Monday Sept. 12 Rehearsal - MAIN STAGE

Hello cast and crew,

We have made it to the MAIN STAGE! Stating with Monday's rehearsal, we will be on the Main Stage of the theatre. Please use the Back Door where the ramp is on Buffalo St. the side alley door will be locked.

Monday night is a Music Rehearsal for all cast including animals from 7 to 9pm. Animals will also be reviewing their dance numbers.

Our costumer will also be fitting the Family of Adam for all fur outfits if the family of Adam can arrive between 6:45 and 7:00 to help that process out it would be great.

We will also start moving into the dressing room spaces, moving costumes, setting and sorting props, etc. We will be on the Main Stage from this point forward.

We are on track to be working on the set on Monday Sept. 19.

Tis week is a review and finish week of all musical numbers, choreography and stage blocking.

See you Monday.

Rehearsal Thursday Sept 8 and Updates

Thursday September 8, Blocking & Music Rehearsal, Little Theatre
7pm Music Review-All Cast including animals
At 8pm block pp57-71 (Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Young Cain, Young Abel) during music review. Block Yonah. Music review will continue during this.

Update on animal costuming. The costumes have NOT been ordered so all animal costuming is on hold until they come in. We are also waiting for Adam and Eve's vine outfits, the snake unitards, and the lead dancer scrubs.

Update on Tshirts. If you want a t-shirt, please bring your money to the Sept 8 rehearsal. They are 10.00 each.

Family of Noah - please bring in any "biblical" sandals into rehearsal for us to look at. We are also looking in the warehouse for the sandals from "Forum"

We move onto the Main Stage Monday night so we will be using the back door of the theater, on the ramp at Buffalo St starting Mon Sept 12. Rehearsals may start to go slightly longer as we put whole parts of the show together, but we will keep them as tig and close to the end time as possible.

Everything is coming together quite nicely

Schedule Updates

Hello all Cast and Crew....
I have gotten the schedule updated through Tech Week for the show and it is posted below and in the sidebar.    Where it says All Cast - that includes animals.   Animals are needed at any rehearsal where it does NOT say No Animals.

Thank you and have a safe, healthy and fun holiday weekend!
Your production team.

Schedule

Tuesday September 6, Music Rehearsal, Little Theatre
6:30pm-7pm "Noah's Lullabye" (**NOTE EARLIER TIME)
7pm-8pm "A Piece of Eight"
8pm-8:30pm "The Flood" Singers
8:30pm-9:00pm "Words of Doom"

Wednesday September 7, Dance Rehearsal, St. John's Church
7pm-Dance Leads: Oliva, Victor, Marc, Julia, Astrid, Athena, Shannon, Beth

7pm-Music Review All Leads and Storytellers

Thursday September 8, Blocking & Music Rehearsal, Little Theatre
7pm Music Review-All Cast including animals
At 8pm block pp57-71 (Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Young Cain, Young Abel) during music review.  Block Yonah.

Saturday September 10, Dance Rehearsal, Little Theatre10am-11:30am: All animals, including lead dancers.
11:30am-1:00pm: Aint It Good

1:00-2:30pm Snake Ensemble

Monday September 12, MAIN STAGE

Music Review - All Cast

 

Tuesday September 13, MAIN STAGEBlocking Review-All Cast

Wednesday September 14, MAIN STAGE7pm - Dance Review: All Cast (No animals)

Thursday September 15, MAIN STAGE7pm-All Cast: Review

Saturday September 17, MAIN STAGE10-11am Review Snakes
11am-Review all dance (ALL CAST)

Sunday September 18, MAIN STAGE7pm - Review Music/Blocking/Dance- All Cast

Monday September 19, MAIN STAGE
7pm-Run Act One-All Cast

Tuesday September 20, MAIN STAGE7pm-Run Act Two-All Cast

Wednesday September 21, MAIN STAGE7pm-Run Act Two-All Cast

Thursday September 22, MAIN STAGE7pm-Run Act One All Cast

Sunday September 25, MAIN STAGETBA-Orchestra Rehearsal
6pm-Tech Rehearsal-All Cast!
Mon-Thursday Tech Schedule-ALL CAST
6:30pm-Call at Theatre each night

Show Dates September 30, October 1 & 6-8 at 7:30pm, October 2 at 2pm.

