American Voices-Karen Zacarías: I stumbled upon the life and scientific achievements of Emilie du Châtelet while researching my children’s play about Einstein. I was pregnant at the time, and instantly found myself deeply moved by her struggle to balance motherhood with her scientific curiosity. I am fascinated by the tension between interpersonal relationships and personal ambition, between our bodies and our minds, practicality and romance, between humor and drama. I know that our bodies carry clues about ancestors…and that life choices aren’t all coincidence.
Karen Zacarías is the founding Artistic Director of Young Playwrights’ Theater. A local D.C. playwright, Karen has had three world premieres in 2008: The Book Club Play (Round House Theatre), Chasing George Washington (The Kennedy Center), and Looking for Roberto Clemente (Imagination Stage).
“I could rave on and on about the acting, but suffice to say that it was all brilliant, heartfelt and genuine.” – The Examiner
“Prolific D.C.-based playwright Karen Zacarías intertwines themes of motherhood and scientific discovery from a deliciously quirky perspective in Legacy of Light, an entertaining new comedy getting a classy launch from Arena Stage.” – Variety
It’s the age of Enlightenment and Emilie du Châtelet, the dazzling, brilliant physicist of Voltaire’s dreams, suddenly realizes she is with child. At 42, and faced with a deadline, Emilie’s fights to finish her experiments to ensure her mathematical immortality. Jump to the present day, and fiery Olivia, on the verge of an unprecedented scientific discovery, abruptly feels an astonishing pull towards motherhood. Unable to conceive, she hires the charming and lively Millie as a surrogate. The growing light inside Millie connects the three women across the generations as they learn to balance domestic maternity, insatiable intellectual curiosity and the quest to have it all. This enlightening adventure, with unexpected twists, invites us not only to explore the realm of possibility, but to embrace love, laughter and life to the fullest.
Share your mother/daughter story with us for the chance to win tickets to Legacy of Light!
Close? Fun? Supportive? Bittersweet? What best describes your mother/daughter relationship? In Arena Stage's critically acclaimed production of Legacy of Light, the characters Émilie, Pauline, Olivia and Millie find both challenge and comfort in their mother/daughter bonds. So what's your story...and what's your legacy?
Karen Zacarías is the founding Artistic Director of Young Playwrights’ Theater. A local D.C. playwright, Karen has had three world premieres in 2008: The Book Club Play (Round House Theatre), Chasing George Washington (The Kennedy Center), and Looking for Roberto Clemente (Imagination Stage).
