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• Monica’s “Other Life”
• LE NEON Theatre
• Pictures and Press Reviews—A Selection
• Public Recognition from the Theatre Community
• Sixteen Theatrical Seasons (1987-2003)

Monica’s “Other Life”

When Monica Neagoy is not wearing her "mathematics hat," she is most often wearing her "theatre hat." Up until June of 2003, in her evening-and-weekend life, she was the artistic co-director of the professional LE NEON Theatre in the Washington D.C. area. She directed 22 productions with Didier Rousselet, artistic director and founder, and also performed in 22. She co-wrote 10 original LE NEON creations and four original adaptations. Productions directed by Mr. Rousselet and Ms. Neagoy received several Helen Hayes nominations and an award. They also received other national and international theatre awards for their work: for example, the 1999 Theatre Lobby's Mary Goldwater Award for Excellence in Artistic Direction, and the 2000 Canadian/ Washington Theatre Partnership Award. In the summer of 2003, after 16 years and over 50 productions, Dr. Neagoy and Mr. Rousselet chose to close LE NEON Theatre to pursue other professional and artistic endeavors.

Ms. Neagoy has also completed her first film, Five Days in Paris, which premiered in April 1994 at The Kennedy Center for the performing arts in DC, as part of the annual FILMFEST DC. She had the lead female role in the film.

 "When it comes to acting style, LE NEON may be the most original company in the area."

Nelson Pressley, The Washington Post

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LE NEON Theatre

LE NEON Theatre was founded in 1987 by French-born actor,

stage director, and doctor in theatrical studies, Didier Rousselet, who worked with Ariane Mnouchkine and other renowned French directors. Monica Neagoy joined LE NEON in 1988 and became co-director in 1992 when LE NEON became a professional theatre company and settled into its own space, a small storefront black-box theatre in North Arlington. In 1997, under the auspices of the Arlington County Cultural Affairs Division, LE NEON opened its 11th season in a spacious, 379-seat, elegant theatre in the heart of Rosslyn called The Rosslyn Spectrum, at 1611 N. Kent Street in Rosslyn. In twelve seasons, LE NEON offered the Washington community 36 productions (a combination of plays, original creations and adaptations) performed in English, French, or a combination of both languages. Over the years, LE NEON Theatre has successfully secured a place for itself on the competitive theatre map of the Nation's Capital, garnering acclaim for its unique art form--stylized acting typified by dance-like physicality--often characterized by the press as Néonesque.

LE NEON Theatre’s Five Tenets (Les Piliers du NEON)

Since its inception in 1987, LE NEON Theatre has been faithful to its founding mission. The mission is defined by six artistic tenets:

• To create a multi-cultural French-American theatre accessible to all audiences;
• To use texts as "pretexts". The selection of texts is not limited to theatrical plays, but includes short stories, novellas, novels or original themes. This variety of literary sources allows for greater creativity in innovative adaptations and original creations;
• To strive for original artistic creation through group reflection, dramatic physicality, and collaborative improvisations;
• To develop a unique, stylized, and highly visual theatre form--essentially a theatre of images--that transcends the barriers of language and culture;
• To explore new ways of using the physical space of the entire theatre, placing the spectators at the heart of the action;
• To provoke the mind, touch the heart, and especially enchant the senses

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Pictures and Press Reviews—A Selection

La Vagabonde

2003

"Le Neon has packed a last look at many of the elements that have made their productions unique into this, the last production before founders Didier Rousselet and Monica Neagoy shut the theater company down in order to move on with their lives in non-theatrical directions. It is a last chance for those who have enjoyed their work in the past to enjoy it again, and for those who have missed the earlier efforts to see some of what all the attention was about. It is more than “a sampler” but its real value is as a souvenir."              

Potomac Stages

"Le Neon bids fond adieu with a sterling production of "La Vagabonde", a cabaret-style presentation with song and mime about the life and loves of the famous French writer, Colette. What a loss for theater audiences of this amazingly creative French/American Company that started in a cubby hole on Lee Highway and moved into larger spaces. Always superb, they have saved the best to the last.... 

This is a highly recommended evening of theater and attendance is probably the best gift to give to Didier Rousselet and Monica Neagoy who provided outstanding leadership to this "swell" company."

 Bob Anthony, Arts Critic

Monica Neagoy (center) with Alisa Bernstein (left) and Ellie Nicoll..    

"Like earlier Le Neon ventures, it encapsulates all the delights ... of the company's performance style, which emphasizes image and physicality.  "La Vagabonde" offers a refreshing break from psychological realism ... It's an interesting history, and seeing Colette's performances re-created is entertaining as well as enlightening ... What it all adds up to is an impressionistic form of theatrical archaeology."                                                                                                                                                                     

The Washington Post

 Monica Neagoy (left) with Didier Rousselet and Dominique Montet

The Man Who Laughs

2002

“LE NEON kicks off its celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of Victor Hugo with a new version of their adaptation of Hugo’s novel of unrequited

“Le Neon has revived its production of “The Man Who Laughs” an adaptation of an 1869 novel by Victor Hugo that pits the forces of good against greed and vice. As they have in other LE NEON productions, directors Monica Neagoy and Didier Rousselet bring their distinctive style of physical theater to the work … The original production netted the Theatre a Helen Hayes Award nomination in 1997 for Outstanding New Play … Rousselet and Neagoy create a piece that is visually interesting, with a series of arresting pictures enhanced by costumes, lighting and a spare set that underscore the sense of a fable.” 

