November 17, 2011 | Theatre,

Husbands & Wives Apart

During the talkback, Clarke explained that this pair is played by a couple married in real life. A true collaboration, Uhry, Clarke and Solari all spoke warmly last night about how much their cast – many of whom had never spoken text or sung on stage before – brought to the evolution of Angel Reapers.

This piece also portrays the factually-based, complicated dynamic between Ann Lee (“Mother Ann,” the Shakers’ leader) and her biological brother William.  Originally married with children (and quite the ladies’ man by some accounts), William reformed and joined his sister’s Shaker colony. The two siblings shared a strange attraction—despite their apparent chemistry, the relationship never became incestuous.

Spoiler alert! Toward the end of the piece, audience members may wonder why the men dance naked. But Shaker men actually did this to prove they could rise above their carnal instincts—or perhaps it was to release some pent-up frustrations? Before the final haunting moments of the production, in many ways this part reminds us that despite all their efforts, the Shakers were never able to fully overcome their physical existence. As Uhry has said: “You can’t deny your sexuality…that’s how we got here.”