“It’s interesting to me to sort of take that idea of male conquest,
give it to someone who usually doesn’t have that right,
and sort of put that into the roles themselves.”
– Jaclyn Backhaus, playwright
“Men on Boats is the true(ish) story of the first government sanctioned expedition of the Grand Canyon,” explains Ashlee Latimer, Tony Award winner and director of Clarence Brown Theatre’s production of the show, “but the characters, white cis men, are not played by white cis men.”
This play, written by Jaclyn Backhaus, is a retelling of an historical journey, following John Wesley Powell’s 1869 adventure through the Green and Colorado rivers, told by those who would not have been there themselves. “Women, non-binary folks, a mix of people telling a story about our country,” says Latimer when asked about the cast.
When finding ways to engage with the gender bending aspect of the show, Latimer turns, in part, to the characters’ costumes. “They are costumed with a mix of feminine and masculine pieces, with silhouettes on rich British women, but fabric is an on the road type. With the concept of the show, most of the characters are not in stereotypical male costumes,” Latimer explains. This show seeks to explore what we still have in common with these characters and what has changed.
In its simplest form, this is an historical play but Latimer doesn’t want that to deter anyone from seeing the production. “It is really funny. There is a lot of humor and weird fun moments that depart from realism; it is really accessible and invigorating,” the director says laughingly, “We think of history as some dusty thing sometimes, and this could be a great way to engage with it.” It is a comedic adventure story told in a new way that Latimer hopes students and the Knoxville community will use to get back into the theatre. “It really is a great way to jump back in,” shares Latimer.
UT undergraduates in the production include: Jasmine R. Handy (John Wesley Powell); Allison Hahn (William Dunn); Sidney Scarlett (John Colton Sumner); Cameron Skillen (Bradley); Madison M. Mansouri (Old Shady); Sarah Wahrmund (O.G./Howland/Tsauwait); Abigail McCarter (Seneca/Howland/The Bishop); Catherine Blevins (Frank Goodman/Mr. Asa); Ella Trisler (Hall); and Sarah Hazelnut (Hawkins).
Men on Boats will run from Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, April 2 at the LAB Theatre in Clarence Brown Theatre. For more information, showtimes, or tickets, visit the CBT website online clarencebrowntheatre.com or call the Box Office at (865) 974-5161.
