By Aurelio Sanchez /
Journal Staff Writer
There were two things that drew Georgia Athearn to directing Arlene Hutton's “As It Is in Heaven” at the Desert Rose Playhouse.
The first was that Athearn is always looking plays with good roles for women. The second was that the story deserves to be told of a utopian society that practiced social, gender, economic and spiritual equality.
“I would say that the times today call for a little more of that kind of a message,” Athearn said.
Seventy-five years before the Emancipation Proclamation and 150 years before women got the vote, the Shakers had already freed their slaves and had given women equal footing with men in all matters, Athearn said. Calling themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, they became pejoratively known as the Shakers because of their ecstatic ritual dancing.
The sect was formed around the time of the American Revolution by a woman named Ann Lee, who later became spiritual mother to a small group of about eight pilgrims who had fled England in favor of religious freedom.
By 1840, there were more than 6,000 Shakers in 19 communities spread throughout New England. They believed in pacifism, celibacy, work and craftsmanship as the most direct road to God. They invented many useful devices, including the clothespin and circular saw, but never saw a need to patent anything, believing their contributions should be shared for free.
Though they added to their ranks through enlistment and adoptions, their commitment to celibacy was their fatal flaw, Athearn believes.
Hutton's “As It Is in Heaven” focuses on nine women in an 1839 community of Shakers in Kentucky. The leader, Hannah, is locked in a fight with a young newcomer, Fanny, for the hearts and minds of the other Shakers. Hannah suspects Fanny is a “winter shaker,” or one who joins to escape cold, privation or hunger.
Fanny claims she sees angels, and is thus excused from her communal work to celebrate her “gift.” Soon, all the sisters are seeing angels, and the pattern of work and prayer that fuels the community is sputtering.
It's believed there are less than a handful of Shakers remaining in the world. Still, Athearn said their story merits retelling. The play includes 10 songs, all sung a cappella.
“As It Is in Heaven”
WHEN: Friday, May 2-May 18. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Desert Rose Playhouse, 6921 Montgomery NE
HOW MUCH: Tickets $12. For reservations, call 881-0503 or e-mail desertroseabq@yahoo.com
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