For one night only on February 18, 2024, Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP) will present the next installment of its Broadway Series: The beloved musical Children of Eden. Broadway veterans Tony Yazbeck (stage director) and Kimberly Grigsby (music director) will lead the chorus of over 350 singers from across the United States, a star-studded cast and creative team, and the acclaimed New York City Chamber Orchestra at Lincoln Center’s newly renovated David Geffen Hall.
And check out this cast!
Auli’i Cravalho Yonah
Nikki Renée Daniels Eve/Mama Noah
Norm Lewis Father
Lucas Pastrana Abel/Ham
David Phelps Adam/Noah
Donald Webber Jr Cain/Japheth
Jennifer McGill Quartet
Jesse Nager Quartet
Marcus Paul James Quartet
Rema Webb Quartet
Runako Campbell Dance Ensemble
Dylis Croman Dance Ensemble
Karli Dinardo Dance Ensemble
Tyler Hanes Dance Ensemble
Jakob Karr Dance Ensemble
Zelig Williams Dance Ensemble
You would think that if Stephen Schwartz — composer and lyricist of Pippin and Wicked — wrote a musical with John Caird — adapter of Les Misérables and Candide — we would have seen a production of it … or at least heard of it. But shows that haven’t played Broadway rarely make it into the public consciousness. Caird’s book of Children of Eden retells the first nine chapters of the Book of Genesis, specifically the tales of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve & Cain and Abel in the wilderness (Act I), and Noah and the Ark (Act II); the story of creation opens the show.
It played 103 performances in London, 1991, was retooled by the authors, and later staged at the Paper Mill Playhouse for six weeks in 1997 (both productions were recorded). The story is told by both chorus and soloists; Schwartz’s tunes are always pleasant, a fun hodgepodge from jaunty jazz to soaring ballads with elements of pop/rock, gospel, and African and Caribbean rhythms. Compared to his New Testament musicalizations, it ain’t as infectious as Godspell but it’s far more accessible than Mass (written with Leonard Bernstein).
Examining themes of family, love and loss, its simply too intractable to produce for the Great White Way (maybe John Doyle will have a go at it some day). Thus, it has often played at high schools and churches (while it may not be well-known, Children of Eden is surprisingly one of the most frequently licensed properties by Music Theater International). If you’re lucky enough to be in the New York area, you can catch MCP’s behemoth version. It will lift your spirits and break your heart at once. MCP’s Broadway Series is in its 12th year of providing an unparalleled collaboration of top-level industry professionals and outstanding amateur choristers in a full-concert performance at a legendary venue.
Children of Eden
Manhattan Concert Productions
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, Columbus Avenue at 65th Street
February 18, 2024 at 8
for tickets, call 212.721.6500 or visit Lincoln Center
for more info, visit MCP
CREATIVE TEAM
Tony Yazbeck, Director & Choreographer
Kimberly Grigsby, Music Director & Conductor
Nate Bertone, Scenic Designer
Carolyn Wong, Lighting Designer
Andrew Keister, Sound Designer
Ryan Park, Costume Designer
Chip Abbott, Associate Director
Madison Hicks, Associate Choreographer
Joseph DeLuise, Production Manager
TELSEY + COMPANY: Craig Burns, CSA, Casting
Children of Eden will join MCP’s previous Broadway Series concert performances which include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2020), The Scarlet Pimpernel (2019), Broadway Classics in Concert (2018), Crazy for You (2017), The Secret Garden (2016), Parade (2015), Titanic (2014), Broadway Classics in Concert (2013) and Ragtime (2013).
Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP) is an esteemed production company in its 24th season of concerts. MCP has provided performance, travel, and educational opportunities to thousands of musicians in choirs, bands, and orchestras at famous venues throughout the United States and many countries abroad. The guest musicians of the Children of Eden chorus will spend five days in New York City rehearsing and performing with the professional cast and crew as part of Manhattan Concert Productions’ continuing mission of amateur and professional collaboration.