Preview: Savannah Rep opens 2024 season with Laura Gunderson's 'The Revolutionists'

The curtains soon will rise on Savannah Repertory Theatre's latest production, "The Revolutionists," a compelling exploration of history, humor and empowerment. Directed by Teresa-Michelle Walker Jackson, the play breathes life into the tumultuous era of the French Revolution.

Featuring a talented cast including Meagan English as Olympe de Gouges, Andrea Frankle as Marie-Antoinette, Emma Starbird as Charlotte Corday, and Zora Umeadi as Marianne Angelle, the production invites viewers to ponder the enduring quest for change and equality.

Jackson shared insights into her inspiration for selecting "The Revolutionists" as the opener for Savannah Rep's 2024 season. "I would like to think that 'The Revolutionists' chose me," Jackson remarked. "Initially, I did not connect with it, but once the play transitioned from comedy to drama, I was sold, and I like the idea of being able to laugh at how ridiculous we can be as a people while still holding ourselves accountable. 'The Revolutionists' does just that."

Jackson hopes audiences will engage in conversations about significant issues highlighted in the play and recognize the resonance of the characters' struggles with contemporary challenges.

Balancing historical accuracy with creative interpretation is a central focus for Jackson. She emphasized the collaborative process and the role of dramaturg Karla Knudsen in deciphering period references. "The language of the play is modern, so I chose to stay close to a synthesized interpretation of knowing the historical references and choosing to align with them, while considering how the audience would receive them."

'The Revolutionists'

Meagan English portrays French playwright and women's rights activist Olympe de Gouges. She discussed the rehearsal process's impact on her understanding of historical events and figures. “Given everything going on in the world today, and all the important conversations we're now having about capitalism, the billionaire class, corporate money in politics, climate change, decolonization, and revolution, working on this play has personally brought up many questions."

English highlighted the play's exploration of feminism and abolitionism during the French Revolution, underscoring the relevance of these themes in contemporary discourse.

Emma Starbird embodies the determined Charlotte Corday, who assassinated revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat. She shared that “comedy can be quite a challenge for me. Instead of chasing laughs, I prefer to embrace the script and delve into the character's essence. Playing Charlotte, a determined yet slightly 'insane' character, has been eye-opening, revealing the natural comedic moments woven into both the character and the script.”

Starbird emphasized authenticity and connecting with the character's essence to effectively connect with the audience.

Zora Umeadi's character of Marianne Angelle serves as a composite of the Black women revolutionaries who protested slavery in what is now modern-day Haiti, the former French Colony of Saint-Domingue.

Umeadi reflected on her character's interactions and their broader themes of empowerment and revolution. “Marianna is the epitome of brevity and strength in this show. As a Black Haitian woman, she fights through societal stereotypes and the constant belittling from people. In this play and through her close-knit relationship with Olympe, it reveals that she is a catalyst for empowerment and encouragement.”

Umeadi underscored Marianne's resilience and strength in challenging societal stereotypes, inviting audiences to bear witness to genuine issues.

Andrea Frankle, in the role of Marie-Antoinette, delved into her character's struggles and motivations, drawing parallels between historical events and contemporary issues.

“The personal connection to the character's struggles and motivations in 'The Revolutionists' is profound, particularly concerning women's rights and equality, disinformation, cancel culture, the dynamics of royalty and the caste system, love, marriage, secrets, trust, autonomy over one's body and voice, societal divisions like the yellow vests versus the elites, motherhood, loss, grief, and the complexities of power and trust. The fact that what they each wanted ― on various levels of hierarchy, yes ― but what they wanted was the same: liberté, égalité, soroité,” said Frankle, highlighting Marie-Antoinette's journey toward understanding equality and the power of speaking one's truth.

Audiences can expect a compelling journey through history's corridors, guided by the courageous voices of women who dared to challenge the status quo and redefine the meaning of revolution.

If you go >>

What: "The Revolutionists"

When: Preview, 8 p.m., Feb. 29; 8 p.m., March 1-2; 8 p.m., March 3; 6:30 p.m., March 8-9; 8 p.m., March 10, 6:30pm

Where: Savannah Repertory Theatre, 402 E. Broughton St.

Tickets: General admission, $45; Senior/military, $38

Info: savannahrep.org/the-revolutionists

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Repertory Theatre opens 2024 season with The Revolutionists