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This past weekend, was the opening performance of The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson in Festival Theatre's intimate Black Box space on Main Street. The smaller venue immediately draws the audience into the world of the play, creating the feeling that you're not simply watching history unfold; you are sitting in the room with these remarkable women as they wrestle with impossible choices.

The production begins in darkness, accompanied only by the sound of breath, creating an eerie and somber atmosphere. That tension is delightfully shattered by Jaclyn June Johnson as playwright and activist Olympe de Gouges. Johnson delivers a powerhouse performance, effortlessly balancing sharp comedy with emotional vulnerability. Because the play revolves around Olympe attempting to write the very story we seem to be watching, Johnson serves as both narrator and participant, navigating the show's playful, meta-theatrical structure with confidence and charm.

She is joined by Mikayla Keyes as Marianne Angelle, a revolutionary fighting for equality and freedom. Keyes provides a steady emotional anchor amid the whirlwind energy surrounding her. Her grounded, heartfelt performance creates the perfect counterbalance to the larger personalities onstage, giving the production much of its emotional weight.

Anna Pladson enters as Charlotte Corday, bringing fierce determination and an infectious sense of purpose to the infamous assassin. Pladson's performance frequently had me laughing, but it is in the show's final moments that she truly shines. As Charlotte searches for the perfect final words for Olympe, the scene transforms into one of the evening's most moving exchanges, reminding the audience of the lasting power of language and legacy.

Rounding out the quartet cast is Lindsey Fry as Marie Antoinette, whose performance is an absolute delight. Fry is wonderfully funny, bringing a playful whimsy to the queen while never allowing her to become a caricature. Whether gleefully entertaining herself with a catlike love of ribbons or confronting her own mortality, Fry reveals surprising depth beneath the extravagance of royalty. By the time Marie ascends the guillotine, the laughter has given way to genuine heartbreak.

These richly realized performances are elevated by the direction and choreography of Kim Longhi, whose work gives the production remarkable rhythm and fluidity. Longhi masterfully balances the script's rapid-fire humor with its sobering reflections on justice, courage, and sacrifice, allowing neither tone to overpower the other.

The visual experience is equally impressive. 

Walter Lab's elegant scenic design provides a striking backdrop that allows the actors to create vivid stage pictures throughout the performance. Kim Murphy and Arje Wilson's costume design deserves special recognition as well. Their costumes blend period silhouettes with contemporary fashion sensibilities, creating a distinctly French aesthetic that feels both historical and refreshingly modern, perfectly matching Gunderson's script.

By the final curtain, you will have laughed, cried, and, perhaps most importantly, reflected on what causes are truly worth standing up for. That is the power of great theatre. 

The Revolutionists reminds us that with only four actors, a thoughtful script, and a talented creative team, a stage can become a place to examine courage, conviction, and the enduring importance of using one's voice.

The performance concluded with a full standing ovation, and we expect this response to continue throughout the run. One final recommendation: if you have the opportunity, consider attending one of the understudy performances as well. Hannah Vath and Iz Walsh are both exceptional performers, and from everything I've heard, their interpretations of Olympe de Gouges and Charlotte Corday offer compelling reasons for a return visit.  

If you're looking for a production that will make you laugh, move you, and leave you thinking long after the lights come up, The Revolutionists is one of the must-see productions of the summer.

As a production that will make you laugh, move you, and leave you thinking long after the lights come up, The Revolutionists is one of the must-see productions of the summer.    

    

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