Men on Boats

Men on Boats

Jaclyn Backhaus

Palo Alto Players

Palo Alto Players opens the 2015, Off-Broadway-premiering Men on Boats in which playwright Jaclyn Backhaus seeks to entertain and enlighten us about the first government-sanctioned trip in 1869 down the Green River as it spills ripping and roaring into what we now know as the Grand Canyon.  With a twist that mirrors the surprising bends and turns that this rag-tag group of adventurers will soon encounter, the playwright decides to tell the tale – one at times as tall as any piece of American folklore – through the voices of women (in this particular production, of ten actors who identify as female and non-binary).  The history of the incredible perseverance, risk, and often sacrifice of these ten, largely unknown white men unfolds with gusto, grit, and grin as these non-male actors of varying ethnic and racial backgrounds prove that they can grunt, snarl, spar, and spit as good or better than any man ever did in the great, unexplored outdoors.

For my full review, please click to my posting on the national website, Talkin’ Broadway.

Rating: 3 E

Men on Boats continues live performances through February 20 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.  On-demand, streamed performances are available February 17-20.  Tickets for both the live and streamed, Palo Alto Players production are available at www.paplayer.orgor by calling 650-329-0891.