“Emilie” charms at Tennessee Women’s Theater Project

You may not be familiar with Emilie du Châtelet. But as beautifully demonstrated by Lauren Gunderson’s 2009 play, “Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight,” she was a bit of a phenom — and an unabashed rebel.

A brilliant mathematician and physicist of 18th century France, she would become Voltaire’s lover and collaborator. Her translation of Newton’s “Principia Mathematica” is still used, and she advanced the concept of squaring in equations as she worked to unlock the questions of our universe.

But don’t be alarmed by all the scientific theory. Gunderson’s piece — on stage at Tennessee Women’s Theater Project through March 6 — also explores the life and loves of this remarkable woman with great humor and spirit. As the play opens, we learn that Time and Space have been “generous,” granting Emilie one last look back at her life, to answer unanswered questions about science, philosophy, life and love.

It’s just the sort of material that we’ve come to expect from TWTP — smart, funny and thought-provoking. And TWTP founder and Artistic Director Maryanna Clarke makes the most of Gunderson’s unusual script, establishing a crisp pace from the beginning.

She also has gathered an outstanding cast, beginning with the always reliable Evelyn O’Neal Brush in the title role. Brush easily captures Emilie’s courage and passion, while taking care to reveal the mysteries of the human heart. She never leaves the stage — even during intermission, she remains at her desk working out equations — but her energy never wavers.

Obadiah Ewing-Roush also delivers a strong performance as the charming, but capricious Voltaire. He shares a believable chemistry with Brush, relishing the fireworks of their unconventional romance.

A trio of excellent players offers ample support in various roles. Britt Byrd is lovely as Soubrette, stepping in for Emilie as needed. (It seems that Time and Space have brought Emilie back primarily as an observer — she’s not allowed to touch anyone.) But I especially enjoyed Byrd’s lively take on Emilie’s daughter, Gabrielle.

Meanwhile, Evan Taylor Williams creates a number of distinctive characters, including Emilie’s kind, but somewhat vacant, husband, and the poet who would revive her broken heart, Jean François de Saint-Lambert.

And Kaul Bluestone is terrific as Madam, garnering some of the evening’s biggest laughs as she reads Emilie’s pointed letter to the patronizing head of the Academy of Sciences.

Emily Sue Laird’s set supports the unfolding action with style, and Kassia Dombroski’s costumes capture the French 18th-century aesthetic.

Early in Act 1, Emilie tells highly theatrical Voltaire that for their unorthodox relationship to work, they must have honesty. “Everyone else gets the show — I get the truth.” Thanks to TWTP’s fine staging, Nashville gets both.

If you go

What: Tennessee Women’s Theater Project presents “Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight”

When: Through March 6. Performances at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays-Saturdays; 2:30 p.m., Sundays.

Where: Z. Alexander Looby Theater, 2301 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville

Tickets: $15 ($12 for students/seniors)

Contact: www.twtp.org

• Adult situations/language; not recommended for young children.