A staged reading of The Revolutionists at Matrix Theatre explores women’s resistance during the French Revolution, storytelling, and intimacy.
Los Angeles is a city that rarely slows down. But for one extraordinary night at the Matrix Theatre, time bends, collapsing centuries into a single, intimate room. On April 15 at 7 PM, filmmaker Jennifer DeLia and actress-director Eugenia Kuzmina present a powerful staged reading of The Revolutionists, a bold work by Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in America. Known for transforming history into something urgent, human, and alive, Gunderson’s play invites us into the tumultuous world of the French Revolution, offering a unique perspective through the eyes of four remarkable women.
Set during the French Revolution, The Revolutionists imagines a meeting of four women who refuse to be silent in the face of oppression. In this stripped-down staging, there are no elaborate sets or distractions. What remains is raw: voice, presence, and truth, each word reverberating through the room with gravity. This is not just a staged reading, but an encounter, a collision of past and present.
The Artistic Vision
Under Jennifer DeLia’s direction, the production sheds any ornamentation, focusing solely on the architecture of language and performance. There’s no spectacle here, only the power of storytelling, uncomplicated, yet profound. DeLia’s vision is clear: The Revolutionists is an exploration of voice, authorship, and resistance. It is a meditation on the historical and contemporary struggles for equality and justice. In a world saturated with spectacle, this production offers something rare: intimacy with intention.
Jennifer DeLia is a Visionary Director, at the helm of the upcoming Mary Pickford biopic. She pushes the boundaries of her craft, such as in her feature film “Billy Bates” an acclaimed arthouse film as well as in the music videos she’s directed for iconic artists, like Amadou & Mariam, Kyp & Tunde of TV on the Radio, Bilnddog Smokin’, Bobby Rush & Dr John . Jennifer also directed Julia Stiles and James Wirt at The Cherry Lane Theatre Off-Broadway.
The Cast: A Powerful Ensemble
The cast is not merely assembled, it is composed, each performer bringing a unique energy and artistic frequency to the production. Each of the four actresses embodies the essence of their character, infusing the performance with emotional depth and historical resonance.
Marieme Diop as Marianne
Marieme Diop, a Senegalese-American artist known for her work in music, performance, and global cultural influence, brings a visceral, almost elemental energy to the role of Marianne. Having performed on stages from Red Rocks to Ibiza and contributed to iconic soundscapes for Grey’s Anatomy and major global campaigns, Diop’s portrayal of Marianne is revolutionary not just in action, but in spirit. She embodies the force of revolution, a woman whose words and actions have the power to change the world.
Taylor Olandt as Charlotte Corday
Taylor Olandt, an actor, musician, and visual storyteller, lends a cinematic stillness to Charlotte Corday. Raised in Los Angeles within an entertainment lineage, Olandt has carved out a multifaceted career across music and film, performing at venues like The Troubadour and collaborating with legendary producer Ken Caillat. In her portrayal of Charlotte, Olandt captures a moment frozen in time, a woman suspended in the quiet before an act of defiance. Her Charlotte is controlled, poised, and quietly dangerous, embodying the calm before the storm.
Karen Strassman as Marie Antoinette
Karen Strassman, with over 600 credits in film, television, and voice acting, transforms Marie Antoinette into a deeply human character. Known for her work in franchises like Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, and League of Legends, Strassman’s portrayal goes beyond the caricatured queen. She brings irony and vulnerability to the role, allowing the humanity of the infamous queen to flicker through the layers of myth. Strassman’s performance is a reminder that even the most powerful figures are shaped by their vulnerabilities and emotions.
Eugenia Kuzmina as Olympe de Gouges
Eugenia Kuzmina anchors the production with a deeply personal and layered performance as Olympe de Gouges, the revolutionary playwright and feminist. Kuzmina’s journey, from a Soviet childhood marked by hardship to international modeling with houses like Cartier and Dior, to her film roles in The Gentlemen, Operation Fortune, and Bad Moms, infuses her portrayal with lived complexity. A regular at The Comedy Store, The Improv, and The Laugh Factory, Kuzmina bridges humor and gravity, making Olympe not just a character, but an extension of herself, a woman who is writing her own history, refusing to disappear into the shadows of time.
The Power of Language and Presence
What sets this production apart is its emphasis on language. Without the distraction of spectacle or excessive staging, the words themselves become the primary vehicle for storytelling. The script is sharp, cutting through the air with precision, while the performances are raw and unfiltered. Every word carries weight, and every silence speaks volumes. The intimacy of the Matrix Theatre amplifies this effect, creating an experience where the audience feels as if they are part of the revolution themselves, sharing the room with these formidable women.
An Encounter with History
In this reimagined setting, history does not merely feel remembered; it feels lived. The production collapses centuries into a single, powerful night. Through the words and actions of these women, the play becomes a living testament to the power of resistance, the strength of women’s voices, and the fight for justice that transcends time.
The intimate staging of The Revolutionists at the Matrix Theatre invites the audience to witness the collision of the past and present. It offers more than a historical reimagining; it is a call to action, a meditation on the power of voice, and a tribute to those who refuse to be silenced. In a cultural landscape oversaturated with spectacle, this production stands out as a rare gem, a reminder of the timeless power of storytelling. Check out their website and Instagram.
