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BUY THE CD
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“There is no journey gone so far; so far we cannot stop and change direction. No doom is written in the stars...it’s in our hands.”
It’s interesting how so many great Broadway musicals have Biblical roots. Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are probably the most popular Bible-themed shows, but my personal favorite is a slightly less well-known musical by composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz called Children of Eden.
Children of Eden chronicles a big chunk of the book of Genesis. It starts with God (who is only called “Father” in this show) creating the heavens and the earth. Act I chronicles the story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, their original sin and expulsion from paradise, and the story of Cain and Abel. Act II is the story of Noah and the great flood.
What makes this show so great is that the focus is not so much on historical or Biblical accuracy but on the relationships between parents and their children. The story of the Garden of Eden is told with an emphasis on the relationship between “Father” and his two children, Adam and Eve. Likewise, even though we already know their story comes to a bad end, the characters of Cain and Abel are still fleshed out, and we’re able to get a good look at their family dynamic. The show revolves around themes that we’re all familiar with: questioning authority, rebellion, making difficult choices, dealing with the repercussions of our actions, learning (as a parent) to let your children grow up, and forgiveness.
Stephen Schwartz has written the music for many Broadway shows and animated films, including Wicked, Pippin, Pocahontas, and The Prince of Egypt. Out of all of his work, Children of Eden is probably the most universally loved. The story is beautifully told, and everyone can relate to it in some way. Plus, the music is absolutely gorgeous, and the song styles are so varied that there’s something in it for everyone. Big orchestrations and big choral numbers are among the composer’s strongest capabilities, and there are plenty of both in this show.
Children of Eden never ran on Broadway, but there was a recording made in 1998 by the cast of New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse production that I highly recommend. If you want the full experience, then you should spring for the complete version, which includes incidentals and mini-numbers by the show’s Storytellers. But if you’d rather just have the overview of the show, then the highlights recording is more than sufficient.
As a side note, even though Children of Eden never had a Broadway run, it’s one of the most popular shows among regional, high school, and community theaters. If it’s ever playing near you, it’s definitely worth checking out.
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