The Revolutionists
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Rudy Ramirez
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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, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, loose their heads, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in revolutionary Paris.
This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, feminism and terrorism, art and how we actually go about changing the world. It's a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection that ends in a song and a scaffold.
The Revolutionists ran June 9-25, 2018 at the Santa Cruz Center for Culture
"Though dealing with large themes — the rights of women, the excesses of revolution, the fortitude to outlast corrupt regimes — “The Revolutionists” is an intimate play, dealing with the relationships of the four women and the emotional toll that these issues take on them. Shrewd Productions’ mounting of the show focuses intently on this intimacy, creating a dark, funny and moving tribute to the long, ongoing history of the fight for women’s rights."
- Andrew J. Friedenthal, Austin 360
"This cast gives Gunderson's beautiful rendering of these historical figures the simultaneously authentic and hilarious and absurd but believable interpretation they fully deserve. The four comprise a beautiful ensemble, and their timing snaps and crackles. Director Rudy Ramirez makes the most of Gunderson's script and sculpts the fine talent of his cast with whip smart timing and pacing."
- Joni Lorraine, BroadwayWorld
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"a thoughtful and utterly delightful take on the importance of telling stories set against an utterly horrific period of French history", noting "This extremely entertaining production is rounded out with a minimalist but spot-on set design by Chris Conard and absolutely beautiful period costumes courtesy of Jennifer Rose Davis."
- T. Lynn Mikeska, Austin Chronicle
"original and bold new play - given an all-too relevant production by the talented minds of Shrewd Productions, led by the incredibly skilled hand of Rudy Ramirez. Following the final days of several of the French Revolution’s strongest women, we see how their fights and struggles are far too similar to the ones women are still fighting today."
- Ryan E. Johnson, Austin Arts Watch
Video Trailer - Magic Spoon Productions
Publicity Photos - Errich Peterson
Production Photos - Kimberley Mead
Cast
Olympe - Sarah Marie Curry**
Marianne - Valoneecia Tolbert*
Charlotte - Gricelda Silva*
Marie - Shannon Grounds
Production Crew
Director - Rudy Ramirez**
Producer - Shannon Grounds**
Stage Manager - Michael Logue
Set Design - Chris Conard
Costume Designer - Jennifer Davis*
Lighting Designer - Patrick Anthony
Sound Design - David DeMaris
Wig Design - Jennifer Davis and Blood & Glitter Makeup**