As previously reported, Schwartz granted permission to college sophomore Lindsay Maron to adapt this production for a cast of young performers.
After attending a performance in New Jersey, Schwartz said, "I think the talented young director, Lindsay Maron, who put this junior version of Children of Eden together, has done us a big favor. I feel she has essentially solved how to do it, and from what I have heard, the representatives from MTI who saw it share my enthusiasm. I think it will provide an excellent basis from which we can finalize the junior version and make it available to other theaters and groups who wish to produce it."
Drew Cohen, the president of licensing company Music Theatre International, added, "We agree with Stephen's assessment and share his enthusiasm for an abridged version of Children of Eden for young performers. Ms. Maron's production was a step toward defining the 'what' of the material, and we look forward to moving its development forward."
Maron directed and choreographed the production, which featured music direction by Alex Ratner.
Though Maron was not an official creative on a definitive version in Music Theatre International's Junior catalogue, MTI remained involved. Maron sent changes along to MTI, which were then forwarded to Schwartz for approval. The cast included Michael Ferlita as Father, Steven LaMaita as Adam/Noah, Melody Atkinson as Eve/Mama, Dylan Randazzo as Cain/Japeth, Gianna Porfano as Yonah, Anthony DeStefanis as Abel/Ham, Elisabeth Lynn as Aphra, Jack Nissen as Seth/Shem, Emma Price as Aysha, Soren Schwener as Young Cain and Ryan Hatzlhoffer as Young Abel.
The Snake was played by Karenna Breslow, Arielle Handler, Grace Petersen, Anna Pettigrew and Darby Ryden.
Soloists included Lindsey Cornelison, Veronica Gonzalez, Zoe Latanision, Grace Petersen, Anna Pettigrew, Emma Price, Darby Ryden and Aviva Winick. Storytellers are Julia Bavoso, Elizabeth Bigham, Katherine Ertman, Jhailyn Farcon, Jack Gullo, Abby Jeffries, Anna Jeffries, Dexter Kennedy, Madison Lagares, Will Nissen, Kate Petrella, Taryn Ryden, Priya Roychowdhury, Ariela Rozentul, Jessica Santa, Maya Slaughter and Chloe Warlick.
Children of Eden tells the story of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel in Act I and the story of Noah and the Flood in Act II.
Click here to learn more about how the musical was adapted.
For more information, visit PixieDustPlayers.org.
Watch highlights from the show!
