The Department of Theatre at Hope College will present playwright Lauren Gunderson’s “The Revolutionists” on Friday-Sunday, Feb. 17-19 and Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 23-26, in the DeWitt Center studio theatre.
There will be performances on Feb. 17-18 and 23-25 at 7:30 p.m., and matinee performances on Feb. 19 and 25-26 at 2 p.m.
Directed by professor Daina Robins, “The Revolutionists” is a witty, socio-political satire interwoven with moments of poignancy and emotional depth. It follows four women during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, three of whom are historical figures: playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday and former queen Marie Antoinette. Gunderson takes clear poetic license with these characters and rounds out the cast with Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle.
Robins describes the play: “‘The Revolutionists’ is a dark and raucous comedy that addresses huge topics — art and activism, story and history, feminism and revolution. Set in late-18th century Paris, it takes us on a wild ride through fact and fiction, performance and reality, as four women grapple with their legacy, their life’s purpose, and their surprising friendships. Our journey with these characters has been fun and challenging. Don’t miss it!”
In addition to Robins, the college’s production team consists of adjunct professor Keith Pitts as scenic and properties designer; professor Michelle Bombe, chair of the department, as costume designer; Eric Van Tassell, assistant professor of theatre, as lighting designer; Ken Chamberlain, assistant director of production for dance and theatre, as sound designer; staff members Stephen Krebs and Anna Hill as technical director and costume shop manager, respectively; junior Lydia Konings of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as assistant sound designer; and sophomore Reneé Marting, of Dundee as assistant to the costume designer.
Also serving on the production team are senior Emily Dykhouse of Holland as stage manager; and senior Ka'niya Houston of Chicago, Illinois, and sophomore Sophie Reay of Fishers, Indiana, as assistant stage managers.
The cast includes senior Tia Hockenhull of Southfield; juniors Cecelia Casper of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Brianna Tomczak of Dexter; and freshman Anya Kapitula of Grand Rapids.
Tickets are $10 for regular admission; $7 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff; and free for Hope College students and students ages 18 and under. Tickets are available at the Events and Conferences Office located in downtown Holland in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 616-395-7890. Tickets may be purchased by calling or visiting the ticket office, online at hope.edu/tickets, or in person at the performance.
The performances on Sunday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. are free of charge and do not require a ticket. However, those interested in attending are asked to email theatre@hope.edu with their name, phone number and the number of seats requested in order to reserve their seats.
Seating in the studio theatre is very limited. All reserved tickets/seats must be claimed 10 minutes prior to the start of each performance to guarantee seating.
Audience members who need assistance to enjoy any event at Hope fully are encouraged to contact the college’s Events and Conferences Office by emailing events@hope.edu or calling 616-395-7222 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Updates related to events are posted when available in the individual listings at hope.edu/calendar
The DeWitt Student and Cultural Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue between 10th and 13th streets. The studio theatre is located on the lowest level near the building’s southeast corner.