Afternoon au théâtre

At The French Library Get Directions

Join us for a very special one-man show about Vincent van Gogh and the years he spent creating masterpieces in the South of France. Ted Zalewski invites us to a makeshift café at the Center where we'll become immersed in the life of the man who painted the most memorable sunflowers and café scenes in modern art.

Event in English.

To make the most of this experience, don't forget to sign up for the educational workshop for members immediately before this event!

Members+ 1 Guest/Member

$15*

*No refunds will be given for this event.

About Ted Zalewski

Ted Zalewski holds degrees from the University of Illinois, Chicago, Loyola University, and a combined degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Sloan School, MIT. A former secondary school and college educator, Ted has taught on the faculties of Lesley University and the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Author of biographies for young readers and one-person historical performances, Ted is the foremost interpreter of Theodore Roosevelt in America. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists.

About Vincent: A Portrait by the Postman Roulin

The scene is simple: Two chairs and a table, a baguette in a country basket, a bottle of peasant wine, two glasses, a corncob pipe. We are in a café in Auvers, France. The year is 1890. Joseph Roulin, the Postman, comes forward and sits in one of the chairs. For the next hour, the Postman captures the spirit of van Gogh the man and the essence of van Gogh the artist. The Postman, written and embodied by Ted Zalewski through extensive research into van Gogh’s life and letters, is filled with humor, passion, and joie de vivre.

Praise for Vincent: A Portrait by the Postman Roulin

"In the most natural style, Mr. Zalewski creates the atmosphere of a French cafe in 1890… he crafts a very human, very moving story…(our audience) raved about the experience…Mr. Zalewski was a joy to work with and a consummate professional." Terry Byrne, Boston Globe theater critic

"Bravo! for keeping us at the edge of our seats. Merci beaucoup! " Alliance Francaise de Providence

Upcoming Events

See All Upcoming Events

Social & Community

Online Conversation Club

Online event in French

Friday, October 2, 2026

Seeking opportunities to speak French? Join us online for our popular members-only conversation gathering.

Kids & Families

L'Heure du Conte

French story time!

Saturday, October 3, 2026

We invite parents and children to gather in the children's room of our library for a magical story time in French!

Talks & Discussions

The Frenchmen: French Theory from Paris to America

Emily Eakin in Conversation with Bruno Perreau

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Join critic and essayist Emily Eakin and MIT professor Bruno Perreau for a lively conversation about The Frenchmen and how French theory captivated America, transformed intellectual life, and continues to shape today’s culture wars.

See All