Hershey Area Playhouse Presents CHILDREN OF EDEN

Go back thousands of years for a unique and personal look at the first book of the Bible as Hershey Area Playhouse presents its summer musical, Children of Eden.

by John Caird with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz ("Pippin," "Godspell," and "Wicked"), Children of Eden is a soaring, two-act musical that features the Bible stories of Genesis, including the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, and Noah and the Great Flood.

"I am incredibly excited to be directing this musical," said Children of Eden director Jennifer Feldser. "This enthusiastic cast is working very hard to learn a show that is practically all music. As gorgeous as it is, you'll be impressed they learned it all in six weeks. The principal characters bring out extra dimensions to familiar biblical characters. The storyteller ensemble goes from chorus to animals to representing the Ark, and much more. The costume crew you will see has outdone themselves, and the tech crew is doing things with the Playhouse space we have not done before. You don't want to miss out!"

Bringing this musical to life, Children of Eden cast members include: Adam Estep as Father; Miguel Gonzales as Adam (select performances) and Noah; Anthony Barber as Adam (select performances) and Japeth; Natalie DeSantis as Eve; Travis Zimmerman as Cain; Anton Aluquin as Abel and Ham; John Mallonee as Shem and Seth; Shelby Snyder as Mama Noah; Rebecca Schlegel as Yonah; Olivia Brown as Aphra; Olivia Ramsey as Aysha; and Wendy Lubell as Seth's wife.

Additional cast members include: Ethan Cooper as Young Cain; Levi Snyder as Young Abel; Claire Leedy, Ana Santiago, Elaine Blacker, Olivia Ramsey, Olivia Brown, Elizabeth Zachary and Lindsay Aluquin as the Snake; and Averie Snader, Bridget Still, Deborah Santiago, Emma Leedy, Grace Miller, Grace Signor, Janzel San Juan, Blaire Dellasega, Julia D'Orazio, Kacy Hartmann, Kyla Blazer, Sage Snyder and Valerie Schrader as the Storytellers.

In addition to Feldser, production staff members for Children of Eden include: Kristin Einsel, producer and stage manager; Kara Hess, vocal director; Lindy Mack, pit director; Dena McKell, choreographer; Ronald Ziomek, lighting and sound designer; Robyn Swayne, sound technician; Brock Viering, Sue Akinson and Erin Barlow, costumes; and Carlton Hoke and Jeff Miller, set construction.

Experience the legendary characters and beautiful storytelling of Children of Eden, running July 20-23 and July 27-30, 2017. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets for Children of Eden are $23 for teens/adults and $20 for kids ages 12 and under. Tickets are available by visiting www.HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com or by calling the Playhouse's box office at 717-533-8525.

PHOTO: Janzel San Juan and Sage Snyder practice their fierceness (or cuteness) as lions during Act I in "The Naming." Photo by Kristin Einsel