Rehearsal Tuesday August 23

Great rehearsal tonight everyone. The show is sounding so amazing so far and we are so happy and thrilled. You all have an amazing show in the works.

Tuesday rehearsal August 23 is a Music Rehearsal
All Cast (including animal chorus) at 7pm

Note: The Animal Chorus will also be a part of singing Let There Be, Children of Eden, and In The Beginning. On Tuesday, we will start with In The Beginning and release the Anmal Chorus hopefully around 8pm. We are also going to start to take costume measurements for the animal chorus as well.

For Storytellers: check the link to the right under Show Links for the storyteller breakdown by song.

Great job everyone.

Welcome to Children of Eden - First Dance Rehearsal and more...

Welcome, welcome, welcome to Children of Eden cast!   What an outstanding group!

First things first - DANCE REHEARSAL!  Saturday Aug. 13 10am-1pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Franklin.  This is the stone church behind the theatre on the corner of 12th and Buffalo St.   They are kindly letting us use their space for rehearsal.   Use the 12th Street Door!
10am-12noon: The Naming - All Animals(Children's Chorus)
12noon - 1pm: The Return of the Animals - All Animals (Children's Chorus).
If you had a conflict on your audition sheet, thank you for letting us know.

Second, Cast Meeting is Sunday Aug. 14th at 7pm in the Little Theatre at the Barrow.  We will be handing out scripts (please bring a $20.00 deposit for the script), going over the cast packet including director visions, rehearsal schedule, and more!!!

Third - we have had some cast changes since announcing the cast!  I have update the cast announcement in the previous blog posting but Connor McCanlus (Adam) and Mike Leisher will not be able to do the show.  We will miss them but their reasons are good and we all need to know that.

In the meantime, I have recast Jacob Krupitzer as Adam, and recast Zak Klassen as Abel.   We will be looking for as Shem.

See everyone soon - and thank you for being part of a fantastic production of Children of Eden.

Children of Eden Show Synopsis

We are presenting the synopsis of the show to help people begin to get familiar with the story.   The synopsis is pulled from the wikipedia website.  Similar synopses can be found on the MTI website and the Stephen Schwartz website (links in the sidebar).

ACT ONE.

The play opens with the creation story from the Book of Genesis ("Let There Be"). Eve is drawn to the tree of knowledge, even though Father (the God-character is always addressed as "Father" by the other characters) has warned her to stay away ("The Tree of Knowledge"). Father attempts to distract Adam and Eve by playing a game where Adam and Eve name all the animals ("The Naming"). With his children distracted for the time being, everything is right with the newly-created world ("Grateful Children," "Father's Day," and "Perfect"). Eve, however, still hungers for something more than what she has ("The Spark of Creation"). She meets a snake that tempts her with the fruit from the forbidden tree ("In Pursuit of Excellence"). Eve eats the fruit, meaning that she must be banished from the Garden of Eden ("The End of a Perfect Day" and "Childhood's End").

In a twist from the Genesis tale, Adam is portrayed as torn between two choices: either he can stay with Father in Eden, or he can eat the fruit and be banished with Eve. He chooses to stay with Eve, even though it means leaving the garden forever ("A World Without You"). Adam and Eve are driven out into the surrounding wilderness and have two children, Cain and Abel ("The Expulsion" and "The Wasteland"). Eve realizes that the same fire that led to her eating the fruit is present in her son, Cain ("The Spark of Creation (Reprise 1)"). Cain tells Abel of the problems that Adam and Eve made for them by leaving the garden and says that he intends to find the lost garden ("Lost in the Wilderness").

Adam and Eve find some pleasure in the fact that they have been able to create a life for themselves outside of Eden ("Close to Home"), but this peacefulness is again shattered when Cain says that he has found a ring of stones, proof that they are not the only humans alive; Adam admits that he had seen the ring of stones and the people who live there before but that he had never mentioned it because he was afraid of the potential consequences ("A Ring of Stones" and "Clash of the Generations"). This leads to a fight between Adam and Cain, but when Abel intervenes, he is killed, as Cain attempts to kill Adam but hits Abel instead ("The Death of Abel"). Father decrees that Cain's descendants will always bear a mark for the sin of their ancestor ("The Mark of Cain").

