WAUPUN — Presented by local theater group Waupun Community Players, “A Poison Pen Letter to an Angel” is an historical drama based on the true events of a ransom threat against the Shaler-Hanisch family and the Recording Angel statue.
The performance of the play coincided with the 100th anniversary of Loredo Taft’s Recording Angel sculpture placement in Waupun, a memorial to the late wife of one of Waupun’s most influential figures, Clarence Addison Shaler.
They held two performances at Waupun City Hall Auditorium in the evening of October 7th with the first showing receiving a full audience.
“The play takes place in 1928 during the Roaring 20’s where Americans experienced a post-war economic boom. The culture at that time clashed with the tightened restrictions of vice activities, particularly alcohol. Prohibition was put into place making it illegal to manufacture, import, and sell beer, wine and hard liquor. Thus the rise of bootleggers, speak easies, and associated crime that came to be with the spirit of the roaring 20’s.”
“The plot of the play is intertwined with bootlegging, blackmail, destruction, and a diabolical scheme aimed at one of Waupun’s notorious families; the Shaler-Hanisch Clan. Marion Shaler Hanisch is the recipient of the poison pen letter that threatens her husband’s life and the destruction of her beloved mother’s memorial statue, the Recording Angel. This story of evil-doing is told by a reporter from the Waupun Leader News and all clues, tips, and facts of the crime are shared with the audience. It is a true tale and truly a “who done it” mystery. The audience is a part of the investigation and weighs in on who committed this crime in our fair city of Waupun in January 1928.”
Watch the full play on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/xi4WGTKCQwI
