Motherhood and Scientific Discovery Interweave in
Karen Zacarías’ Imaginative Legacy of Light
Love, Light, and the Science of Being A Woman
SALINAS, Calif. – The Western Stage ventures forth into the imaginative universe of Karen Zacarías’Legacy of Light, an intellectual joyride confronting a universal question. Two women, living hundreds of years apart, face the myriad of possibilities that birth can bring. For an 18th century mathematician, an unexpected pregnancy in middle-age means danger, not only to her groundbreaking research, but to her life. Likewise, for a 21st century physicist desperately trying to conceive a child, the prospect of new life threatens her notion of self and how much she is able to accomplish. Legacy of Light equates the laws of physical science with matters of the heart, and uses magical realism and dreamlike moments to draw together serendipitous stories in this contemporary comedy.
Legacy of Light performs in the Studio Theater October 27 – November 11, 2018. Hartnell College, Building K, 411 Central Ave. Salinas, CA.
The play unfolds simultaneously in 18th century France and contemporary America, where two women are pushing the boundaries of physics. One is Emilie du Châtelet, the French mathematician who discovered an important principle that discredited theories held by Isaac Newton and the philosopher Voltaire. In the U.S., a married but childless astrophysicist named Olivia has made the exciting discovery of a new planet. The two women are both grappling with issues of motherhood – Emilie is pregnant and worried she might die in childbirth, while Olivia has engaged a surrogate mother to carry the child she can’t conceive. As it turns out, neither baby is completely wanted – nor unwanted – and the mechanics of Legacy of Light allow us to watch as each woman comes to a deeper level of understanding about the role she serves in the cosmos. In a similar way, the orbits of their stories, which develop separately, begin to collide. With several performers playing more than one role, the twin scenarios unfurl in alternating and interwoven scenes. Faced with the wrenching decisions that working mothers have to make, Legacy of Light broaches the tantalizing question: Does the birth of a child ultimately mean as much to the world as the birth of an idea?
Karen Zacarías is one of the most produced playwrights in the nation. She is one of the inaugural Resident Playwrights at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, and is a core founder of the Latinx Theatre Commons. She is the founder of Young Playwrights’ Theater, an award winning theater company that teaches playwriting in local public schools in Washington, DC. Another of her works, Just Like Us, was produced by The Western Stage’s 2×4 BASH in summer of 2018.
The cast includes TWS veteran Katherine Adrian in the role of Emilie and Melissa Chin-Parker, TWS Artistic Program Director, as Olivia. Peninsula actor, Bri Slama, will play Millie. The men include TWS Production/Facilities Manager and resident director Jeff McGrath as Voltaire, TWS veteran Dennis Hungridge as Peter, and new-to-TWS Noah Lucé as San-Lambert. The action is accompanied by cellist, Nona Childress.
TWS welcomes guest director, Ellen Brooks, who was recently nominated for “Outstanding Performance in a Principle Role in a Play” by Theatre Bay Area. Scenic design is by David Parker; costume, hair, and makeup design by Maegan Roux; lighting design by John Englehorn; and sound design by Taylor Wilson.
DETAILS
The Western Stage presents Legacy of Light, by Karen Zacarías, an intellectual joyride confronting a universal question. Two women, living hundreds of years apart, explore the meaning of love, motherhood, family, art, and science in this contemporary comedy.
WHEN: Oct 27, 28, Nov 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11. Fridays / Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Studio Theater, Hartnell College, Building K, 411 Central Ave., Salinas, CA 93901.
TICKETS AND INFO: $26 general admission; $24 for seniors and military; and $12 for children age 5 – 15. Hartnell students are free with student I.D. Other students $20 with I.D. For single or group tickets and information, go to westernstage.com or call 831-755-6816.
ABOUT THE WESTERN STAGE
Founded in 1974, The Western Stage (TWS) has evolved over the last four decades into one of the most respected community-based theaters on California’s Central Coast. TWS is committed to enriching the culture of its community by bringing together professional artists, theatre students, and community members to produce a dynamic season of plays that enhances the lives of both the artist and audience; developing new works that speak to the history and culture of the Salinas Valley; and provide educational opportunities that allow students of all skill levels to explore and develop their unique talents. http://www.westernstage.com
HARTNELL COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT – ESTABLISHED IN 1920
The Hartnell CCD serves over 17,000 students annually through its main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus in East Salinas, the King City Education Center, and various outreach learning centers throughout the Salinas Valley. Hartnell College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, provides associate degree and certificate programs, workforce-training, courses in basic skills, and prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Hartnell College is recognized for its innovative public and private partnerships that support world-class education for STEM, career technical education, fine and performing arts, humanities/social sciences, nursing/healthcare, and athletics. We are proud to be the winners of the 2015 Innovation Award for CSin3 – a Computer Science bachelor’s degree in three years. We are growing leaders through opportunity, engagement, and achievement. For more about Hartnell CCD, visit www.hartnell.edu.
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