Denison Theatre presents “Legacy of Light”

Date of Event: February 24, 2012

Posted: February 10, 2012

GRANVILLE, Ohio— Denison University Theatre continues its 81st season with “Legacy of Light,” the ingenious time-traveling comedy by Karen Zacarías. Performances are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25, and Tuesday, Feb. 28, to Saturday, March 3, at 8 p.m. in Ace Morgan Theatre (211 West College Street). Tickets are $8 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for students. For information, visit www.denison.edu and for reservations, contact the box office at 740-587-6527.

The play unfolds simultaneously in 18th century pre-revolutionary France and contemporary New Jersey, as two women push the boundaries of physics while grappling with motherhood. Physicist Émilie du Châtelet, lover of both the philosopher Voltaire and a young poet, races to complete her research, based on Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion, before the life-threatening birth of her child. Astrophysicist Olivia Hasting Brown has discovered a new planet, in the midst of hiring a surrogate, the free-spirited Millie, to carry the child she and her husband Peter have been unable to conceive.

The production is directed by Mark Seamon, assistant professor of theatre. Noting that this is the first amateur production of this critically acclaimed play, Seamon says, “The enthralling story of two female scientists, separated by over two and a half centuries, invites us to consider how motherhood, creativity and science connect humanity across the ages. Through sex, sword fights, poetry, scientific theory, humor and sadness, this time-bending journey is a highly imaginative and utterly charming exploration of how we overcome limitations in the pursuit of our ambitions.”

Émilie and Olivia are played by seniors Alexa Dorris (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Molly Coyne (Smyrna, Ga.). Their husbands, M. Du Châtelet and Peter Brown, are played by juniors Ian Shapiro (Xenia, Ohio) and John Hewson (Saddle River, N.J.). Junior Alec Lee (Knoxville, Tenn.) plays Voltaire and senior Joshua Harris (Glen Ridge, N.J.) plays the poet Saint-Lambert. Sophomore Madeleine Oulevey (Arnoldsville, Ga.) plays Émilie’s daughter Pauline. Millie and her brother Lewis are played by first-year students Sara Blike (North Canton, Ohio) and Will Brackenbury (Cincinnati).

Associate Professor Peter Pauzé is the scenic and lighting designer. Assistant scenic designer is junior Laura Hoffman (Charlotte, N.C.) and assistant lighting designers are seniors Owen Beamer (Newark, Ohio) and Rachel Nin (Morgan Hill, Calif.). The costume designer is Cynthia Turnbull, associate professor and theatre department chair. Assistant to the costume designer is first-year student Jaime Weinfeld (Navarre, Ohio). The assistant director is junior Breanna Rankin (Boise, Idaho); the stage manager is sophomore Tara Foster (Sarasota, Fla.); and the assistant stage manager is first-year student Katherine Rosa (New Kingston, N.Y.). The fight choreographer is Cincinnati-based Chad Weddle, an advanced actor combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING, Denison University Theatre, Granville – “Legacy of Light” at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25, and Tuesday, Feb. 28, thru Saturday, March 3, in Ace Morgan Theatre (211 W. College St.): $8 general admission, $5 senior citizens, $4 students. For more information, visit www.denison.edu. Reservations may be made by calling 740-587-6527.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name: Ginny Sharkey
Position Title: Media Relations
Primary Email: sharkeyv@denison.edu
Business Phone: (740) 587-6266

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