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Monday, March 20, 2023

Day 393 Pittsburgh Playhouse, Men on Boats- A Historic Comical Expedition: An Adventurous Spirit is Inclusive

 


Point Park Conservatory Theater recently brought Men on Boats, a tale of John Westly Powell's 1869 river exploration of the Grand Canyon, to the Pittsburgh Playhouse.  This play inspired by Powell’s actual travel logs intertwines history and humor.  It uses an all-female cast as male explores. This twist  celebrates the adventurous spirit in all of us.   

Refection

Powell (Haley Holme), a one armed Civil War veteran and a motley crew of 10, navigate 4 boats through sharp turns, rapids, whirlpools and waterfalls to map out this unknow territory.  There are many punches of humor such as hysteria ensuing when snakes are discovered in a boat and  Powell climbing  to safety with one arm.  

The company’s physicality is impressive as they row, swim when capsized, and kick through the water lined perimeter of the unique set. The occasional crew's rhythmic chants and percussion accompaniment emulates the monotony of a three month river ride. Their body language, like a pantomime, immerses the audience in the adventure.


Similar to the musical “Hamilton,” this play fueled my further investigation of the 1869 expedition. Fact cards about the original journey in the Playhouse lobby heightened the historic experience. 

Powell’s trip was the first recorded passage of  white men entering the Grand Canyon.  Men on Boats, gives us the first women.

It is a fresh perspective to see someone, who looked like me, conquer nature, even if that part is a fiction. What is not a fiction, are the numerous adventurous women that I have met and who’s stories are yet to be told. Men On Boats reminds us that the spirit of adventure and exploration is all inclusive.

(Pittsburgh Playhouse 22-23 season brings a variety of music, dance and drama to downtown Pittsburgh.  The Point Park Conservatory 22-23 season ends with  Sense and Sensibility -  go to  Pittsburgh Playhouse for tickets )

Spiritual Reflection

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ. (Galatians 3:28)

 Other Sources

 https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/index

https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/shows-events/conservatoryTheatre/sense-and-sensibility

https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/shows-events/index

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/canyon-john-wesley-powells-first-expedition/