From left -- Nick Yoon, Catherine Ariale, Garrett Niles, Hunter Thomas, Michelle Ross and Abbey Brewer. Photo by John Ariale
Senior and junior high school youth from Burke Presbyterian Church presented the musical Children of Eden in four performances on March 13-16. The free events were open to the community. The Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark, and other stories of the Old Testament were brought to life on the stage.
The cast and crew comprised students from Robinson and Lake Braddock Secondary Schools, West Springfield High School, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Immanuel Christian School, Irving Middle School, Herndon Middle School, Canterbury Woods Elementary School and Keene Mill Elementary School. Director was Charlie Brady of Burke, who himself is an alumnus of musical productions at BPC.
"It was a great joy to watch our incredibly talented youth bring this show to life," said Linda Kurtz of Burke, stage manager for the production. "Each performance seemed better than the one before it, and I was proud of the cast and crew for giving these important Biblical stories their all."
The show features music and lyrics by Broadway award winning composer Stephen Schwartz. The story is based on the story of Genesis and is a heartfelt and often humorous examination of the age-old conflict between parents and children. Adam, Eve, Noah and the "Father" who created them deal with the headstrong, cataclysmic actions of their respective children. The show ultimately delivers a bittersweet but inspiring message: "the hardest part of love... is letting go."
This is the 18th musical presented by the church for the local community. For a look back at the history of the program at Burke Presbyterian Church, visit http://www.burkepreschurch.org/musical