The Aria of Julie d’Aubigny,
the cross-dressing, sword-fighting, opera singer, wherein she seduces men and women alike, wins numerous duels, must be twice pardoned by the King, and eventually finds true love.
by Monica Cross
directed by Peter Duerst
Content note: This play contains violence, injury, illness, death, sexual harassment, alcohol, period-appropriate drug use, discussion of self harm, discussion of suicidal thoughts, and discussions of grooming. Two short opera arias are sung at loud volume.
The legendary Julie d’Aubigny leads a sensational life: loving deeply, fighting recklessly, and always followed by a chorus of gossips embellishing her actions. How much of the real Julie lives on in the stories we know of her today? This play is a beautiful queer story filled with action, romance, and comedy.
This production of The Aria of Julie d’Aubigny is its world premiere.
Performances
Friday, June 5, 2026 at 8pm
Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8pm
Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 4pm (matinee)
Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 8pm (d’Albert, Florensac, Gossip 1, and Impresario will be understudied)
Friday, June 12, 2026 at 8pm (understudy performance)
Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 8pm
Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 4pm (matinee)
Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 8pm (audience masks required for this performance)
Friday, June 19, 2026 at 8pm (Julie, Gossip 3, Gossip 4, Gentleman, and Mistress will be understudied)
Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 4pm (matinee)
To purchase your tickets before the show, visit our online ticketing system at Ludus or our Tickets page.
A portion of proceeds from this production will be donated to BAGLY, The Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth.
Location
The Aria of Julie d’Aubigny will be presented at Unity Somerville, 6 William Street, Somerville.
The performance space is not wheelchair-accessible.
Parking on William St is by permit only. General parking is available on College Ave. Please read signs carefully to avoid ticketing.
Cast
Emma Picht — JULIE D’AUBIGNY
Timothy LaCroix Meserve — D’ALBERT
Emily Isaac — FLORENSAC
Ted Overholt — D’ARMAGNAC, KING LOUIS XIV
Catherine Bromberg — ROCHOIS, INTENDANT (U/S FLORENSAC)
Robert Thorpe II — THEVENARD
Ari Herbstman — DUMESNIL, DUKE D’ORLEANS
Caroline Aronoff — MOUREAU, LADY (U/S MISTRESS)
Tyler Peláez — IMPRESARIO (U/S GOSSIP 1)
Amelia Smith — MISTRESS (U/S JULIE D’AUBIGNY)
Christian Choumenkovitch — GENTLEMAN (U/S GOSSIP 4)
Noah Babb — GOSSIP 1
Lauren Elias — GOSSIP 2
Kathy Bedard — GOSSIP 3
Addie Pates — GOSSIP 4
Theresa Griffin — GOSSIP 5
Richie DeJesus — U/S D’ALBERT
Lauren Kimball — U/S GOSSIP 3
James Scheffler — U/S GENTLEMAN
Hollis — U/S IMPRESARIO
Production Team
Peter Duerst — Director
Delphine Kaiser — Producer, French Consultant
Alina Ishizaki — Technical Director
Xuan Li Leong — Stage Manager
Shannon Fay — Assistant Stage Manager
Aly Branciforte — Assistant Stage Manager
Richie DeJesus — Fight Director
Pamela Petterchak — Vocal Director, Composer
Elizabeth Ross — Intimacy Director
Jamie Lin — Co-Dramaturg, Publicity Designer
Samuel Zeiberg — Co-Dramaturg
Carolyn Jones — Costumes and Wigs Designer
Hollis — Costumes Assistant
Nick Calow — Lighting Designer
Kris — Assistant Lighting Designer
Marco White — Sound Designer
Juan José Boschetti Muñiz — Assistant Sound Designer
Keisha Warriner — Props Designer
Eli Burrus — Props Assistant
Bey Woodward — Make-up Designer
Emma Sharff — Make-up Assistant
Ari Sylvin — Make-up Assistant
James Scheffler — Lead Carpenter
Chloe Trepanier — Publicity Manager
Lauren Kimball — House Manager
Dan Golden — Assistant House Manager
Zach Bauer — Assistant House Manager
Tal Scully — Consulting Dance Choreographer