By Sue Merrell
There's a certain calm, confidence of experience that comes with opening your 40th season. That confidence is apparent as Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland celebrated Father's Day weekend with the ultimate Father's story, "Children of Eden."
Now, you might think a play about the Garden of Eden and Noah's flood would be a safe, predictable choice for a theater company at a religious college, but this Stephen Schwartz/John Caird musical certainly isn't Sunday School. In much the same way that "Jesus Christ Superstar" depicts the vulnerability and humanness of Jesus, "Children of Eden" gives us a God who isn't thundering, all-powerful perfection. This creator, known simply as Father, is very human, full of excitement at creation, eager to share his universe with his children, and yet impatient with their questions and disappointed in their disobedience. But more than that, this Father makes mistakes too. He grows in his understanding of his children and becomes more comfortable with allowing them the freedom to head out on their own.
This recognizable family interaction gives the stories a warmth and humor that may not always be biblical, but is entertaining and enlightening.
Hope Rep favorite Chip DuFord doesn't get too many chances to exercise his knack for humor in the role of Father, but reigns dignified and flashy in his hot pink, three-piece suit with gold watch chain. Noah Putterman and Hayley Galbraith, who have appeared in previous Hope Repertory seasons, return as Adam and Eve in the first act and Noah and his wife in the second act. Putterman's extraordinary voice really raises the roof on "A World Without You," when Adam must choose whether to follow Eve or remain with Father in the garden.
Galbraith gets several opportunities to show off her playfulness and comic timing as Eve, the persistently questioning kid who longs to explore "beyond." Her voice and style really shine in the second act gospel song, "Ain't It Good."
John Gardner portrays Cain, Adam's first born son, who kills his brother Abel, though the motives in the play bear little resemblance to the Bible story. But there's a certain symmetry in this version because in Act II, Gardner portrays Noah's son Japheth who falls in love with Yonah (Sarah Charles), a woman descended from the ostracized family of Cain.
Their love duet, "In Whatever Time We Have," is one of the most memorable songs in the show.
Unlike the catchy score of Schwartz's earlier musical, "Godspell," this show features edgier, more dramatic music. Many of the songs in the first act have ominous, minor key harmonies, so even when the lyrics are interesting there isn't much of a tune to latch on to. But by the second act, the score takes on more of a world music feel, especially the African beat of "Generations."
Director David Colacci uses this opening production to show off his large ensemble of acting interns, who not only serve as singing storytellers but also become set pieces. Dressed in white at the beginning, ensemble members create the trees and animals of the garden, as well as the parade of animals into the ark, with nothing but the intertwining of their limbs. The elegant giraffes were wonderful, as were barking seals and hopping kangaroos. With the addition of lime green shirts, a train of eight ensemble members wrap themselves around Eve as the tempter snake for the jazzy number "In Pursuit of Excellence." But the most impressive ensemble creation is the dove which flies out of the ark to find an olive branch, lifted on the wings of ensemble members.
Micah J. Maatman's wide open set design allows for optimum flexibility with just a few gracefully curved "hills," a wood-toned circular stage floor that vaguely resembles a big sun flower and a star-like oval of lights hanging overhead. Costume designer Elizabeth Flauto has had some fun pulling in iconic designs from many eras, from appropriate middle eastern garb for the aging Eve to the more playful Morton Salt raincoats for the family on the Ark.
Friday's opening performance for about 400 had a few first night flubs with some sound mix and spotlight problems in the first act. But if you are open minded enough to imagine a more human heavenly Father in a hot pink suit, "Children of Eden" is an entertaining look at families not that different from your own.
REVIEW:
'Children of Eden'
Hope Summer Repertory Theatre at DeWitt Theatre, 141 E. 12th St., Holland. Plays in rotating repertory through Aug. 12. $8-$19. 616-395-7890. hope.edu.