Act I closes with Eve about to die. She delivers a monologue about Cain's departure from the family and the birth of another son, Seth, who has since had children of his own. She then prays that her children and her grandchildren will regain the garden that was lost ("Children of Eden").

ACT TWO

The act opens with "Generations," a list of the many descendants of Cain and Seth, all the way down to Noah and his family, whose story comprises the second act’s plot. Father tells Noah that a storm is coming, so Noah must build a boat ("The Gathering Storm").

Noah has three sons, and two of them, (Shem and Ham), have wives, but his youngest son, Japheth, is unhappy with the wives Noah has tried to obtain for him. Instead, he wishes to marry the servant-girl, Yonah, a descendant of the race of Cain, and Japheth tells this to his surprised family ("A Piece of Eight"); however, Noah will not allow Yonah on the ark. All the animals return so that they can board the ark ("The Return of the Animals" and "Noah's Lullaby"). Japheth comes to say goodbye to Yonah. She sings "Stranger to the Rain," in which she says that she has always faced the problem of being shunned because she bears the mark of Cain. Japheth decides to sneak Yonah onto the ark. Japheth and Yonah sing "In Whatever Time We Have," which tells of their love for each other.

The rain comes, and it keeps raining and raining ("The Flood" and "What is He Waiting For?"). Yonah releases a dove to find dry land ("Sailor of the Skies"). The rest of the family discovers Yonah, and Shem and Ham wish to throw her overboard, but Japheth intervenes. It escalates into a fight, and it is only because Yonah intervenes that one of the brothers is not killed. Noah is unsure as to what he must do. His wife asks him if Father speaks to him anymore, and when Noah answers "No," she tells him, "You must be the father now." Noah has to decide what should be done without God telling him what to do ("The Spark of Creation (Reprise 2)"). 

Noah sings of the difficulties that he has faced in being a father, while at the same time Father sings of the problems he has faced in being a father ("The Hardest Part of Love"). Noah calls the family together ("Words of Doom"). He decides to give Japheth and Yonah his blessing ("The Hour of Darkness"). Then the dove returns and the family again sees the light of the stars. Mama leads the family in the gospel song ("Ain't It Good?"). Father gives humanity the power to control its fate ("Precious Children"). The family sings of the problems they will face and their desire to return someday to the Garden of Eden ("In the Beginning").

My Director letter to the FCOA Board

Why Children of Eden?   Why did I want to direct it?  What do you say to people who tell you "it's not well known enough"?

Below is my letter to the Programming Committee and FCOA Board when I submitted my request to be picked as the Director of Children of Eden.   I am sharing it so you know the depth of passion and knowledge I have for this production; both of which I believe will pour into the show itself.  I also believe you shouldn't be directing a show if you don't have passion for the material.  

I hope you read and find yourself inspired to return to or to join us for the first time on the Barrow-Civic Theatre Stage.  

Ted
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October 29, 2010

Please accept this letter as my desire to direct the musical Children of Eden for the Barrow-Civic Theatre for Applefest 2011.  

It is with great privilege that I put in to direct Children of Eden.  I am excited that it will be presented at the Barrow-Civic Theatre and I believe my previous production experience with musicals supports my passion to direct this show.   I feel that I bring a well-organized approach to directing, along with a critical eye to production quality, experience building and motivating a cast, and putting together a top-notch crew.   In directing previous musicals, I have found attention to detail as well as a unique and creative approach is desirable for a high-quality production; in addition, keeping an eye on budgetary concerns is key as well.

In previous productions I have directed, I have been fortunate enough to bring forth some new and interesting design elements to the Barrow stage, including stage extensions, running fountains & pools on stage, and expanding the visual and spatial impact of the show beyond the “fourth wall” and straight to the audience. It has been my honor to work with the acting community on Sweet Charity, Wizard of Oz, Kiss Me, Kate!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 2 by 5, as well as representing the theatre in directing the 50^th Anniversary Gala and currently directing the BCT premiere of White Christmas.

