The title is a mouthful: Emilie La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life at the Petit Théâtre at Cirey Tonight. It’s spun from the life of the 18th century noblewoman Emilie du Châtelet, whose knowledge of math and physics is admired to this day. Natacha Roi portrays Emilie. Don Reilly is Voltaire. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
The play, being given its world premiere at South Coast Repertory, is by Lauren Gunderson, an emerging playwright finishing her MFA in dramatic writing at NYU. Here, Natacha Roi’s Emilie stands in the foreground; behind are, from left, Rebecca Mozo, Matthew Humphries, Don Reilly and Susan Denaker. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
The play imagines that Emilie (Natacha Roi) has been returned to life. Here, she observes her younger self (Rebecca Mozo). (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
A sprightly neoclassical setting is provided by designer Cameron Anderson. David Emmes directed. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
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Natacha Roi, as Emilie, interacts with Don Reilly as Voltaire, the noblewoman’s secret love. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
The play is given a stylized presentation, underscored with period music. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
