Theater Review On Children Of Eden

Theater review on Children of Eden

Children of Eden is an extraordinary family musical full of biblical allegories and symbols that are presented in a new light. It caused a widespread concern and let the audience review their attitude to the good old-fashioned vision of the Bible.

The play was scheduled from the 26^th of October to the 11^th of November at Cal State Fullerton s Clayes Performing Arts Center, so that during this period everyone had a chance to enjoy the performance. The age or sex of spectator does not really matter, each of them, either kid or adult, could experience the magnificence and kind-heartedness of this play. It definitely would not happen without the close-knit cooperation and mutual trust between such artists as Stephen Schwartz (talented composer and lyricist), John Caird (a playwright and stage director), Rufus Bonds Jr. (sensual actor and also writer), David Lamoureaux (music magician or simply to say musical director), William F. Lett (choreographer) and, of course, the most gifted cast of Children of Eden .

Not only the acting that could grab the attention of audience, but also bright and unique clothing made by costume designer Whitney Claytor, makeup and hair design by Kate Galleran, lighting and sound design by Jean-Yves Tessier and Lauren Zuiderveld, an the last but not least scenic design performed by Mauri Smith.

The overall storytelling is quite clear and simple this play contains stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and the Ark of Noah. Nevertheless the shifts between parables may be drastic each of them is told successively as it is in the Bible, so that it makes easier to percept the play. The plot is based on the Book of Genesis, however, it is noticeable an actual both now and always conflict of children and parents as well as the topic of close-knit family relationship. These two core messages are observed throughout the whole play in relationships between Adam (Jeff Garrido) and Father (Jack O Leary), Cain (personified by Dillon Klena) and Adam, Japheth (Timothy H. Lee) and his father Noah.

The first scene accompanied by the choral Let it be opens with the Father they intentionally do not call him God to define and emphasize on the main conflict of child and parent in the play that is creating animals, vegetation, and human being, pouring light of sun around and filling the world with a veritable word. It may seem at the beginning that is a little bit ad hoc, however, later on the professional play and synergy of Jeff Garrido (Adam) and Brianna Clark (Eve) in the episode of The Naming totally captured the attention and hearts of spectators.

The next strong scene to be outlined is called In Pursuit of Excellence where Clark got completely devoted to her role playing curious and na ve character while the snake (that actually consisted of 7 actors) in all efforts was trying to seduce her. It is also worth to outline the use of alliteration in this scene (repetition of consonant s by the snake) that helped to keep intriguing and from time to time spine-chilling atmosphere.

In the second scene the audience get stunned by crazy African beats and rhythms performed by choir flashlights and searchlights are running around when finally illuminate the ark on the stage. The same well-known Noah ark of life is standing there all the creatures are in couples playful and in the expectation to survive the World Flood The Return of the Animals is playing. Japheth smuggled Yonah (Yadira Del Rincon), a servant girl, on the board of the ark and the conflict between son and father rises again, however, this time it seems to be different. Noah is thoughtful, he is not sure what to do either throw Japheth and Yonah out or let them marry and be under the threat of the Father s rage. It may even seem to be unclear his attitude to the son. However, he let them both stay in the same way solving one problem, but creating another one the Father doesn t speak to him anymore. The image of actor conveys deep despair, he completely belongs to the character of Noah, running from one side of the stage to another suddenly he stands still and scream Father! it is such a persuasive acting.

In spite of the perfect acting, fabulous costumes and makeup, and talented actors there still was one drawback. Since the play was full of special effects the dialogues were not always audible and clear, sometimes words were dropping out or the sounds seemed to be muffled.

All in all there were more advantages than disadvantages. Though, it is important to outline lighting and sound effects among them. The bright and running all over the stage and hall lights in the episode set in Eden served to develop an antithesis with the dark and less alluring Wasteland. On the other hand, sounds helped to dive deep in the soul and feelings of each character as in Yonah s Stranger to The Rain . Also the second act was delivered in quite alive manner, strong vocals and well-turned movements, especially such performances as The Flood, or Ain t it Good? in the very end of the play.

Despite the fact that this play is filled with complex metaphors and allegories this is story that we all know from the very childhood.