News
Abigail Adams At Historical Association's Annual Meeting
By Muriel J. Smith
MIDDLETOWN - It was Abigail Adams' patriotism and enthusiasm for the new America her husband was helping to form that first attracted Kim Hanley to the second First Lady of the United States.
"She's just so focused," says Hanley, who has been bringing Adams to life through her costumed portrayals for 10 years.
"She is such a clear thinker and was so advanced for her era when it comes to the importance of women's education and the new America, something she wanted for her children and grandchildren."
Hanley began portraying Adams after a career in the garment industry, another in musical theater, and an education that spans both ballet and a degree in decorative arts restoration.
Hanley also is fond of John Adams, noting he had written to Abigail, after a failed romantic interlude, to admit he was drawn to her "unladylike abilities of reading, writing, and thinking."
"She is wonderful to portray," Ms. Hanley said, "because it simply means bringing emotion to the emotional words we have recorded in history."
During the presentation at the Taylor-Butler House, Ms. Hanley portrays Mrs. Adams in the 1780s, in the period after the Revolution and the signing of the Treaty of Paris, and just before she embarks from Massachusetts to join John in Europe. Her portrayal highlights Abigail both as a mother concerned for the future happiness and education of her children, as well as the concerned wife eager to join her husband who is so often gone from home. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
Ms. Hanley first studied ballet as a child, studying both with the School of American Ballet in New York, and the Andre Eglezsky Company in Long Island. She was a production coordinator in the garment industry for eight years before deciding to earn her degree from the State University of New York at F.I.T. in the Restoration and History of Decorative Arts. While in musical theater, she toured with the national company of "She Loves Me," and also appeared in "Mame," and "A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum." Currently, in addition to her work with the American Historic Theater, she also performs in children's theater in Pennsylvania.
For the Historic Theater, in addition to Abigail Adams, Kim Hanley also portrays Alice Roosevelt, the head-strong daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, Annie Oakley and Betsy Ross.
The program is being presented at The Taylor-Butler House, 127 King's Highway, Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. Donations of $10 are requested to help underwrite the cost of the presentation. Refreshments will be served, and parking is available at the Middletown Village School.
Reservations to attend the Jan. 27 program can be made by calling (732) 462-1466.
