LINDENHURST, NY — History has a habit of silencing women, but at the BACCA Arts Center this March, four of history’s most defiant voices are shouting back. The Modern Classics Theatre Company of Long Island is set to premiere Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists, a production that promises to turn the French Revolution into a raucous, “dream-tweaked” comedic whirlwind.

Running from March 7 through March 22, 2026, the play is a bold declaration of intent from Modern Classics, a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional company dedicated to staging the “seldom seen.” In The Revolutionists, they have found a work that perfectly bridges the gap between historical gravity and contemporary wit.

Four Women, One Guillotine, Zero Chill

Set in Paris in 1793, the play gathers four historical figures—who likely never met in real life—and places them in a shared space to navigate the blood-soaked absurdity of the Reign of Terror. As the male leaders of the revolution descend into hyper-violent rhetoric, these women fight for their legacy with art, activism, and a well-placed dagger.

The ensemble cast brings a diverse range of revolutionary energy to the Lindenhurst stage:

• Jes Almeida stars as Olympe De Gouges, a playwright grappling with writer’s block and the weight of writing a feminist manifesto in a time of executions.
• Rosie Collette portrays Charlotte Corday, the focused assassin famously known for killing Jean-Paul Marat in his bathtub.
• Karen Griffith Gordon plays Marianne Angelle, a fierce Haitian rebel representing the fight for freedom and decolonization across the Atlantic.
• Julie Lorson takes on the iconic Marie Antoinette, reimagining the former Queen not just as a lover of ribbons, but as a woman of surprising depth and spirit facing an inevitable end.

The play is described as “a play about a play,” a “raucous resurrection,” and a “true story—or total fiction.” It explores the power of “chosen sisters” and the enduring question of how one leaves a mark on a world that is actively trying to erase them.

Directing the “Dream-Tweaked” Revolution

At the helm of this production is Meredith Lynn Spencer, whose vision for the play embraces the “dream-tweaked” surrealism suggested by playwright Lauren Gunderson. For Spencer, the challenge—and the thrill—of The Revolutionists lies in its tonal tightrope walk.

The play sits on the razor’s edge between “raucous comedy” and the literal “Reign of Terror.” Spencer’s direction focuses on maintaining the high-stakes reality of the guillotine while leaning into the fast-paced, “sassy” humor that makes the characters feel strikingly modern. By leaning into the surrealist elements of the BACCA Arts Center space, Spencer creates a world where 1793 Paris feels as immediate and urgent as today’s political climate.

As a director working with a company committed to non-traditional casting and innovative works, Spencer sees The Revolutionists as the quintessential “modern classic.” It challenges the audience to laugh at the absurdity of history while feeling the very real weight of the sacrifices made by women who dared to speak out.

A New Residency in Lindenhurst

Modern Classics Theatre Company of Long Island serves as the official theatre company in residence at the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts (BACCA). Their mission is clear: to bring high-quality, professional theatrical productions to the local community that go beyond the standard repertoire.

By championing works like The Revolutionists, Modern Classics provides a platform for stories that are often sidelined, inviting actors of all ethnicities, gender identities, and orientations to join a community of radical storytelling.

Performance & Ticket Information

Don’t miss this “hold-on-to-your-seats” adventure. Performances take place at the BACCA Arts Center, located at 149 N. Wellwood Avenue, Lindenhurst.

• Opening Night: Saturday, March 07 – 8:00 PM
• Weekend Matinees: Sundays (Mar 08, 15, 22) – 2:00 PM
• Evening Shows: Fridays and Saturdays – 8:00 PM
• Closing: Sunday, March 22 – 2:00 PM

Tickets:

• Adults: $25.00
• Seniors/Students: $20.00
• https://www.modernclassicstheatrecompanyoflongisland.net/tickets-for-the-revolutionists

In a world that often feels like it’s losing its head, The Revolutionists offers a reminder that through art and sisterhood, we might just find a way to keep ours.