured monologues will help you impress at classical auditions and when working with material from the 17th Century.If you aren't an actor, but you're interested in Moliere, get it! Mooney's insightful descriptions into the source material and the life of the man himself are illuminating. I learned so much just watching his show at the 2012 Orlando Fringe Festival and reading his book afterward. It's a great value and is packed full of information, yet it's a manageable volume.

Tim Mooney is BRILLIANT! If you've contemplated purchasing his book, it is time to hit "add to cart"! This extremely well-written book is filled with hilarious moliere monologues. His other book, Acting at the Speed of Light, is also outstanding. Teaching amateur AND experienced actors some of his tips and tricks, his extreme detail and various examples make for a great textbook or leisurely read.My major is psychology and acting isn't my biggest passion; however, I can never turn down one of Tim Mooney's performances. Moliere Than Thou, one of his many one-man plays, will keep you on the edge of your chair, with chills and laughter, throughout his entire show. If you can get him to perform at your school, DO IT! DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!!!

While having the privilege to see Tim Mooney on stage performing his show "Moliere Than Thou" is a wonderfully exhilarating treat, his book of translations is a riveting introduction to Moliere and his work. The translations done by Tim Mooney are incredibly faithful to the spirit of the plays, requiring much creativity on the part of the translator. Indeed, Mooney was able to put into verse even those works that had been originally written in prose and the effect is outstanding. That said, if you can get him to come to your school for a show, grab him!

For those who study and perform the works of Moliere and even Big Bill this book is a must. It takes you step by step through everything you need to know to become better at the craft, better at the art of performance.