Reviews for 'The Revolutionists'
PULP: Arts Around Ann Arbor
Heads Will Roll: Theatre Nova's "The Revolutionists" is equal parts comedy and tragedy
"Theatre Nova's production of Lauren Gunderson’s play is remarkably fresh and relevant today. Diane Hill is equal parts hysterically funny and touching as de Gouges... Sara Rose brings wonderful fire and conviction to Corday, but where she truly shines is in her softer, more vulnerable moments. Melissa Beckwith is “hilarious,” privileged, deliciously ditzy, endearingly ignorant... Edmonds imbues Marianne with a steely, sometimes slightly sardonic resolve... Director David Wolber’s firm guiding hand infuses the production with power and a steady pacing that finds the balance between the uproarious and the devastating; the energy never dips. Theatre Nova’s production admirably finds the equilibrium in the play’s mix of impending tragedy and many “hilarious” quips, fueled by badass women power." -Emily Slomovitz, PULP
THEATRE NOVA PRESENTS THE MICHIGAN PREMIERE OF
The Revolutionists
by Lauren Gunderson
Aug. 25 through Sept. 17, 2018
Four beautiful, badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution. At the height of the Reign of Terror, playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, activist Marianne Angelle and former queen Marie Antoinette hang out, plot murder and try to beat back extremist insanity in Paris. This political fantasia by the author of I and You considers how far we should go to keep society from sliding off of the rails. Featuring, directed by David Wolber.
Directed by David Wolber, "The Revolutionists" features Diane Hill, K Edmonds, Sara Rose, and Melissa Beckwith. The production and design team includes Forrest Hejkal (scenic/costume design), Daniel C. Walker (lighting design), Carla Milarch (sound design), and Michelle Resnick (stage manager).
A2 ARTS ADDICT
Theatre Nova’s ‘The Revolutionists’ conquer all
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"...an unconventional play that manages to be both sharply funny and moving, thanks in part to David Wolber’s deft direction. The play’s most hilarious moments belong to Marie Antoinette (Melissa Beckwith), who’s last to arrive, and who insists that whole cake thing “was taken out of context.” Beckwith masterfully balances the deposed queen’s out-of-touch, chirping flakiness with a clear-eyed sadness that subtly colors the character’s more serious moments, and thus gives Marie cliché-smashing complexity. Beckwith’s performance is truly a marvel." -Jenn McKee
ENCORE MICHIGAN
‘The Revolutionists’ is a head of the game at Theatre Nova
“'The play can’t be about terror and death,' announces the character playwright Olympe de Gouges, scarcely five minutes into the show. Despite the life-and-death subject matter, her play must be a comedy. Mission accomplished. Laugh-out-loud moments pepper this sassy script, which is leavened with moving moments. This play has women with moxie in spades. Director David Wolber has assembled a strong comedic quartet of actresses, led by Melissa Beckwith, whose over-the-top portrayal of Marie Antoinette is superb. 'The Revolutionists' is a good time that will leave you with lots to ponder. As Marie Antoinette would say, “Hilarious!”
Real Roy Reviews
Theatre Nova’s Michigan premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists
"Director David Wolber has stacked the deck with a to-die-for cast, and he wisely let’s them run like hell with their roles, shaping and pacing the narrative for maximum funny and maximum heartache. The challenges facing these women in 1793 aren’t terribly different from those facing women in 2017, and that’s a damn shame. The language is purposefully anachronistic, and Wolber’s staging – coupled with the dreamlike design of Daniel C. Walker (lighting), Carla Milarch (sound), and Forrest Hejkal (set, costumes, props, hair) – smartly positions the play as an allegorical comic nightmare, cautioning us that history sure as hell repeats itself." -Roy Sexton
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IT'S ALL THEATRE
Revolution Inspires Women at Theatre Nova
" The play is ambitious, cerebral, hilarious and serious, boisterous, intriguing, entertaining, and, ultimately, extremely satisfying... Theatre Nova’s fine production begins with its exceptional cast. Hill, Edmonds, Rose, and Beckwith are great alone, even better together. Director David Wolber keeps his cast moving, even during the parts where plot takes a backseat to dialogue. 'The Revolutionists' is a very funny and cleverly written play that deserves to be seen." -Daniel Skora, It's All Theatre
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DETROIT LAUGHS LOUDER
The Revolutionists Review At Theater Nova
"Holy shit, can I say that in a review? The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson is just beyond words fantastic! This is something beyond an initial joy but more of a rousing cheer of pure unadulterated bliss. Two clear comedic power-houses that stole the show and are worth the price of admission alone, that being Sara Rose as Charlotte Corday and Melissa Beckwith playing Marie Antoinette. ...an un-wavering success and one I would highly recommend seeing." -Brian Titus, Detroit Laughs Louder