Matthew Mazuroski thought Lauren Gunderson’s “The Revolutionists” was a timely play when Youngstown State University Theatre was putting together its 2022-23 season last school year.

It’s only gotten more so as it approaches opening night on Friday.

“It’s so resonant it’s not even funny,” said Mazuroski, an associate professor of acting and directing.

Described as a “feisty feminist comedy,” “The Revolutionists” is set in Paris in 1793, and its four-woman cast includes three historical figures — Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France; Charlotte Corday, a French revolutionary who assassinated Jean-Paul Marat; and Olympe de Gouges, a French playwright and outspoken abolitionist and advocate of women’s rights. All three women were executed by guillotine.

The fourth character, Marianne Angelle, a Haitian rebel who is a composite of several women, “represents what was happening in Haiti at that time and the people of color also fighting for their rights,” Mazuroski said.

The play brings the four women together as they try to write a play about women’s rights and complete it before their executions.

“Gunderson is so clever in the way she writes,” Mazuroski said. “She can take you to these extremes, swing from one emotion to another, one style or another … This is a comedy, but there are places where it does get very emotional, deeply moving.

“She uses things from the historical record and brings them into the now. She takes these historical characters and uses modern language and modern vocal inflections and really sets up echoes that continue to this day.”

Those echoes include the increased political activism following the recent Supreme Court decision that weakened abortion rights to protests in Iran over gender-based oppression.

While the dialogue has a contemporary tone, Mazuroski is staging the play with costuming that reflects its late 18th century setting.

“We talked about doing a couple of different ways,” he said. “We decided to go with period costumes. I love the contrast of the period costumes and the language. I think it helps awaken the script.”

The cast includes Meganne Evans as de Gouges, Grayson McCrory as Angelle, Elise Vargo as Corday and Amberlynn Zuccarell as Antoinette.

After the cast was chosen, he asked how many of them considered themselves feminists. No one raised their hands. Mazuroski said he believes its meaning has been co-opted by those who use terms like “feminazis” to describe feminism, which he said simply is the belief that men and women should have equal opportunities.

“I encourage everyone who sees the struggle going on now, not only in this country but around the world, who empathize at all with that journey, the opportunity to be together and laugh at the ridiculousness of some things but also be connected with another and also these women from the past.”

If you go …

WHAT: “The Revolutionists”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 9

WHERE: Bliss Hall’s Ford Theater, Youngstown State University

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $16 adults, $8 for non-YSU students and YSU Alumni Society Penguin Club and Regional Chamber members and free for YSU students and are available online at www.ysu.tix.com and by calling 330-941-3105.