The French Revolution may have been marked by terror and turmoil, but in “The Revolutionists,” playwright Lauren Gunderson finds the courage, humor, and humanity at its heart. Theatre Tallahassee’s electrifying production is nothing short of revolutionary itself.
This is not your dry, boring history lesson.
This story features Olympe de Gouges, a visionary playwright fighting for justice with her quill. Rachel S. Hunter embodies Olympe with intelligence and wit, capturing both her comic exasperation at writer’s block and her fiery belief in the power of words. Hunter brings such vitality to the role that audiences will find themselves rooting for her not just as a character, but as a creative force determined to write women into history.
Beside her is Alexis Johnson as Marianne Angelle, a Haitian revolutionary whose fight against slavery adds urgent depth to the play. Johnson delivers Marianne with grace and conviction, grounding the story with moral clarity. Her presence is magnetic, where every speech and every pause is driven with purpose.
Then enters history’s most notorious queen, but not as you would imagine. Hannah Talbot gives us Marie Antoinette, who is hilariously out of touch yet strangely sympathetic, her comedic timing impeccable. Talbot’s Marie is part diva, part accidental philosopher, and wholly delightful. The audience may laugh at her obliviousness, but Talbot ensures they also feel a twinge of empathy as the Queen searches desperately for redemption.
Rounding out this dynamic quartet is Allison Wotherspoon as Charlotte Corday, the assassin whose dagger forever altered revolutionary France. Wotherspoon plays Charlotte with intensity, equal parts determination and vulnerability, offering a performance that lingers long after her final scene.
And let us not forget Ileana Rendon, who plays Olympe de Gouges on October 10th and Marie Antoinette on October 17th, is the swing actress whose talent ensures the revolution never falters. To cover multiple roles in a show of this magnitude requires versatility, and Rendon’s dedication is a testament to the strength of the ensemble.
Director Lizzie Cochran guides the production with a deft hand, balancing the show’s biting comedy with its undercurrent of tragedy. Humor collides with heartbreak, and satire with sincerity, creating a theatrical experience as unpredictable as the revolution itself.
No revolution is complete without style, and this show truly dazzles thanks to the exquisite costume design of Sarah Matlow. Every detail of fabric and color breathes life into these historic figures.
At its core, this is more than a play—it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that women’s voices have always mattered, that art has the power to change the world, and that laughter can be just as revolutionary as protest. The guillotine may hang in the background, but what shines here is courage, friendship, and the enduring power of story.
“The Revolutionists” runs from Oct. 2-19 in The Studio at Theatre Tallahassee.
If you go
What: “The Revolutionists”
When: Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, running through Oct. 19
Where: Theatre Tallahassee, 1861 Thomasville Road.
Tickets: $27.50 for adults, $22.50 for seniors and military and $17.50 for students. Visit theatretallahassee.org.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Theatre Tallahassee delivers fierce history in ‘The Revolutionists’
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