Screen capture of CTC’s Feb. 5 statement
Wakefield,Rhode Island – A regional theater has clarified its decision to cancel a production of Lauren Gunderson’s play,The Revolutionists,following the release of emails linking the playwright’s estranged husband to Jeffrey Epstein. The Contemporary Theater Company (CTC) maintains the cancellation wasn’t intended to damage Gunderson’s reputation, but rather stemmed from logistical issues after actors began withdrawing from auditions.
audition Cancellations Prompted Swift Action
The theater company says the timing of the email release and lack of immediate comment from Gunderson forced a quick decision.
The CTC initially announced the removal of The Revolutionists from its 2026 season in a as-deleted social media post. the company stated the decision was due to Gunderson’s “connection to Jeffrey Epstein” as detailed in documents released by the department of Justice. Though, in a statement issued today, the CTC emphasized that the release of the emails last Friday, coupled with the absence of a public response from Gunderson at the time, led to actors canceling audition appointments, jeopardizing pre-production deadlines.
Gunderson, a critically acclaimed playwright known for her feminist themes, responded to the cancellation with a blistering statement on Instagram, expressing disagreement with the CTC’s decision but hoping they would continue to support feminist plays. The situation arose after emails surfaced showing Gunderson’s husband, Nathan Wolfe, was included on Epstein’s guest list for their 2012 wedding invitation, which was sent via Paperless Post. She stated she was unaware of her husband’s dialog with Epstein until recently and that their separation predates the release of the emails.
Wolfe, in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, said he met with Epstein professionally at his homes in New York and Palm Beach to discuss his research, but never witnessed any misconduct. He also expressed regret over the tone of some emails, describing it as “overfamiliarity and poor judgment.”
- the Contemporary Theater Company canceled a production of Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists following the release of emails linking her husband to Jeffrey Epstein.
- The CTC maintains the decision was based on logistical issues caused by actors canceling auditions.
- Gunderson has publicly stated she had no knowledge of or connection to Epstein.
- Her husband, Nathan Wolfe, acknowledged meeting with Epstein to discuss research funding.
- The CTC hopes to produce Gunderson’s work in the future.
the Revolutionists is a historical comedy centered on four women who were executed during the French Revolution. Gunderson expressed disagreement with the CTC’s decision but hoped they would continue to support feminist plays. The 100-seat CTC, founded in 2005, is a highly regarded theater company that produces more performances annually than any other in the state.
