All The World's A Stage, Even Your Local Library Branch

It took a bestselling author, a critically acclaimed Shakespearean troupe, a handful of hardworking volunteers and a community of curious attendees to turn an ordinary Wednesday night at the Carroll Gardens Library into a showcase for myth and magic.

And if you weren’t there at An Evening with Author Phillips at the Carroll Gardens Library November 2, you missed it.

Local resident – and bestselling novelist – Arthur Phillips presented his latest novel, The Tragedy of Arthur, to a crowd of approximately 50 in the library’s auditorium, which had been transformed (albeit just for an evening) into a low-lit, intimate setting for literature and drama. And he generously brought along his friends, the indie theater company Guerrilla Shakespeare Project.

Phillips’ latest book explores the theme of the author’s “con artist father” discovering what may – or may not -- be a play about King Arthur penned by William Shakespeare himself.  Both Phillips and the Troupe presented readings to an engaged audience, which included Assemblywoman Joan Millman and a representative from Councilmember Brad Lander's office, Rachel Goodman. Signed books by the author were available for purchase at the end of the evening.

Area residents were thrilled with the evening (according to all reports and incidental gossip overheard!) – and also the promise of future events organized by the Friends of the Carroll Gardens Library, chartered just this spring and already hosting several community events at the library in an effort to create a new hub for the community.

As the Secretary of the Friends of the Carroll Gardens Library group, I could present a behind-the-curtains peek at the laborous work it took a few committed volunteers to bring the evening together. But I won’t! I can say as a spokesperson for our group that we’re exhausted, happy, and hope this is only the beginning for future exciting events.  

And what’s that you say? How can you learn about the upcoming future events? You can stay in touch with us by friending us on Facebook, following us on Twitter or reading our blog.