Actor Presenting Works of Shakespeare, Dylan Thomas

Whether for the first or the hundredth time, library patrons will enjoy famous and lesser known works of Dylan Thomas and select soliloquies and sonnets by William Shakespeare in the way they were meant to be experienced: live and direct, at the Teaneck Public Library on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. as part of the Isabelle and Sol Hermalyn lecture series, in celebration of April as Poetry Month. Funding for this program was shared by the Teaneck Library and the generosity of the Friends of the Teaneck Library.

Conceived and performed by veteran New York actor and family entertainer David Engel, this literary program promises a lively hour of moving, life-affirming contemplation allowing these rich works to be savored and juxtaposed against a background of thematic music, dimmed lights and flickering (electric) candles. Engel will also present interesting performance concepts and historical trivia of these two enigmatic poets.

David Engel is both a classically trained actor and a full-time variety entertainer with over 20 years of performance experience. During his career, David has had the pleasure of playing on stages across America and throughout the streets of Europe. As a highly versatile actor, David is able to inhabit a wide range of roles from blue collar to white collar to ruffled collar. Engel has performed such roles as Hamlet, Macbeth and Cyrano de Bergerac and has over 30 television, commercial and film credits. 

Additionally, as an award-winning Fight Director, David has staged swashbuckling mayhem and slapstick madness since 1989. He is also a clown. Part Jerry Lewis and part Daffy Duck with a pinch of Jim Carrey and a dash of Buster Keaton. Each year his clown characters entertain thousands of kids and their families at birthdays, block parties and festivals. Adults are equally engaged by David’s stylish Human Statues, Bumbling Waiter character and other high visibility offerings at trade shows, weddings and galas.

Performing as a "Clown Doctor” with The Big Apple Circus’ famed Clown Care Unit, David brings silliness and sanity to pediatric hospitals around New York. 

The public is welcome to attend this free program to be held in the library auditorium and to the coffee and socializing session that precedes it at 10 a.m. 

The library is located at 840 Teaneck Rd. at the corner of Cedar Lane in Teaneck.