Theatre program’s latest musical production is ‘Children of Eden’ by Stephen Schwartz

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance is proud to announce that the theatre program’s spring 2023 production will be the Broadway musical “Children of Eden.” The production will run on Thursday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, April 1, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Casino Theater.

All members of Salve Regina’s community, as well as the general public, are invited to attend. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for Salve Regina faculty, staff and seniors; $5 for children 12 and under; and free for Salve Regina students with an ID. To buy tickets, go here.

“Children of Eden” uses Biblical stories found in Genesis to think through themes of family conflict, identity and acceptance. The tales of Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel are featured in Act I, while Noah and the Ark are featured in Act II.

Schwart’z favorite musical

“Children of Eden” was composed by Stephen Schwartz, a popular musical theatre lyricist and composer who has written well-known musicals like “Godspell,” “Pippin” and “Wicked.”

While “Children of Eden” is not Schwartz’s most well-known work, it is one of his personal favorites, according to Dr. Tara Brooke Watkins, director of the theatre program.

“This show has his favorite song that he’s ever written in it, which is called ‘Stranger to the Rain,’” said Dr. Watkins. “And it also features the one song he would want to live on for eternity, which is ‘In the Beginning.’”

Dr. Tara Brooke Watkins

The show tends to be a big hit with theatre companies across the country due to its capacity to showcase a large ensemble, its non-dogmatic take on religious stories, and its transcendent themes on family — and this is one of the many reasons Watkins thought the show would be perfect for Salve Regina’s theatre students.

“If we’re going to continue to have big musicals, what show can I choose that really shows off all of our students?” said Dr. Watkins. “We have such an incredible group of talent here at Salve.”

There are 30 students in the cast, so the ensemble is indeed large. One of those cast members is Madisen Cardona ’23, a psychology major with a minor in theatre. Cardona plays Mama Noah, Noah’s wife and a source of feminine strength throughout the musical.

“I think she is kind of like Mother Nature-esque,” said Cardona of the character. “She’s always making sure everyone is feeling loved.”

Cardona said that she had never heard of “Children of Eden” before this production, but now she listens to the soundtrack nonstop. The challenge for many of the performers in this musical is how demanding the singing is, according to Cardona. It’s very choral-heavy, and this has really stretched the actors in exciting new ways.

“’Ain’t It Good’ is my favorite song in the show,” said Cardona. “It’s about the rain being over, and we’re finally done on the waters. It’s a triumphant song, and I love it.”

Madisen Cardona ’23 rehearses “Ain’t It Good,” her favorite song in the production.  

Puppets, masks will take center stage

One of the exciting elements in the show is the handmade papier-mâché puppets and masks that will appear in Act II for the story of Noah and the Ark. The prototypes of the puppets were made by a stagecraft class in fall 2022 semester, with expansions made on the designs during this spring 2023 semester. There will be lions, dolphins and mice  — among other surprises.

“This was pre-Lion King,” said Dr. Watkins. “What the musical ‘The Lion King’ did — yes, it’s a different style of puppet, but they are pulling from what ‘Children of Eden’ originally did.”

Overall, the cast and crew of “Children of Eden” hopes that audience members walk away from the show inspired by the themes of family and identity that run throughout the musical, as well as the craftsmanship of the puppets and masks that make the production even more unique. It’s a family-friendly musical that will leave people inspired to love and accept others more deeply.

“It gives people new perspectives,” said Cardona. “I think a lot of the story can be applied to our modern life and people’s own personal lives. They can take a lot away and feel seen, and that’s a really important part of the show.”

To buy tickets for the different showtimes, go here.