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Beautiful Tuneful Children
By Rob Stevens
Musical Theatre West in Long Beach has mounted a beautiful production of the musical Children of Eden to launch their 48th season. Stephen (Godspell, Pippin) Schwartz’s score is one of the very best to surface in the 1990s. There are over two dozen tunes in this retelling (book by John Caird) of the first eight chapters of the Bible. The first act deals with the early bliss of Adam (Adrian Zmed) and Eve (LaTonya Holmes), their children Cain (David Burham) and Abel (Daniel May), and the loss of Eden. Father (the dynamic LaQuin Groves) created the world and everything in it, and he is a loving but unforgiving entity. Father is even more stoic and unbending in the second act as he prepares to flood the world to rid it of the stain of Cain. Only Noah (Zmed) and his family are to be spared, along with two of each animal aboard the enormous Ark. The theme throughout is parents and children and the need to let them grow, move on, and make their own decisions. It’s a wonderful uplifting message.
Caird’s book is slight and overly corny at times. It’s the songs that move this show along. Schwartz has written many lovely ballads, a snazzy jazzy turn for the Serpent, some rocking numbers, and a gorgeous ballet for the animals. Director Wayne Bryan has filled the stage with wonderful voices. Zmed, at times wooden and at times overly large, shoulders his dual roles well with a pleasant voice. Groves’ bass booms as Father’s should. Holmes raises the rafters with her belting, especially the gospel-tinged "Ain’t It Good?" Burnham is the real standout in the show as the rebellious Cain and the equally determined Japheth. He finds a good match in Kristine Remigio as Yonah and their duet of "In Whatever Time We Have" is one of many highlights.
Bryan’s direction keeps his large cast of 60-plus moving gracefully across J. Branson’s simple but effective scenic design. Beth Dukleth has added some lively choreography and Raun Yankovich has lighted the stage with pretty pastels. Musical Director Michael Brill has done a great job with this lovely score. Children of Eden deserves a much longer stay in the L.A. area. It makes The Lion King sound like a pauper.
Children of Eden, produced by Paul Garman for Musical Theatre West at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Palo Verde and Atherton in Long Beach. (562) 430-2324. $20-38. Wed-Sat, 8; Sun, 7; Sat & Sun, 2. Closes Nov. 19.
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