Utah playwright wants to change perception of early polygamy in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A Utah playwright wants to change the conversation about polygamy and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church member Taylor Vaughn explains that he wrote “The Principle Wife” as a reaction to questions about polygamy from friends who weren’t members of the Church.
Because it was the number one question that was asked of us—continually—and because they had never been given a satisfactory answer, Vaughn told KUTV.
Vaughn wanted to push back against the idea that polygamy was “salacious attempt for sexual encounters” and to “honor our ancestors by telling a mainstream audience how anyone could possibly live this way.”
He wanted to write a story that could be easily understood regardless of the audience’s religious beliefs.
“We approached it as a story about romance rather than religion. We based it on the premise that love could overcome any obstacle.”
Vaughn also saw “The Principle Wife” as a way to present a different view of Mormonism than what had been portrayed in shows like “Big Love,” “Sister Wives,” “Under the Banner of Heaven,” and “Angels in America.”
Those productions took the easy, stereotypical road of Mormon-bashing or the Mormon-teasing by defaulting to a cult explanation," he explained. "We wanted to answer the [polygamy] question in a different way; that it truly was based on love of God, and love for each other.
Vaughn’s idea was to explore a situation where polygamy made sense, even to those who didn’t believe in revelation or found the idea of God commanding anyone to participate in polygamy to be “ridiculous.”
“We needed to instigate the process of agreeing to live plural marriage with a way the world would understand it.”
Vaughn explains that he always saw “The Principle Wife” as a musical. Unfortunately, he wasn’t acquainted with a composer who could take the journey with him. So, undaunted, Vaughn wrote the story as a screenplay. Over the decades the script was optioned by the likes of Michael Apted and Suzanne de Passe.
“Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper privately expressed a desire to consider it just before the pandemic.”
But it didn’t happen.
Ten or so years ago Vaughn was reminded by a mentor that the material had a “Fiddler on the Roof” sensibility to it. There was interest in the story, maybe transforming the material into a musical could lead to success.
Vaughn worked with three different composers on three separate occasions. It never congealed.
“It wasn’t until a serendipitous introduction with Jonathan Keith that everything came together in a singular weekend where we wrote five songs in less than 24 hours and an additional 25 songs in 25 days. That began a 10-year journey that brought us to this point.”
In all, the journey to seeing “The Principle Wife” performed has taken 32 years. During that time Vaughn worked on other projects, devoted time to his family, but he never gave up on the story.
“It has simply been one of our cherished projects that everyone seems to connect with, and as a result, has always held a very special place in our hearts.”
“The Principle Wife” opened July 7, 2023, at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, Utah. The audience reaction has been overwhelming.
I know this sounds like exaggeration, but the feedback has been nearly 100% positive," Vaughn explained. "If there is any concern or criticism, it has been about very small things, such as editing a song, or editing a story point to help make it more tight.
Vaughn shares that it has been a life-affirming experience.
The future of the play is undetermined. Broadway is a dream, but international interest might see the play touring Europe or staying closer to home with runs in Washington or California. Ultimately, it is a question of resources and financing. The immediate hope is that the Provo performances will help to fund a proper soundtrack recording of the songs.
“We are filled with appreciation for how far we’ve come, and yet, we believe that we have earned the right to be here.”