Weathervane Playhouse

June 1 - 10, 2017

Directed by:  DJ Salisbury

Scenic Designer:  Kat Conley

Costume Designer:  Renee Bell

Lighting Designer:  Seth Morrison

 

 

Children of Eden is a lesser-known musical.  The story is very familiar, telling the biblical story of the creation, of Adam and Eve and their children.  Act 2 tells the story of Noah and his family.  Both stories are watched over by Father, who interacts only when necessary.  The huge ensemble are all storytellers, reinforcing the action, playing animals, people, and the serpent.

 

My research for this show was framed around the director’s desire to create a production that was very theatrical.  The scenic concept allowed for many levels, but also provided seating for some audience members on the stage.  Animals in both acts would be represented by glowing balls, small bits of costume, or translucent shadow puppets.

 

Ambient reinforcement was one of my focuses.  The arrival of the animals in multiple layers helped expand the joy in ‘The Naming’, while simultaneously expressing the awe and surprise of the animals arriving to board the ark.  The ever-present storm of the great flood in act 2 was powerful and oppressive, which would enhance the relief when the storm fades and the waters receded. 

 

The director wanted some projected content to reinforce particular moments of action.  Given what we had to work with, we decided that the rotatable raised platform in the center would be our projection surface.  At the start of the piece we would see the swirling void before Father calls for light.  The creation of the whales and snails would have their appearance to the wonder of the younger storytellers.  The torrential storm would be represented here just as the lights came up for this scene.