THE REVOLUTIONISTS To Continue Tour Across Chicago And Northern IL

Violet Surprise Theatre, under the leadership of Iris Sowlat and Allison Fradkin, is presenting The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson, currently one of the most widely produced living playwrights in North America.

Performances of The Revolutionists continue through July at various local venues in Chicago and Northern Illinois. More information on the tour dates and how to reserve tickets can be found at the link below.

In a recent viral Instagram post, playwright Lauren Gunderson, currently one of the most widely produced living playwrights in North America, describes Violet SurpriseTheatre's grassroots mission and touring model for her play, The Revolutionists, as "revolutionary." 

In her post, Gunderson recognizes Violet Surprise's innovative and resourceful production model - performing in local communities where theater is often unavailable, such as public libraries and churches - as making theater relevant and accessible to an entirely new audience. By performing almost exclusively in intimate, non-traditional spaces, this stripped-down model also erodes barriers between audience and performers.

This touring production through communities in Chicago, Milwaukee, and northern Illinois began in March 2026 to commemorate Women's History Month and continues through July 2026 to commemorate Bastille Day. Upcoming highlights include; Schaumburg Public Library on May 28, Gorton Center of Lake Forest on June 14, Alliance Française of Chicago on June 26, Chicago's Berger Park on July 11, and our final performance at Des Plaines Public Library in late July.

The Revolutionists celebrates four women of the French Revolution: writer Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, Haitian activist Marianne Angelle, and infamous ruler Marie-Antoinette. Characterized by Gunderson as "a comedy, a quartet, a revolutionary dream fugue, and a true story based on real women, real transcripts, and real executions," the play is simultaneously insightful and hilarious. It is a cautionary tale about what happens when people prefer to talk about women rather than listen to women. Director Iris Sowlat said, "We chose this play because it features four women who are insightful, tenacious and complex, and who discover sisterhood through revolution."

As this play sparks dialogue, the company will host a talkback after each performance with the audience to discuss the themes presented and relevance in today's society.

Audiences can expect an evening of introspection and intersection, audacity and authenticity, and a riveting reflection on ideas that, even after all these years, remain revolutionary.

The Femme Brûlée cast features Pearlie Blue Leaf as Olympe de Gouges, Whitney Pipes as Marianne Angelle, Tera Flores as Charlotte Corday and Allison Fradkin as Marie Antonette. The Guillo-Queens cast features Kit Kelly as Olympe de Gouges, Leslie SR Beebe as Marianne Angelle, Scottlynn Stroming as Charlotte Corday and Bonnie Hart as Marie Antoinette. Callie Folke understudying Marie Antoinette and Charlotte Corday.

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