Dolores Whiskeyman, The Washington Post

“Set in 18-th Century London, “The Man Who Laughs” contrasts the cruelty and hedonism of aristocrats with the plight of the masses…Didier Rousselet takes the lead role as Gwynplaine, a descendent of aristocracy who was disfigured as a youth by unscrupulous child buyers. His mouth displays raw gums and teeth from ear to ear … he falls in love with Dea (Monica Neagoy), Ursus’ beautiful blind daughter. Dea cannot see Gwynplaine’s ugliness and loves him for his caring and humanity…Also serving as directors and make-up designers, Rousselet and Neagoy bring tenderness to their roles.”

Brian Trompeter. The Arlington Sun Gazette

Les Cloisons (Performed in French or English on alternating nights)

2001

“Rousselet and Neagoy directed and perform the piece. Rousselet is one of the most gifted physical performers around. Think of a Fred Astaire schooled by a Marcel Marceau … Neagoy is more voluptuous and a bit earthier, and her ability to telegraph thought through posture and movement is a match for his. There is poetry in her timing of the click of a suitcase lock or a pause to listen.”

                                Brad Hathaway, The Arlington Connection 

“In this expressionistic world exploring the tensions between desire and repulsion, LE NEON has found the perfect vehicle for the stylized “theater of images” it seeks to create. As adapted, directed, choreographed and played by LE NEON Artistic Co-directors Didier Rousselet and Monica Neagoy, Languirand’s amusing 1962 play becomes a dance fable; te most revealing moments are those in which nothing is said.”

                                                                                Dolores Whiskeyman, The Washington Post

“Didier Rousselet and Monica Neagoy bring back their gentle gem of a two person encounter … Together, they create a magical connection with a timing that is pure partnership. Her click of a suitcase latch, his had to ear to hear her sound—as the psychic connection between them grows, so does the complexity of their interaction … The company puts on a physical performance style that almost makes language superfluous.”

Potomac Stages

 “Les Cloisons” is a showcase for the considerable talents of Neagoy and Rousselet, whose comic performances sustain interest to the inevitable ending.”

 Dolores Whiskeyman, The Washington Post

Cyrano de Bergerac

1999

This classic, written by Edmond Rostand, was directed by Monica Neagoy and Didier Rousselet.

 "With Cyrano de Bergerac, LE NEON Theatre offers us a story with breadth and depth, and a polished gem of a production.”

 Cheryl Kenny, The Arlington Journal

Monica Neagoy as Roxane, Patrick Sweetman as Christian, and Didier Rousselet as Cyrano de Bergerac (foreground).

Monica Neagoy and Tel Monks as Compte De Guiche in Cyrano de Bergerac

Fascinating French Feast

Fall 1998

An original creation by LE NEON, written and directed by Didier Rousselet and Monica Neagoy.

"Special kudos to LE NEON co-director and actress Monica Neagoy, whose comic abilities have mushroomed. This ravishing, raven-haired woman is barely recognizable and extremely funny as the babbling old granny and one of the odd businessmen, and also as an obnoxious teenager on a picnic with her bourgeois parents."

                        Pamela Summers, The Washington Post

Monica Neagoy (left), Paola Durant (center), and Christine Herzog in Fascinating French Feast.

Jules and Jim

Spring 1998

An original adaptation by LE NEON of Henri-Pierre Roché's novel, Jules et Jim, directed by Monica Neagoy and Didier Rousselet.

"Jewels and Gem, I mean Jules and Jim."

Mary Ryan, The Review

Monica Neagoy (as Kate), John Benoit (left) as Jim and Jon Sherman as Jules 

"Three cheers for this amazing company ... There is not a more creative performing group in this area ... Do give them a try this season ... you'll like their work."

Bob Anthony, Theatre Critic

Salome

1997

This well-known play, inspired by the biblical story of Salome and Saint John the Baptist, was originally written in French by Oscar Wilde (1895). LE NEON’s production was directed by Didier Rousselet and Monica Neagoy.

"Neagoy is a pulsating, passionate Salome and Benoit a wonderfully expressive Iokanaan. We can almost feel the shivers run across his body whenever Salome gets too close."

Monica Neagoy as Salome and John Benoit as Iokanaan

Women and the Forest

1996

"Especially effective are Dominique Montet as the sorceress and Monica Neagoy as the mad woman. The rest of the company are fine in their cinematic-like acting support for which this company is renown."

Bob Anthony, Art Critic

WOMEN AND THE FOREST, Parts I and II, were original LE NEON creations based on texts by Racine, Michelet, Maupassant, and a newspaper article by Le Monde. Part I was co-directed by Didier Rousselet and Dominique Montet; Part II by Didier Rousselet and Monica Neagoy.

 Monica Neagoy as the mad woman in Women and the Forest, Part II

Diane Key, Plays International London