YOUNGSTOWN — According to an old saying, “History is written by the victors.”

Considering women didn’t even have the right to vote in the U.S. until 1920 (and 24 years after that in France), it might be more accurate to say history is written by the victorious men.

Lauren Gunderson’s play “The Revolutionists” gives voice to the women of the French revolution while rippling with ideas that are just as relevant today.

The play, which opened Friday at Youngstown State University, is described as a “feisty feminist comedy,” but that really only describes the first act. Comedy gives way to tragedy as three of its characters, all historical figures, meet their fate at the end of a guillotine blade.

As a play about writing a play, “The Revolutionists” is filled with theater in-jokes and more “Les Miserables” barbs than a production of “Forbidden Broadway.” Its humor is very meta, perhaps too meta, particularly when the play takes a far more serious tone in the second act, but it’s ambitious and audacious.

One thing is certain, though. The four students in the cast, director Matthew Mazuroski and the staff at Youngstown State University Theatre do a stellar job with the piece.

The three historical figures — Olympe de Gouges (Meganne Evans), a French playwright and outspoken abolitionist and advocate of women’s rights; Charlotte Corday (Elise Vargo), a French revolutionary who assassinated Jean-Paul Marat; and Marie Antoinette (Amberlynn Zuccarell), the last Queen of France — are joined by Marianne Angelle (Grayson McCrory), a Haitian rebel who is a composite character representing those who fought against slavery and colonialism in the island nation controlled by France.

Marianne wants Olympe to write pamphlets that will advance her cause. Charlotte wants the playwright to provide the perfect last words for her inevitable execution after accomplishing her plan to kill Marat. Marie Antoinette is looking for an image makeover.

Olympe wants an audience for her work and for her writing to be remembered. The other characters, particularly Marianne, make its increasingly clear to her that it will be impossible to make a difference while remaining on sidelines.

“The Revolutionists” is Olympe’s story, and Evans handles the role’s many challenges flawlessly. She drives the humor in the first act, and keeps the audience on her side, even as Olympe threatens Marie as the most self-centered character in the story.

McCrory is just as good as Marianne, whether its bantering with Olympe in the early scenes, talking about her husband with Marie or dealing with each dramatic twist the story takes.

Vargo’s Charlotte is darkly comedic presence early on as the knife-wielding would-be assassin, and she effortlessly switches to heartbreaking in the second act as she recounts the details of her arrest and realizes the unintended consequences of her actions.

Zuccarell initially plays Marie like she’s a Kardashian or some other all-surface social influencer with a kajillion followers but gradually reveals the woman beneath the boldly colorful dress and elaborate wig (all of the costumes by Katherine Garlick are exquisite.)

Mazuroski keeps the show in almost constant motion. Four characters engaging in witty barbs and philosophical debates could be dull and static. This production never is, and Mazuroski makes that movement feel natural. Without giving away any spoilers, there is a wonderful bit of staging in the second act involving a letter. Mazuroski makes sure the audience sees the letter and grasps what it means before it’s seen by one of the characters, creating a moment filled with dramatic tension.

One of the most important elements of the production is Johnny Pecano’s sound design. The action plays out on a mostly bare stage with a platform, ramp and steps (set design by Todd Dicken) as well as Olympe’s writing desk. Sound is used to set the scene and create the mood, whether it’s the swift descent of a guillotine blade or a persistent drip that transforms a corner of the stage into a cold, damp prison cell. Nicholas Wix’s lighting design also is integral to creating those shifts.

If you go …

WHAT: “The Revolutionists”

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

WHERE: Spotlight Theater,Bliss Hall, 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.