CREATIVE TEAM: Preparing “Legacy of Light” at McCarter Theatre has been a happy collaboration for, from left: Karen Zacarias, Gina Fonseca, Allen Gilmore, Lenne Klingaman, Trey DeLuna, Kimberly Chatterjee, Zach Fine, and Sarah Rasmussen.

By Anne Levin

How does being a woman scientist in 18th century France compare to following a similar path in 21st century Princeton? That, along with other questions about career, family, love, and astrophysics form the basis of Legacy of Light, a comedy by Karen Zacarias opening at McCarter Theatre March 19 and running through April 6.

First produced in 2009 at Washington’s Arena Stage, where Zacarias is a playwright-in-residence, the play intertwines the stories of French scientist Emilie du Chatelet, who lived from 1706 to 1749, with that of a modern-day astrophysicist. The six characters in the ensemble include Chatelet and another historical figure, Voltaire.

“The play is very buoyant. There’s a lot of joy in it,” said McCarter’s Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen, who is directing the production. “We’re right now doing run-throughs, and it’s just great fun. Karen Zacarias is here, and she’s been wonderful.”

To reflect changes in science that have taken place in the 16 years since Legacy of Light premiered, Zacarias has done some rewriting. “She actually got back into it, because the science has changed,” said Rasmussen.

The website scientificwomen.net identifies Emilie du Chatelet as a French mathematician, physicist, and author during the Age of Enlightenment.

“Her crowning achievement is considered to be her translation and commentary on Isaac Newton’s work Principia Mathematica,” it reads. “Voltaire, one of her lovers, declared in a letter to his friend King Frederick II of Prussia that du Chatelet was ‘a great man whose only fault was being a woman.’ ”

“She’s been lost to history in too many ways,” said Rasmussen. “She was an amazing scientist who made incredible contributions, which were built upon by Einstein. People will learn a lot.”

To consult on the scientific themes in the play, McCarter reached out to Princeton University’s Astrophysics department. Through their children, Rasmussen knew of Professor Jenny Greene, who was recently honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring by former President Biden, for her work with prisons. A connection was made.

“We’ve learned so much from her about the concrete astrophysics in the play,” said Rasmussen. “She’s been generous with her time, meeting with me, our dramaturg Julie Felise Dubiner, and the cast. We’ve been so inspired by her own teaching journey and her knowledge. I loved delving into the science of this play, and what astrophysicists are thinking when they look at the stars.”

Tony Award-winning lighting designer and Princeton University professor Jane Cox returns to McCarter to light a show for the first time in nearly two decades, joined by co-lighting designer Tess James.

“The set and costumes are gorgeous, and the lighting is amazing,” said Rasmussen. “Jane Cox said ‘I have to work on this.’ ”

In one sense, Legacy of Light reminds Rasmussen of a Shakespeare play. “There are moments of gravity, but then also a lot of joy and heart,” she said. “The play is about the ongoing legacy of Voltaire and Emilie, but also the family legacy of what we pass on to people we love through the work we do in the world. It all feels very life-affirming.”

Rasmussen has been an admirer of Zacarias’ work for years. “I’d known about this play for a long time. Our dramaturg was one of the first to read it,” she said. “We read it out loud, and we knew. The combination of its setting in Princeton and in France is so much fun. It felt like something our audience would enjoy. It has a lot of intellectual heft, but beauty and grace as well. It has a contemporary story line, but h a sweeping drama that takes you to another place in time.”

McCarter Theatre is at 91 University Place. Visit mccarter.org for ticket information.