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Legacy of Light

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  3w, 3m

“What is the science of love?” Two female scientists, living hundreds of years apart, explore the meaning of love, motherhood, family, art and science in this contemporary comedy.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
Two female scientists, living hundreds of years apart, explore the meaning of love, motherhood, family, art and science in this contemporary comedy. Legacy of Light juxtaposes the story of Émilie du Châtelet, a mathematician, scientist, and lover of the great 18th-century philosopher Voltaire, who became unexpectedly pregnant at 42, and that of a 21st-century physicist desperately trying to conceive a child.
History
Legacy of Light made its world premiere at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC, on 8 May 2009. Directed by Molly Smith, the production featured Lise Bruneau, Carla Harting, Stephen Schnetzer, Michael Russotto, David Covington and Lindsey Kyler.
EMILIE du CHÂTELET – Beautiful intelligent woman. A scientist. Age 42.
VOLTAIRE – Emilie’s lover; Playwright and scientist-wannabe. Age 54.
SAINT-LAMBERT – Emilie’s handsome younger lover. Also plays LEWIS.
OLIVIA – Modern professional woman. A scientist. Age 42. Also plays WET NURSE.
MILLIE – Modern 21 year-old woman. Italian descent. Also plays PAULINE.
PETER – Olivia’s husband. Age 44. Also plays MONSIEUR DU CHÂTELET.
  • Time Period Present Day, 18th Century
  • Setting France, 1700s, and New Jersey, now.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

”An intellectual joyride from start to finish.” – DC Theater Scene

“This is a work with its heart in the right place, one in which the comic machinations emanate from a source of bona fide light.” – Washington Post

“Zacarías has written this entertaining play with a shrewd eye for the economies and interests of today’s theater. It is a flight of fancy with a relevant component, containing expansive roles that will be popular with performers. Women, especially, will admire the strength, intellectual depth and human qualities of the play’s female characters.” – Variety

Legacy of Light is an intellectual joyride from start to finish that confronts a universal question: How do women balance a passionate yearning for science with maternal instinct?” – DC Theater Scene

“If Karen Zacarías’ new play Legacy of Light is any indication of where playwriting is headed, then pop the champagne—we have a lot to celebrate.” – Stark Insider

"Legacy of Light, a quirky look at fulfillment and discovery, is full of charm... the story takes on a fable-like quality. And Zacarías raises deep questions: motherhood vs. career, leaving the world with a meaningful legacy and the nature of immortality.” – Orlando Sentinel

Videos

  • Legacy of Light – Looking for Lilith Theatre Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Legacy of Light – Looking for Lilith Theatre Trailer

  • Legacy of Light – Arena Stage Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Legacy of Light – Arena Stage Trailer

  • Legacy of Light – Lyric Stage Company Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Legacy of Light – Lyric Stage Company Trailer

  • Legacy of Light – San Jose Rep Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Legacy of Light – San Jose Rep Trailer

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Karen Zacarías

Karen Zacarías was recently hailed by American Theater Magazine as one of the ten most-produced playwrights in the US. Her award-winning plays include The Copper Children, Destiny of Desire, Native Gardens, The Book Club Play, Legacy of Light, Mariela in the Desert, The Sins ...

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