ABOUT THE PLAY

Steven Schwartz wrote Children of Eden almost fifteen years ago, and for anyone who has had the experience of seeing or hearing it, it remains one of his most memorable pieces today. The theme and melodies of Children of Eden capture the heart and soul of each of us as we contemplate the complexities of parenting; learning along with Father, Adam, and Noah that ‘the hardest part of love,’ is indeed, ‘the letting go’…

In the book of Genesis, we learn Father created the world in seven days and each and every part of it was good. By featuring two of the most well known stories of the Judea-Christian tradition in his musical, Schwartz has found a wonderful way to teach us some most valuable life lessons. Eve shows us the goodness of all creation and continues faithfully to believe in second chances. Though Yonah is an invention of the author and not actually a part of Talmudic history, she becomes the catalyst for showing us the goodness of the Father shining through all His children. As Father and Noah watch their families grow, making choices both good and bad-yet remaining faithful-they learn from them. Father learns from Adam, Eve, and Noah; Noah from Japheth and Yonah. Father in turn teaches us, as He learned from His children, forgiveness and second chances.

Tonight our ensemble seeks to share the wonders of creation with you as well as telling the stories of Adam and Noah. We hope to leave you with this most precious gift, that despite our mistakes, weaknesses, and shortcomings, we are forgiven and forgiving. We are the “Children of Eden.”

Jill Campbell