Continuum Across Time – Legacy of Light

Mar 30, 2025 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Two Sues on the Aisle, Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston

Legacy of Light, written by Karen Zacarias, celebrates the genius and determination of women. Intertwining the lives of an astrophysicist living in present-day Princeton, a surrogate mother, and Émilie du Châtelet, an 18th-century physicist who anticipates having a baby with trepidation. Living hundreds of years apart, these women explore love and science, motherhood and family in a light comedy that blends realism and fantasy. It will be at McCarter Theater through April 6.

Grounded in History

The life and legacy of Émilie du Châtelet (Lenne Klingaman) provides historical perspective and context—Emile (1706-1749) was married to Marquis Florent-Claude de Châtelet-Lomont and was Voltaire’s muse. Legacy of Light focuses on her brilliance in physics and mathematics; she challenged Newton’s physics, collaborated with Voltaire (Allen Gillmore) to explore the properties of light and color formation, and influenced Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Her interests extended into philosophy, suggesting that she is responsible for the famous line from Voltaire’s Candide: “Everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” When Émilie becomes pregnant, she rushes to complete her life’s work before the baby is born.

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Olivia (Kimberly Chatterjee), a tenured professor at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences who is fascinated by dark matter and the expanding universe, discovers the embryonic core of a planet. In her excitement, she totals her car and decides it’s time to start a family, using a surrogate, Millie (Gina Fonsece), which comes as a surprise to her husband, Peter (Zack Fine).

Themes and Attitudes

When Émilie and Voltaire introduced themselves to the audience, Voltaire arrogantly boasted that he needed no introduction as he was better known than Émilie. As a woman, Émilie’s contribution to science is largely unknown (even today). Voltaine explained that the importance of her works was not discovered during her lifetime.

Legacy of Light looks at society’s expectations of a woman’s role in the 18th century. Women were expected to be wives and mothers, while men were allowed their dalliances and affairs. Émilie explained that women and men have similar desires to make a difference in the world. She intended for her daughter Paula to have educational opportunities and not marry, a plan she must rethink when she finds herself pregnant.

The juxtaposition of the two eras is provocative. In the 1700s, Émilie wrote passionately, “If I were king, I would reform an abuse which effectively cuts back half of humanity. I would have women participate in all human rights, and above all, those of the mind.” Yet, in the 20th century, when Millie needed money, she became a surrogate, even though she was a talented designer. Millie dreamt about studying abroad but prioritized family, her brother, and her baby over herself.

Apple Does Fall Far from the Tree

Émilie tells us that Voltaire made up the story of Newton discovering gravity after getting hit on the head by an apple. He sheepishly agrees. Apples appear as a running joke throughout the production, popping up as eatable props, with frequent references to light and love. Another running joke is the passing comment ‘You look familiar’ as performers appear in different roles.

These themes provide a connection, a continuum (not unlike the space-time continuum), uniting the two stories about women pioneering scientific discoveries and challenging the status quo. While Émilie had demonstrated her intelligence and independence, Olivia is emerging as a luminary in her field.  Zacarias suggests there might be a juncture where these characters overlap and places them together at the end of the play (under an apple tree).

The Science of Love

The performance was light, even though it dealt with some heavy topics, explaining physics, exploring morality, and gender roles. Some sequences were laugh-out-loud funny, others provide a reality check – reminding us that only three generations ago, it was common for women to die during childbirth (something that rarely happens today).

There have been so many advances in science over three generations, it challenges the imagination to consider what’s next. What will life be like for Olivia’s daughter? We hope that the light will spark human thought with contributions from women luminaries like Émilie and her granddaughter.

Legacy of Light is a great show for Women’s History Month.

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Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed.

Legacy of Light received a 3 Challah rating

Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes