The Revolutionists
Starring:
Jennifer Benoit as Olympe de Gouges
Lauren Jehle as Charlotte Corday
Stacy Hasselbacher as Marie Antoinette
Nicolette Wagner as Marianne Angelle
The Revolutionists is a story of wit, beauty, and strength, and is based on four powerful women who took on the French Revolution during its Reign of Terror, 1793. Even though the four women never actually met, they were real and their stories were real. The four women: playwright Olympe de Gouges performed by Jennifer Benoit, assassin Charlotte Corday performed by Lauren Jehle, former Queen Marie Antoinette performed by Stacy Hasselbacher, Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle performed by Nicolette “Nicee" Wagner, all met similar ends at the guillotine in 1793.
Director Georgia Athearn selected The Revolutionists, not only for its amazing strong female characters, but for its political message that all persons, all citizens, have equal rights under the law of the land. Lauren Gunderson (currently one of the most produced playwrights in the country) intertwines their stories into an accumulative voice that shouts for freedom and rights for all women, something that surely resonates in today’s world. She has expertly woven their causes together using modern dialogue, comedic humor and a dash of tragic drama to capture and seduce us into their reality.
“…in this sparkling work, politics is very, very funny, [Gunderson] knows it’s tricky to present
entertaining, yet socially driven art, but she does so without losing the rhythm and forward
momentum of her characters…These are hilarious and loveable women trapped in a history
with a somber final act.” -Houston Chronicle
Jennifer Benoit (Olympe) is excited to be part of yet another fantastic female comedy at the Adobe, appearing previously as Dinah in The Sweet Delilah Swim Club and Miriam in The Women. She has been active in theater around Albuquerque since moving here 15 years ago. She wants to thank Daniel for all of his support, and for sharing his love of theater with her.
Lauren Jehle (Charlotte) graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BBA in Marketing. She works at Sandia National Laboratories, but always makes time for acting. Lauren is thrilled to make her Adobe Theater debut in The Revolutionists. This show is so powerful, and she is very lucky to work with such a wonderful team of women. Lauren was recently in the chorus of Opera Southwest’s Turandot. She played Sandy in Grease (Albuquerque Little Theatre), and was in Carrie the Musical (Musical Theatre Southwest). Lauren thanks her friends and family for their constant love and support. Enjoy the show!
Stacy Hasselbacher (Marie-Antoinette) is no stranger to 18th-century revolutions, having spent most of her career as a performer, educator, and media producer for Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. In Williamsburg she portrayed other historical figures, primarily from the American Revolution, and performed 18th-century-style theater in such roles as Polly in Polly Honeycombe, Mrs. Harlow in The Old Maid, and Fanny in The Clandestine Marriage. Outside of the 18th century, her favorite roles include Katherine in Proof, Jessie in 'Night Mother, and Maria in Twelfth Night. Stacy is very excited and honored to make her Albuquerque theatrical debut.
Nicolette Wagner (Marianne) is so happy you came to the show! You may have last seen her at the Adobe Theatre as Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap, or you may have seen her as Joy in The Yellow Boat at the Vortex Theatre. Nicee is also a musician, voiceover artist, and selection committee member for Musical Theatre Southwest. She is eternally grateful to be cast in this role, giving her the opportunity to tell a little bit of HERstory, and pay homage to the generations that came before her. Revolution for all!
