Children Of Eden is a Ticket To Paradise

Review by: Doug Davis, IndianaAuditions.com

Footlite Musicals, "Children Of Eden," is an emotional and lively piece that had the opening night audience on their feet with applause. Known for his musicals "Godspell" and "Wicked," Stephen Schwartz brings us his version of the story of Adam and Eve and Noah and the flood from the book of Genesis.

The first act deals with Father (John Phillips) creating the world and Adam (Phil Criswell) and Eve (Claire Wilcher) with it. Phillips gives a commanding performance as Father with a voice filled with authority and compassion for his creations. Criswell and Wilcher both have stunning voices and play well off each other in all their scenes together.

Wilcher makes Act One her own with the songs,"Spark of Creation" and "Children of Eden." Never have I seen a more perfect match between a musical actress and her character. She had the audience in tears as they went to intermission.

Act Two has Noah (Dustin Podgorski) dealing with a wayward son: Japheth (Phil Criswell) yearns to marry Yonah (Libby Byrum), a servant who bears the "mark of Cain." It is Father's will that all Cain's children shall be eradicated with the flood. Byrum has a crystal clear singing voice and does a beautiful job with her solo, "Stranger to the Rain." Once again, Claire Wilcher as Mama Noah had the audience tapping their toes with her southern spiritual wail in "Ain't It Good?"

The technical end of this production was every bit as stellar as the cast. Technical directors Tom and R. Brian Noffke created a very workable set for their actors. Huge trees and rock formations were flown in and out of this space seamlessly. The main rotating stage circle was so adaptable to every scene. Kudos to lighting designer Ryan Mullins underlining the action of the show but never upstaging it. The lighting during the Earth's creation showed several nice touches. The work that went into the costumes for this show was truely God-like. Stephen Hollenbeck and his army of assistants' work on both rented and created costumes deserves a round of applause.

Not to be left out of my praises are the talented singers and dancers who created the supporting characters and the animals. My favorites were the turtles! From the first moment of the show to the final bow, there is beauty all over this stage. Director Kathleen Clarke Horrigan along with Vocal Director John Phillips and Choreographer Christopher Noffke have created their own piece of paradise with this show.

Children of Eden has six more performances-September 28, 29, 30 and October 5, 6 and 7. Call Footlite at (317) 926-6630 to order your tickets today. Don't miss it!