Family fun: 'Children of Eden' returns to Red Barn Theatre

Louise Carroll
·2 min read

FRANKLIN TWP. ― "Children of Eden" opens at the Red Barn Theatre on Friday. The epic musical is based on the story from Genesis about Adam and Eve and Noah and the Father who created them. It is the age-old story of the pleasures and pains of parenting and ultimately conveys a bittersweet. but inspiring message that "the hardest part of love is letting go."

It is director Jessica Patterson's favorite show and she has waited for three years for the opportunity to bring it to the stage.

Because it is all about family the Red Barn is the perfect venue where families work together to bring the best possible show.

The cast of the Red Barn Players "Children of Eden."
The cast of the Red Barn Players "Children of Eden."

Producer Toni Schlemmer said the whole cast works on the set and it is gorgeous and "quite lovely."

Patterson's mother, Kathy, is an artist who is adding her creativity to the project and she has a role in the play. Patterson's father Gary, who has the role of Father in the play, is also working on the set, and her husband, Matt, is in charge of the lighting. The youngest member of the cast is Patterson's son Jaxson, 2, who portrays a turtle.

Father (Gary Patterson) (left) with his family (left to right): Eve (Andrea Cary), Adam (Travis Myers-Arrigoni), Abel (Mark VanHorn) and Cain (J. Daniel Craig) appear in Red Barn Players production of "Children of Eden."
Father (Gary Patterson) (left) with his family (left to right): Eve (Andrea Cary), Adam (Travis Myers-Arrigoni), Abel (Mark VanHorn) and Cain (J. Daniel Craig) appear in Red Barn Players production of "Children of Eden."

Because Patterson's parents were involved in theater, Patterson grew up on stage and Jaxson is following in her footsteps to the footlights.

Just like the Patterson family, the Cary Family grew up at the Red Barn Theatre and are well represented in "Children of Eden" with David Cary as Noah and his daughter Andrea as Eve.

A chorus of Storytellers narrates the story. The large cast also includes Travis Myers-Arrigoni as Adam and Janaya Danielle as Mama Noah.

Family conflict on the Ark: Mama Noah (Janaya Daniele), Noah (David A. Cary), Shem (Nathan Kingston), Aysha (Hopi Myers-Arrigoni), Japheth (Xander Boots), Yonah (Melissa Patterson), Aphra (Sarah Martz) and Ham (Joseph Bellinger) in Red Barn Players production of "Children of Eden."
Family conflict on the Ark: Mama Noah (Janaya Daniele), Noah (David A. Cary), Shem (Nathan Kingston), Aysha (Hopi Myers-Arrigoni), Japheth (Xander Boots), Yonah (Melissa Patterson), Aphra (Sarah Martz) and Ham (Joseph Bellinger) in Red Barn Players production of "Children of Eden."

"There are some regular Red Barn players and some new people and there are two other families in the play," Schlemmer said.

"In 1997, the Red Barn did 'Children of Eden,' so we are looking forward to this production."

From the musical theatre greats John Caird and Stephen Schwartz, it is joyous and thought-provoking. It is a candid and moving musical with just enough humor to give the audience a gentle and meaningful experience.

Where: Red Barn Theatre, 1279 Route 288, Franklin Township

When: 8 p.m. July 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

Admission: $19

Reservations: http://www.RedBarnPlayers.com

Customer Service: 724-452-8082

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Red Barn Players putting on 'Children of Eden'