“It's Not Your Everyday High School Musical”

Home , Children of Eden

“Children of Eden” “It’s Not Your Everyday High School Musical” NEWARK _ It was the “extraordinary” music that first made Steve Duprey want to direct Stephen Schwartz’s musical “Children of Eden” at Newark High School in 1999. But because of the com- plexity of the production, this show is quite an undertaking to produce. So Duprey, who directs shows at both NHS and DeSales High School, in addition to teaching communication courses at Finger Lakes Community Colleges’ satellites in Newark and Ge- neva, decided that year to wait until he had a little more time in his schedule to take on something that demand- ing. When his schedule freed up a year later, he directed “Children of Eden” at the Pennsylva-

nia Yankee Theater Company in Penn Yan where it was very well received. This year he chose to do it at NHS and while producing the nearly three- hour-long show has been enormously chal- lenging for everyone involved it in, Duprey and NHS music teacher Jean Bendix, who is the vocal music director and co-producer for the show along with NHS instrumental teacher Dave Schwind, say it’s been a huge undertaking, but one worth doing. “It’s the most inspiring show I’ve ever worked on,’’ Bendix said during a brief re- hearsal break February 28. “It’s also the most music we’ve ever had to learn for a show. It’s double what we normally do. But it’s a wonderful show that I think everyone will like.’’ “This is not your average high school musical. It’s the biggest show I’ve done at the high school level,’’ added Duprey, a fan of Schwartz’s music and shows. “The first act is 90 minutes. We break for 15. And the second act is 70. Even though it’s long, it’s riveting. I don’t think any- one will be looking at their watch.’’ “Children of Eden’’ which has never played on Broadway, is very popular, and among the top 20 most frequently licensed shows, he said. The musical is loosely based on the book of Gene- sis. Act 1 is about Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel and the second act, that features the same lead characters, is about Noah and the Flood. “The show is more about relationships between Fathers and sons, than stories from the Bible,’’ Duprey said. “The first act ends with one of the most stunning moments in theater. Every time we rehearse it, I cry. My favorite song, “Hardest Part of Love’’ is one every parent in the audience will relate to because it’s true.’’ Up until these last two weeks, the cast of 47 had been re- hearsing about 15 hours a week. Now it’s between 20 and 25. Duprey, who also designed the sets, lighting and program, in addition to di- recting the show, has been averag- ing about 25 hours a week on the show since rehearsals be- gan in January. The demands of the show have meant the help of many people has been required behind the scenes. “So many people are involved in this production,’’ Duprey said. “I’ve never seen so many people step up and help. For example, we have so many parents working on costumes. The other night we had five or six sewing machines going in the lobby. The sets are huge. The artwork is beautiful and different. Marc Jennette (NHS technology teacher) and his crew built the sets. Gigi Parcero, a Newark artist, has designed and been creating, with the help of volunteers, the most incredible animals. “Work on this show has been draining and I think we are all ex- hausted, but we are all having great time. The cast is great. The music is wonderful. I think everyone will really enjoy it,’’ Duprey said. Cast members and their grade in parentheses include: Scooter Ro- senthal (11) as Father; Mike Wildey (12) as Adam and Noah; Susannah Hallagan (12) as Eve/Mama; Chelsea Bendix (10), Jacob Kline (10), Geoff Nassimos (12), Mary Timerson (11), Claire Walton (11) as the Snake; Michael Fedzcuk (5) as young Cain; Grant Howard (4) as young Abel; Timothy R Crawford II (11) as Cain/Japheth; Nathan Thayer (11) as Abel/Ham; Mark Chamberlin (12) as Seth/Shem; Mary Timerson (11) as Aysha; Chelsea Bendix (10) as Aphra; and Claire Walton (11) as Yo- nah. Storytellers include: Liz Bitonti (11), Ash- ley Bremer (9), Holly Bullock (10), Colin Burgess (10), Emily Cornwell (11), Kaleigh DeJohn (10), C.J. Edmonds (11), Rebecca Fries (10), Lydia Garofalo (12), Megan Gnau (12), Emily Grahling (11), Lauren Hann (10), Katie Hill (12), Chel- sie Faye Hinckley (10), Mary House- camp (10), Nina Ja- cobsen (12), Sarah Ku- perus (11), Chris Martin (10), Kristin McCormack (11), Alex Nassimos (10), Justina Quagliata (12), Chelsea Ross (11), Connor Ross (9), Mike Santino (9), Alyssa Seely (11), Joe Sullivan (11), Sara Taylor (12), Tyler VanHall (10), Evan VanKouwenberg (9), Brynna Venoski (10), Kyle Ver- Straete (9); Mallary Walton (9), Kim Whitbeck (9) and Paige Williams (9). Orchestra members include: Lisa Mat- thys (12), Stacey Brooks (10), first and second flutes; Kari DeWind (12), oboe; Emily Walpole (10) and Emily Bruni (11), first and second clarinets; Scott Diamond

(11), alto/tenor sax; Nick Schwind (12), horn; Anson Stiles (10), bass; Mike Ciranni & Chris Jackson (11), guitar; Brantley Edmonds (12) and Holly Gilligan (11), percus- sion; Mary Lou Bonnell, piano; and Deborah VanRiper, cello. Others involved in the production include David Schwind, NHS instrumental music teacher as pit orchestra conductor; Emily Howard as choreographer; Kasie Tierson (12), Katie Nelson (11) and Jennie Johnson (12) as stage managers; Marc Jeanette as master car- penter; Kasie Tierson (12), Brandon Schober (9), Jennnie Johnson (12), Ashley Hills (11), Jay Wheaton (12), Ray Boyd (12), Stephan Wlo- darczyk (12) and Lydia Ga- rofalo (12) as set crew members; and Maria Walton and Sue Everdyke in charge of costumes. Also, Corrina DeJohn, Laurie Seely, Beth Wildey and Colleen Nas- simos, sewing; Gigi Parcero, puppet design and creator; Mary Jo Cole and Bob Bendix, props; Sid Pruitt (12), Dylan Hallagan (9) as light board op- erators; Andrew Hallagan (12) and Alex Schwind (11) as sound board op- erators; Ryan Henkel (11) and Kyle Zappia (11) as spotlight op- erators; Mark Chamberlin (12), photography. Also, Carol Ro- senthal, public- ity; Kara Rusco and her cosmetology class, hair and makeup; Lauren Cole (12), poster, program and tee-shirt design; Kayleigh DiFranco (12), head usher; and Johnna Sorensen (11), Tracy Burlingham (11), Mary Jennifer Truini (12), Sarah Arbogast (11), Ashley Yost (12), Noah Brant (9), and Amanda Lombardi (9), ushers. “Children of Eden” perform- ances are at 7:30 p.m. March 9 and 10 and at 2 p.m. March 11. Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens; $7 for adults. Senior citizen with a Golden Pass may attend for free. Advance sale tickets are available at the NHS school of- fice; the Newark P&C; Flowers Un- limited and the Village Pharmacy.