Children of Eden, to quote the MTI website, is “is a frank, heartfelt and often humorous examination of the age-old conflict between parents and children.”   I cannot think of any better theme to address in our society today than that of family relationships.   In fact, I believe that as a theatre community, we are a family and the family for many of our actors, crew, and other volunteers.   The theatre arts inspire us to be communicators, to be supportive, to discover who it we are inside while interacting with those we live with.    From the opening number “Let There Be” where the show and the earth is created before our eyes, Children of Eden examines the emotions and decisions individuals and families make that shape their futures.   Stephen Schwartz has taken a biblical medium and adapted it to appeal to many different audiences, without losing the core meanings and story.   I doubt that anyone could walk away from seeing this show without being touched by the intrinsic story of love, respect, and the choices of life we all must face.

It is not unknown to the theatre that I have been a strong advocate for the Barrow-Civic Theatre to produce Children of Eden.  I have based that passionate support on the subject matter of the show, the opportunities for flexible staging, and the potential wide-spread range of roles, both lead and ensemble, for many in our community.   Having a solid and strong record of success with directing and show production behind me, I strongly feel in my soul that I would be able to bring Children of Eden to the stage in an inspiring and dynamic experience for all involved.   I have always felt a director should be knowledgeable of the show they wish to undertake-not just of the script as written but of the nuances of the writing and music.   I believe I fit that bill.

Children of Eden is, like many musicals, a detailed and ambitious undertaking; many view its chief weakness as being an “unknown” show, little known amongst our patrons and without the “draw” of the better known undertakings.   I embrace the challenge of making this the strength of the show.  I have the privilege of performing in a production of Children of Eden before and thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself immersed in the production.   I can honestly say the script and music are one of the most inspiring for a show that I have been involved with.  Stephen Schwartz, who also is the writer of Wicked, is an accomplished playwright and composer and I find his materials for Children of Eden both relatable and manageable for community theatre.

Children of Eden is played in two acts, with a minimum cast of 11-20 people; however the show is extremely flexible and can accommodate a much larger ensemble cast.   The show is set in multiple settings but lends itself ideally (in my vision) to a single unit set, the concept of which I have had previous success in utilizing onstage at the Barrow-Civic Theatre.   My initial thoughts on stage setting include a “floating” disc supporting the production, along with use of minimal sets, along with scrims and an onstage orchestra.  In addition, there is the opportunity for fluidity in set design to enhance the movement between scenes and utilize the fly system to its fullest capability.   I believe that the show can be designed within a traditional BCT show budget and done in at a level of quality and technique the theatre requires.  I also firmly stand behind my directors notes from the program for Wizard of Oz, in which I said “I believe that community theatre can do professional theatre.”  That single sentence is the driving force behind every moment I spend both on and off stage.

I have designed several shows keeping in mind not only visual impact for our audience, but also balancing the “picture” with the cast of characters on stage, so that they are not overshadowed.   I have always sought ways to utilize sets to their fullest capability without over-complicating the work of the stage crew, while incorporating unique elements and staging in the production.  In two productions, I have been able to utilize materials already owned in stock, thereby not spending a set budget and being able to utilize those monies for specialty drops or rental sound equipment) and staying within budget.

As with any of the shows I have previously directed, I would anticipate beginning production work on the show early in the spring, forming a production crew as soon as I can, and establishing a blog for the show (which I began with Wizard of Oz and have continued with great success with subsequent shows). My goal would be to have set designs completed by late spring and actually begin constructing the set in the warehouse (around other productions), to maximize time and space once the stage is free for the production to move into the theatre. 

I also strongly expect to be able to attract a first-class production crew, as I have done for previous productions I have helmed and directed.  It would also be my goal to continue offering opportunities for technical experience to both newcomers and regional college students studying the theatre arts.   The inclusion of these individuals, who wish to learn new skills, to be mentored in a first-class facility, and to put their classroom knowledge to actual use has been very successful in previous productions I have directed and I would continue to seek out those opportunities.

As it is truly a privilege and honor to direct in a facility like the Barrow, I am confident that if I were chosen as director for Children of Eden, the Barrow-Civic Theatre would be pleased with the resulting production quality and impression on our patrons and community.

Thank you very much,

Ted Smith