A SIMPLE GIFT

by T. Cat Ford

A SIMPLE GIFT is an a cappella musical set in a Shaker community in the late 1830's​, when​ the Shaker movement was at ​its​ height.​ With over 6,000 members, their farms were prosperous​;​ and ​after a charismatic revival, ​their spirituality ​included​ visions, ​speaking in tongues, and ​elaborate rituals​.​ Into this setting a vagrant​ ​Appalachian girl appears. She is running from an abusive fundamentalist...

A SIMPLE GIFT is an a cappella musical set in a Shaker community in the late 1830's​, when​ the Shaker movement was at ​its​ height.​ With over 6,000 members, their farms were prosperous​;​ and ​after a charismatic revival, ​their spirituality ​included​ visions, ​speaking in tongues, and ​elaborate rituals​.​ Into this setting a vagrant​ ​Appalachian girl appears. She is running from an abusive fundamentalist preacher father and toward what she sees as her salvation, the devil. Having never experienced a safe environment, she questions everything. Where is she? Is this heaven on earth​--​as the Shakers literally believe​--​or hell?

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A SIMPLE GIFT

Recommended by

  • D.W. Gregory: A SIMPLE GIFT by T. Cat Ford
    “

    This is such an exquisite play, so beautifully written. Married to traditional music of the people, it is simply a breathtaking experience. I read it a while ago and it still resonates in my mind. The world of the Shakers is fascinating, and T. Cat Ford knows it well, rendering it in affectionate detail. These characters have taken what we might think of a strange path, but their faith and strength is unmistakable.

    This is such an exquisite play, so beautifully written. Married to traditional music of the people, it is simply a breathtaking experience. I read it a while ago and it still resonates in my mind. The world of the Shakers is fascinating, and T. Cat Ford knows it well, rendering it in affectionate detail. These characters have taken what we might think of a strange path, but their faith and strength is unmistakable.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: A SIMPLE GIFT by T. Cat Ford
    “

    A fantastic musical shining a light on fundamentalist religion and the search for salvation after trauma. Well done!

    A fantastic musical shining a light on fundamentalist religion and the search for salvation after trauma. Well done!

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, The York Theatre Company, 2014
  • Reading, StreetSigns Center for Literature and Language, 2013
  • Reading, Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre , 2006
  • Reading, Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, 2001