More than 35 people are cast in the production, which will be staged Jan. 25-28.
Years ago, Kathleen Foulkrod’s children were part of a production of “Children of Eden,” directed by John Bacarella and performed at River Raisin Centre for the Arts.
“I fell in love both with the story and the score,” she said. As a result, she was pleased to get the opportunity to direct a production of the show at Spotlight Studio in downtown Monroe.
“Children of Eden” is a musical by Stephen Schwartz. It often has a large cast and “usually done on a very grand scale,” Foulkrod said.
The plot is based on the stories told in the Book of Genesis, with the Creator referred to as Father. That name is a key to understanding the story, she said, as family relationships are central to the show.
“This is a story about parents and children and relationships. It’s about free will. It’s about forgiveness. It’s about acceptance,” she added.
Her favorite moments include a duet between Noah and Father in “The Hardest Part of Love.”
The show was an off-Broadway production but a cast album was made.
With the help of that recording, Foulkrod said, the family-friendly production has become a favorite of school and community groups.
There are more than 35 actors in Spotlight Studio’s production, ranging in age from 5 through adult and coming from Monroe County, Toledo and the Downriver communities.
Many of them have been in productions before, Foulkrod said.
Given the fact that Spotight Studio is a small venue, she had to be resourceful to work within the space.
The set includes a stage extension so that the audience has the intimate feel of theater in the round.
The backdrop is a large book.
“We are writing the story,” she explained about the set design.
With that arrangement, the studio has seating for 100 in the audience.
To help illustrate the concept of telling the story, she chose white as the dominant color in the costuming. The storytellers will be on stage nearly the entire time and the production includes a live orchestra.
“I love directing and watching my visions for a show come to life, but I also enjoy seeing the story come alive and become personal for each of the actors,” Foulkrod said.
“I am thankful to (studio owner) Daveaux Riggs and Spotlight Studio for giving me the opportunity.”
Spotlight Studio’s next production will be Aladdin Jr. This show casts youth ages 7-18. Auditions will be Jan. 29 and 30 and the show dates are March 9-11.
Cast:
■ Father: Jacob Richcreek
■ Adam: Spencer McQuestion
■ Eve: Liane GoLightly
■ Young Cain: Mia Kuzala
■ Young Abel: Noah Iott
■ Cain/Japheth: Tristan Daniels
■ Abel: Andrew Fogle
■ Snake: Olivia Bacarella, Madie Mayes, Harmony Taylor, Morgan Cronenwett
■ Noah: Sammy Gonzalez
■ Mama Noah: Sara Humphries.
■ Shem: Jonathan Mohn
■ Asia: Sheylan Garrity
■ Ham: Caleb Turner
■ Aphra: Harmony Taylor
■ Yonah: Andrea Vanderhorst
■ Storytellers: Billie Riggs, Keagan Pilgrim, Monica Gonzalez, Liam Bressler, Mario Tucker, Hannah Demski, Kylie Jennings, Cassandra Perry, Jordan Jewell, Chelsea Whiteoak
■ Ensemble: Jackson Vanderhorst, Megan LaRoy, Lily Self, Hazel Self, Lillie Knick, Cooper Stewart, Sheridan Capser, Jessica Foulkrod, Jakobe Sandoval
■ Director: Kathleen Foulkrod
■ Music director: Rob Foulkrod
■ Choreographer: Val Jonas
■ Stage manager: Ann Iott
■ Producer: Daveaux Riggs