 | asheville business & community directory |
|
This is an archived page that may contain outdated or incorrect information. Please visit www.Asheville.com for the latest news, events, and more.
Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, will present Children of Eden through August 21. Children of Eden is a new American musical that combines the music genius of Stephen Schwartz (composer of Godspell, and Broadway’s current biggest hit Wicked), with the brilliant writing style of John Caird (Les Misérables). The show is one of the top-twenty musicals licensed by Music Theatre International.
Children of Eden is freely based on the first nine chapters of the book of Genesis, starting with Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. After they are banished to the wasteland, the story continues and revolves around their children, Cain and Abel. The second act follows Noah and his family as they build the ark, gather the animals, and survive the great flood. Children of Eden portrays family conflict and growth that is universal to everyone. Humorous and often moving, it pulls at the heartstrings as generation after generation face the same problems and continue to make similar choices. Songs include: “Spark of Creation,” sung by Eve about yearning to learn “what is beyond” the garden, and taste the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Cain and Abel sing “Lost in the Wilderness,” when Cain is unsatisfied with being banished from the garden. The love song between Noah’s son Japheth and a servant girl, when they are told that she cannot come on the ark because she is a member of the race of Cain, called “Whatever Time We Have,” tells of undying love that even the flood can’t drown. The play is universal in its themes and focuses on relationships – parents and children, siblings, and cultures. “The real beauty of this play is how it reminds us all that we are one family of man, and the knowledge we gain from lessons learned should serve to bring us all closer,” says Paige Posey, director of the production. In developing the scenic elements of the show, designer Dennis C. Maulden wanted to create a space that would allow for the varied settings while leaving plenty of room for imagination. As a result, the stage is filled with color and texture, but is not limited to specific locations. The design allows for multiple levels and movable units to serve as props for the chorus of storytellers who guide the audience through the play. Symbolism is integral to the design - world cultures and ideas are represented throughout, and this element provides a segue to the costuming. Neutral tones of flowing and heavily textured fabrics give a sense of unity to the storytellers in act one and support the theme of the unlimited possibilities of this brand new world. In act two, more color and specific character elements are added to symbolize the growth of the world and cultures. This addition of color is best exemplified through the animal parade as Noah boards the different species onto the arc. Thirty-two costumes have been constructed for the parade, including species from butterflies to giraffes. The use of mixed media imparts a feel of the exotic puppetry made popular by recent Broadway productions. The cast of storytellers becomes the animals and also act as puppeteers. Lighting will serve to accent the elements and special effects, for example - the lightening bolt that marks Cain, has been carefully designed to add realism and excitement for the audience. Children of Eden is produced in part to benefit Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. Performances begin on July 27, and the play runs through August 21. Tickets are available for purchase by call the Box Office at 828-693-0731 or stopping by the Playhouse. A complete schedule is available at www.flatrockplayhouse.org. (Image provided by Flat Rock Playhouse.)
|
