Last week, the Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance opened Jaclyn Backhaus’ comedy, Men on Boats.
Exploring the true(ish) story of John Wesley Powell and his accompanying crew’s 1869 exploration of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon, Backhaus’ play is based on the published diary of Powell, who recorded his team’s adventures. The playwright takes this moment in history and makes it refreshingly contemporary, using a lens from the present to explore a story from the past. This fast-paced comedy features a cast of women and nonbinary actors who tell the story with modern vernacular while dressed in late 1800s-inspired garb, resulting in a modern take on an ancient adventure story that introduces and explores themes and current issues of race and gender and makes the show rich with modern subtext.
Audiences travel through a hilarious adventure dramedy while 10 explorers set off to chart raging waters, navigate struggles and losses, and explore friendships—all under the guidance of Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran.
John Wesley Powell has a close connection with Central Illinois and Illinois State University. After leading the first government-sponsored passage through the Grand Canyon, Powell went on to education, research, and government. He became a professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, helped establish an anthropological archive at Illinois State University, and was the second director of the United States Geological Survey.
Senior acting major Amanda Hoople, who portrays Powell, shares what stepping into Powell’s shoes means for them in this contemporary production.
“It’s been incredibly fascinating reading about the real-life Powell and the expedition of his crew, learning about their real-life quirks, struggles, and squabbles, and figuring out how to show their real personalities in a comedic way,” Hoople said. “At the same time, it’s been a sobering experience to call out and bring clear attention to the wrongdoings of these men in their dismissiveness of Native culture and civilization, while still performing in a comedy and wanting the audience to care about your character.”
A ticket to the production of Men on Boats is a ticket to an adventurous expedition you will not regret.
Remaining performances are Friday and Saturday, February 24-25, at 7:30 p.m. in Westhoff Theatre.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Center for the Performing Arts box office on the campus of Illinois State University, by calling (309) 438-2535, or online. Free performance parking is available in the School Street parking deck in spots 250 and above, at 400 W. Beaufort Street in Normal.
