University Players to Perform Men on Boats
Cast members for The University of Scranton Players’ production of “Men on Boats,” which will run Nov.15-17 and 22-24, are, from left, Emmalee Lafean, Gillian Williams-Mayers, Hannah Mackes, Katie Karpiak, Reagan White, Reilly Charles, Bridget Fry, Natalie Gray, Shaye Santos, Keidy Barrientos and Ellen O’Brien Sherry. Photo is by Abby Healey.The University of Scranton Players will present the Northeastern Pennsylvania premiere of Jaclyn Backhaus’ breakout play “Men on Boats” directed by Jennifer Rhoads. Backhaus’ play has quickly ascended to the status of essential theatre after its 2016 Off-Broadway run. University Players will present “Men on Boats” Nov.15-17 and 22-24. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8pm. Sunday’s shows are at 2pm. All shows in the Royal Theatre in the McDade Center for the Literary and Performing Arts on the University’s campus.
It’s 1869 and famed explorer John Wesley Powell leads a quartet of boats down the Grand Canyon to chart the course of the Colorado River. He takes with him 10 explorers, each with his own motivations, history and peculiarities. Jaclyn Backhaus’ “Men on Boats” takes Powell’s whitewater voyage and gives it a 21st century twist, with the male roles being performed by women. This gender swap creates hilarious and profound results – whose stories do we tell? What does it mean to “discover”? How is history created? And, who is it for?
The company of “Men on Boats” features Keidy Barrientos of Port Jervis, New York; Reilly Charles of Rockaway Park, New York; Bridget Fry of Hightstown, New Jersey; Natalie Gray of Glenside; Katie Karpiak of Scranton; Emmalee Lafean of Basking Ridge, New Jersey; Hannah Mackes of Tafton, Ellen O’Brien Sherry of Kingston, Shaye Santos of Wrightstown, New Jersey; Reagan White of Manahawkin, New Jersey; and Gillian Williams-Mayers of Scranton.
For tickets, contact the Players box office at 570-941-4318 or visit thescrantonplayers.com. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens, students, and University of Scranton faculty and staff. Performances during the second weekend are free for first-year students at the University.
For more information, contact players@scranton.edu or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the Players: The University of Scranton Players is an academic theatre program that brings exceptional theatre to Northeastern Pennsylvania every season. The Players’ productions feature University of Scranton students in a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists. 
