Ithaca College Theatre: Children of Eden

ITHACA, NY — Ithaca College Theatre will present “Children of Eden,” with music and lyrics by award-winning composer and lyricist, Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell,” “Pippin”). Lee Byron, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts, will direct the production. Performances will be held in the Hoerner Theatre in Dillingham Center, premiering Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. and running at selected times through Nov. 14.“Children of Eden” is a secular retelling of the Bible’s Book of Genesis that uses a rich musical score to tell the iconic stories of Eve biting the apple and Noah building the ark. The show tells stories of family, focusing on questions, arguments, vows children make not to repeat the mistakes of their parents and the feelings they have when they realize they have done just that. The characters resemble next-door neighbors more than icons from the distant past as they struggle to raise their families, keep them together and teach them the difference between right and wrong. Ticket prices for “Children of Eden” range from $4.50 to $10 and can be purchased at Ticket Center Ithaca by calling (607) 273-4497 or online at www.ithacaevents.com. Group discounts are available. Performance times are as follows: 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 14 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 8.The musical direction of “Children of Eden” is by Brian DeMaris, assistant professor of music performance; the choreography is by Mary Corsaro, associate professor of theater arts. All designs for this production have been created by students majoring in theatrical production arts. The scenic design is by David Arsenault ’10, costume design is by Ainsley Anderson ’10, sound design is by Jordan Lytle ’10, and the lighting design is by Christine Goldman ’10.The cast features Eric Morris ’10 as Father, Michael Haller ’10 as Adam, Abbe Tanenbaum ’10 as Eve, Alex Rolecek ’10 as Cain, Lukas Hoback ’13 as Abel, Thaddeus McCants ’10 as Head Snake, Denzel Edmondson ’12 as Seth, Emma Poole ’11 as Seth’s Wife, Daniel Lindgren ’12 as Noah, Jessica Bennett ’11 as Mama Noah, Bruce Landry ’12 as Japheth, Lysie Shutrump ’10 as Yonah, Steven Moore ’11 as Ham and Snake, Megan Watt ’11 as Aysha and Snake, Ned Donovan ’12 as Shem, Jamie Amos ’11 as Aphra and Snake, and Lindsey Bullen ’11, Andrew Karl ’12, Mallory Newbrough ’12, Amber Wood ’11, Elizabeth Hake ’12, Hannah Dubner ’12, Amberlee Weber ’12 as Storytellers. The stage manager is Hannah Dorfman ’10, the assistant stage managers are Jessica Jardon ’12 and Benjamin Anderson ’12. The dramaturge is Jessica Askew ’11.A nationally recognized professional theater training program, the Department of Theatre Arts at Ithaca College attracts students from across the United States. Through IC Theatre and the production season, undergraduate students present all aspects of theater in a professional model. Ithaca College Theatre has been a cultural resource for Tompkins County and the region for more than 70 years.For more information, contact Juliet Greenblatt at (860) 944-0969 or [email protected]