LEWISTON — Four beautiful, badass women are reimagined as the heroes of the French Revolution in the Maine Premiere of the passionate and provocative new comedy “The Revolutionists,” playing Oct. 20 through Oct. 29 at The Public Theatre, 31 Maple St. Think Tina Fey and gal pals in big wigs and corsets as these smart, sassy and inspiring women turn his-tory into her-story.
“The Revolutionists” is a brutal comedic quartet about four very real women who lived boldly in France during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror (1793-1794). Playwright Olympe De Gouge, assassin Charlotte Corday, Queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, lose their heads, and try to beat back the extremist insanity surrounding them as they go about changing the world. “This unlikely ‘sisterhood of heroes’ is a true celebration of women,” says Director Christopher Schario.
“This is a wonderfully wild and powerful play, with a timely message that I’m very excited to share with our audience,” says Schario. “Although the play is set in 18th-century France, modern America is very clearly reflected in the playwright’s use of contemporary language, anachronisms and humor to pack a profound punch.”
Author Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in America, is considered to be one of the most exciting young voices writing for today’s theater. She says, “Comedy can trick you into coming way closer to a hard topic than drama can. Making someone laugh invites them into the conversation; it equates us as people as opposed to dividing us by ideology.”
In addition to the theater’s highly successful free pre-show wine tasting, “Wine-DownThursday” (courtesy of Rail’s Restaurant and The Vault), the theater will launch “Opening Night BREWHaHa” on Friday, Oct. 20, for “The Revolutionists.” Opening Night BREWHaHa will feature a free pre-show beer sampling, courtesy of Baxter Brewing on the first performance of all plays in the subscription series.
The four professional actresses comprising this dynamic quartet will be Robyne Parrishas Marie Antoinette, Janet Mitchko as Olympe De Gouge, Sherill Turner as Charlotte Corday, and Shamika Cotton as Marianne Angelle. Shamika might be recognized by audiences for her controversial portrayal of Michael’s drug-addicted mother (Raylene Lee) on HBO’s “The Wire.”
The gorgeous costumes for “The Revolutionists” will be designed by Anne Collins, sets by John Ervin and lighting by Jim Alexander.
The Revolutionists will be performed at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn’s Professional Theatre, Oct. 20 through 29, Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. with a second matinee Saturday, Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. Tickets: $20 Adults, $17 groups, $5 for 18 and under. For tickets visit thepublictheatre.org or call 782-3200.
“The Revolutionists” is playing Oct. 20 through Oct. 29 at The Public Theatre.
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