Grafton mother and daughter join cast of show celebrating women’s history

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By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer

Charlotte Eckler and her daughter, Angie Niver perform in the original musical, “We Did ItFor You! Women’s Journey Through History. Photos Submitted
Charlotte Eckler and her daughter, Angie Niver perform in the original musical, “We Did ItFor You! Women’s Journey Through History.
Photos Submitted

Grafton – Grafton residents Charlotte Eckler and her daughter, Angie Niver, are two of the performers in an original musical titled, “We Did It for You! Women’s Journey through History.” While the show entertains the audience, it conveys a powerful message about how women obtained their rights and the important roles so many women played in American history.

Stage Director Shirley Riga oversees the production and its more than 40 volunteer actors and crew members.

Originally performed in California, where the playwright Thea Iberall lived, it was reintroduced after the Women’s March in January 2017. The east coast premier was held on Women’s Equality Day, Aug. 26, 2017, in Medfield at the First Parish Unitarian Church. The revival of this play was the catalyst for women to gather and focus on their goals.

“The house was packed to capacity and many hoping to see the show had to be turned away,” said Eckler, a writer and artist who loves poetry and plays guitar in a band.

Her enthusiasm for the production is evident and she is passionate about the message that it promotes.

Angie Niver Photos Submitted
Angie Niver
Photos Submitted

“Women’s rights are under threat right now,” she said. “Democracy is being threatened and the rights of women are being taken away. Women fought and even died for rights.”

Angie will soon be turning 13 and will enter Grafton Middle School in the fall. She has participated in theater since childhood and so far, she has performed in “We Did It for You!” in 14 shows throughout Massachusetts, including at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Walpole Unitarian Church, Norfolk Public Library and The Amazing Things Art Center in Framingham.

In addition, Angie plays piano, takes art classes and runs track. She performed in “The Wizard of Oz” in school and is now involved with the Bremen Town Musicians with Upton Town Recreation.

“As the youngest member of the cast, I was a little nervous,” Angie recalled. “Before our premiere, we rehearsed quite intensely for about six weeks. Some of those rehearsals ended quite late. I think this experience for me has been huge. I am very aware of how women experience challenges in the world. I have found this to be empowering and educational. We, as women, are equal and we have to realize what is at stake.”

The production was recently invited to be the resident performance each month at The Amazing Things Art Center. In its first three shows, it drew a crowd of about 100 people and has received wonderful reviews.

On Sunday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m., the show will be performed at Faneuil Hall at 1 Faneuil Hall Square in Boston, again, on Women’s Equality Day. For tickets, visit wdify.eventbrite.com

For additional information and other show dates, visit www.wediditforyou.org.

 

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