History, Sisterhood, and Storytelling: 'The Revolutionists' at Quannapowitt Players

‘Writers don’t write what they know, they write what they want.’ - The Revolutionists

Quannapowitt Players presents Lauren Gunderson's historical dark comedy The Revolutionists. The play revolves around four women - a writer, an assassin, a Haitian rebel, and a former queen - as they navigate the rules of storytelling to craft a compelling historical tale about freedom and justice.

Quannpowitt Players’ final dress rehearsal of The Revolutionists had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was fascinated by the show's themes. The Revolutionists is a captivating play that incorporates brilliant storytelling about feminism and history. Most importantly, the play teaches that you should write about what you want.

The play centers around historical figures Olympe De Gouges (Allison Rudmann Putnam), Charlotte Corday (Shawna Ciampa), Marie-Antoinette (Nancy Finn), and Marianne Angelle (June Dever), a fictional character made up for this show. All four actresses achieve exceptional performances, even going so far as to study the historical backgrounds of their characters.

The dynamic between these women is the core of the show. Each woman comes from a vastly different background and lives a decade apart. That’s one of the fascinating parts of storytelling: the what-ifs. What if certain historical figures from different time periods met?

These characters initially seem like unlikely companions — Notably, the way that Marie-Antoinette’s aristocratic background is mixed with that of Charlotte Corday, a famous assassin. Granted, the women's relationship is both flawed and inspiring, much like the revolutionary struggles they face.

The Revolutionists has a dark underlayer, but it is also funny. The audience laughed a lot and the interactions between the women made for some comical moments. Finn was hilarious as the bubbly Marie-Antoinette, while each actress sparked impeccable comedic timing.

The play’s writing is both witty and deeply reflective, especially through Michelle Fisher’s direction of this multifaceted script. Her direction highlights the humor, heartbreak, and humanity of the story, drawing nuanced performances from the cast.

No show goes on without a hardworking production team. Since the play is set in 1793, The Quannapowitt Players’ black box stage is transformed into the French Revolutionary period. It’s incredible how the theater redesigns its stage with each show.

Anna Silva, Karen Burham, and Marc Capizzi incorporate stunning wardrobes, makeup, and wigs that reflect the period and each character’s identity.

One technical highlight that flared several reactions, including a few gasps, was the lighting and sound design for the guillotine by Bruce Pennypacker and Nicole Sparks. Lights silhouette the sharp blade in all but a shadow, followed by an ominous noise that stays with you. It also captures the terror of the era.

As a writer myself, I liked the writing angle of the show. I have come to like watching historical shows. There’s always a unique way to tell stories. The Revolutionist can be interpreted in any way. De Gouges wants to create a play about the French Revolution that grabs attention - but how do you do it without meddling with history? Be careful about how you write it.

The Revolutionists is a powerful feminist show. The production’s themes of strength and resilience are skillfully explored, reminding the audience that while we cannot rewrite history, we can learn from it to shape our future.

During intermission, and even after the show, I haven’t been able to stop researching these women. My friend also whispered historical facts to me during the story; you never know what you’ll learn. Learning about history should always be the main intent of any historical show.

While it’s not a dark show, The Revolutionist balances heavy topics about political violence, execution, and the oppression of women. The Revolutionists is a must-see at The Quannapowitt Players, playing until February 8. It’s a play for all history fans.