BU Theatre Presents Children of Eden

Photographs by Rampage student photographer Natalie Burgess.

Bluefield University Theatre presented the musical Children of Eden, February 23-26 in Harman Chapel.

Children of Eden was first written in 1991 and features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a script by playwright/director John Caird. Inspired by the book of Genesis, the first act deals with the creation of Adam and Eve, as well as their fall and subsequent expulsion from Eden, along with the story of Cain and Abel. Act II shares the story of Noah and the flood.

The BU cast for Children of Eden included professor Charles M. Reese in the role of Father. Theatre graduate Brian Fisher played the roles of Adam and Noah, while current theatre student Laura Horton played the roles of Eve and Mama Noah. Other cast members included local high school student Xander Alvarez as Cain and Japheth; local high school student Noah Munique as Abel and Ham; Cannon Smith as Young Cain; Levi Mullins as Young Abel; BU senior Ana Nunes Barros as Yonah (the fictional wife of Japheth); Ian Matullo as Seth and Shem; and Abbie Bradley and Abigail McComas as Aysha and Aphra (wives of Shem and Ham). The serpent in the garden of Eden was a 20-foot puppet voiced by five puppeteers/actors: Noah Jennings, Alysia Townsley, General Smith, Claire Fisher, and Abigail McComas.

Christina Robinson was one of the many BU Theatre students who served behind the scenes on the production team. She spoke about the efforts that went into making the play a success.

“For this show to be successful, personally it was commitment,” Robinson said. “Without that we wouldn’t have had a show.”

Olivia Campbell and Elizabeth Roberts were among the many BU students who watched the play. They both said they enjoyed it.

“I how the actors made sure to emphasize such a powerful play and get the word of God across to us,” Roberts said. “I believe everyone sitting in there all were astounded by how well the story of the Garden of Eden was told through the acting. I loved how even Charles Reese got involved.”