Emilie is one of Herstory’s most undertold stories. One of the first female physicists, the 18th centruy Marquise died from complications in childbirth in the midst of disproving Newton’s Laws of Physics. Her work became the basis for Einstein’s theory of relativity, but her long-time lover Voltaire, who wrote with, and about her, remained more noted for her work than she did. Lauren Gunderson’s play powerfully tells Emilie’s story with humor and love, putting her story back in her own voice and restoring the credit for the work that became the foundation for so many others.
Emilie: La Marquise du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight by Lauren Gunderson
The Flea Theater
Duende Productions
*A New York Premiere!
“Director Kathy Gail MacGowan has combined satire with solid, sometimes intellectually lofty story. It’s quite winning. Timing is deft depiction of sex is varied, imaginative, and fun. The central relationship is treated naturally, both characters emerging distinctive.”- Alix Cohen, Women Around Town
“The illuminating and finely chiseled NYC premiere of the play is now at The Flea Theater…with Broadway-worthy skill and imagination Kathy Gail MacGowan directs a superb cast of five, eliciting performances that measure up to the production’s high bar.” - Jon Sobel, Blog Critics
“Make no mistake, I highly recommend it!”- Betsyann Faiella, Front Row Center
“Lauren Gudnerson’s vibrant and heady bio-play….(with) Kathy Gail MacGowan’s humorously charming production”- Michael Dale, onstage blog
“Under Kathy Gail MacGowan’s direction, many of the actors play multiple roles, underscoring the similarities between certain characters..Bonnie Black delivers compelling performances…as the lights dim, it becomes impossible to tell where loving leaves off and knowing begins” Rhonda Feng, The New York Times
photos by Ashley Garrett