←Recommendations of 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.

Julie d’Aubigny’s life has become fodder for half-truths, exaggerations, and outright fabrications. Monica Cross acknowledges the myths and legends through five gadfly gossips who act as an incorrigible and unruly Greek Chorus, and then returns the narrative to the flawed, yet deeply principled human at its center. While lengthy, the play consistently intrigues and entertains, then wallops you with one of the most emotionally intimate, vulnerable, and moving love stories I have read in quite some time. A perfect play for colleges and universities.

A "duelist [who has] never lost a duel. A lover ever attentive to [her] beloved [who has] hidden these features within the uncut gem of [her] wild and reckless behavior." A brilliant historical figure brought to life by Monica Cross in a fast-paced, action-filled, easy to stage historical romance. Well done!

D’Aubigny had always been one of my favorite historical figures! Monica Cross does a fantastic job of telling the incredible story of a most incredible human being.

Julie D’Aubigny’s story is fascinating, a natural for stage and film; her 17th century exploits as a cross-dressing swords(wo)man lend themselves to epic, swashbuckling, and romantic storytelling. Monica Cross, like D'Aubigny, has a wonderfully individual style, and her ability to bring a sense of magical wonder to D’Aubigny’s already highly theatrical tale gives her work here an edge over most other iterations of this story. It’s long, yes, but endlessly fascinating, and moves so rapidly it makes for a most exciting read, and I imagine will be equally as exciting to see performed.

Epically thrilling and full of all the good stuff! Excitement, music, romance, sword fights, and some seriously juicy roles for women. Absolute fun for actors, audiences, designers. Do yourself a favor and enjoy this rollercoaster of a history lesson!

D'Aubigny might well become a new Cyrano with her passionate loves, duels, and expansive career across Europe. She is a meaty and challenging role, and is not the only role like that in the play. Monica Cross offers a wonderful look at a sensational life. It reminds this reader of Cyrano, Les Liaisons, but, most of all, As You Like It.

My favorite line:

"I do not want someone in my bed who would not fight at my side."

The Mademoiselle is my kind of triple threat: Must act, Must sing, Must Fight.

This is delightfully charismatic and masterful writing. I shall not commit the injustice of calling Lady d'Aubigny "sensational," but this play, in the most marvelous and praising sense, is. Cross has written an actor's (and costumer's) playground, and I cannot recommend it enough. The Gossips are especially brilliant, not only a clever device to fill in (and play with) the historical gaps, but a Chorus that transform the story into a Greek epic, elevating the cast of characters while also revealing the heroes within as truly human people, looking for a way through life like the rest of us. Amazing.

Julie D'Aubigny may be one of the most appealing capital-C Characters ever: ever-confident, supremely skilled, quick-witted, and ruled by many passions. Even in the 21st century, she would have made quite the joyful spectacle.

Monica Cross does D'Aubigny's tale justice by creating a play that may be as brisk, theatrical, and wry as the protagonist herself. I look forward very much to the further development of "... Julie D'Aubigny/finds true love."

What a dynamic, complex, riveting play! I was fortunate enough to hear a reading of this piece in development and it swept me up into a world of intrigue and romance. D'Aubigny's story needs to be told and this play brings her to life in a way that is relevant and relatable. The final moments of the play are so beautiful. I was truly moved, even in the simple setting of a virtual reading. I cannot wait to see how Cross further brings this vision to life!