Theater Review: “The Revolutionists” at Phoenix Stage Company

Oakville - Phoenix Stage Company is performing a production of “The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson. The play is onstage through May 15.

The play highlights four beautiful, badass women that lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. We meet playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette (in the flesh,) and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle. Through the two acts, the four tough women hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris.

Dramatists Play Service says that “this grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, 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…”

This description sums up why I thought there was too much going on in Gunderson’s script, often making it difficult to keep up. I appreciated the Girl Power message brought to life by the four female cast members and how the four characters come together. I loved the contemporary comedy which reminded me of another period show, the Broadway musical “Something Rotten.” The script just felt laden down with entrances and exits, writer’s angst, threats by de Gouges of turning her work into a musical (like “Les Miserables”) and the guillotine.

Luckily, the performances of the four actresses under the direction of community theater actor Chris Evans make the production worth the price of admission to this wild ride. Three of the four women make their Phoenix Stage debut.

The young Caroline Ahlman, a Torrington High School graduate, plays the assassin Corday in her debut on this stage. Ahlman was part of the Warner Theatre Performance Lab’s “Spelling Bee” as well as “Motherhood” at the Warner.

Loretta Fedrick also makes her Phoenix Stage debut in the role of Marianne Andelle and does wonderful work with this well-drawn character. Fedrick is the mother of the beautiful Dania Fedrick, who was in the audience on Mother’s Day supporting her mother. At times, a gesture or a look by Mrs. Fedrick reminded me of her talented daughter. Fedrick appeared in “Dot” with Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, “Dogfight” at the Warner and “Godspell” and “Dream Girls” with Landmark Community Theatre.

Katie Kozlowski is a natural as the writer de Gouges in her debut at Phoenix Stage. Kozlowski's sister Emily told the young actress to “get back on that stage, you thespian” and I am grateful that she did. At times, this actress reminded me of Heidi Blickenstaff, who was a delight as Bea Bottom in “Something Rotten” on Broadway. I look forward to seeing this very talented performer on many local stages.

Tori Richnavsky returns to the Phoenix Stage to play the delicious role of Marie Antoinette in a wide gown adorned with ribbons. This part could easily have gone over the top, but Richnavsky walks the fine line while making the most of the comedy embedded in the role.

The indomitable Teresa Alexandru keeps track of everything backstage as the stage manager and Al Hathway and Ed Bassett were in charge of the lighting design. Bassett also designed the period appropriate costumes, with Richnavsky as the wig master. The set designed by the director is more complicated than it appears at first glance and works well for the more complicated scenes.

Another play by Lauren Gunderson, “Silent Sky,” is running at the second stage at the Warner Theatre in Torrington. This lyrical work about other strong women in history runs through May 22.

“The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson continues Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. For tickets call 860-417-2505 or visit www.PhoenixStageCompany.org