Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
"Children of Eden" is spine-tingling in that wonderful kind of way, like when an old treasure is found, or the first notes of a favorite song are heard.
The feeling never stops. It starts with Stephen Schwart's first refrain and follows like a tangible thing during the drive home.
The Wagon Wheel presents the 300th production of "Children of Eden," a musical still fairly new to audiences.
Director Roy Hine introduced the show on opening night and called it beautiful.
It is.
In the first act a white-clad, masked, heavenly host infuses the air with melody.
The songs linger after the final curtain from the rich, classical "Let There Be" to the fast beat of "Generations" and joyful blues of "Ain't It Good." There's a song here for everyone sung by a circle of angels that supports the characters through creation, temptation, devastation and forgiveness.
Listen for the dulcet soprano of Malina Linkas, who played Maria in "West Side Story," among the choir.
Mickey Fisher gives us a commanding Father, the kind of father who knows best, who designed a blueprint and expects his children to adhere to it.
Fisher takes center stage whether he's actually in the middle of the action or is spotlighted at the top of a ramp.
Rod Thomas is the innocent Adam in the first act and the second act's proud Noah.
The tall, dark Thomas weaves the familiar stories together as the first man and his descendant. His Adam is playful and obedient, delighted to be given something to do - all that animal naming.
As Noah he reappears as a mature patriarch who dares to question the voice that commands him.
Janna Cardia is the curious Eve and Mama Noah. Her still-in-Eden Eve is fast-talking, ever searching. She matures before our eyes as the cast-out mother of Cain and Abel and great-great-grandmother to the children of Seth.
The villain of the story, the snake, is cunningly portrayed by not one but five actors outfitted in emerald green - Matthew Centner, Richard Manera, Jennifer Dow, Robin Wilner and Patti Walker - who writhe around Eve with their tempting questions. They fuse into a coil of confusing sensuality, at once repulsive and alluring. It's no wonder Eve bites the forbidden.
Mark Ledbetter is Cain and Japheth, the disobedient boys.
Kate Shindle is the Canaanite servant Yonah.
Schope Van Ert and Geoff Haase are sweet as the young Cain and Abel.
In all, 17 children appear in the cast of "Children of Eden." Each time they appear the musical becomes richer.
They are: Jamie Abbott, Laura Balke, Cameron Basden, Geoff Haase, Alesia Lawson, Keaton Petro, Skye Scott, Schope Van Ert and Emily Wenrich.
Also Lindsay Clark, Lauren Cooper, Andrew Guasch, Rachel Hershberger, David Lawson, Amy Saner, Phillip Swarts and Marie Weller.
Costumer Martin Chapman-Bowman received applause for the delightful animal costumes during the ark scene.
The company received a standing ovation, with the audience brought to its feet by that tingling sensation.
