Review: TYA Presents 'Children of Eden'

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Trumbull Youth Association’s production of Children of Eden opened this weekend at Trumbull High School. The TYA has been presenting a yearly musical since they began with West Side Story in 1969. This year they decided to do a very large version of Children of Eden with a book by John Caird and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz based on a concept by Charles Lisanby. The students involved recently met with the composer for a question and answer session at the high school where they would perform his work.

I am pretty sure that Mr. Schwartz would be pleased with the finished product that director Brett Boles and his group have worked hard to put together. Mr. Boles performed in Children of Eden 12 years ago, and has always wanted to be a part of it again. “Its themes of letting go, forgiveness, and the relationships between parents and children are timeless and a great set of themes to study at any age,” he writes. The 75 students filled the stage with beautiful storytelling, soaring vocals and dances that added to the overall experience of this well-conceived two act musical.

For me the best part of seeing this show for the first time was watching all of the pieces that Mr. Schwartz had discussed with the students fall into place. The best of the production numbers were “The Naming” of the newly created animals in the first act and “Ain’t It Good?” in the second. The biblical themes from the Creation story that are repeated in the second act story of Noah made for a strong connection of the two. Just as Godspell includes the crucifixion, this piece has its share of slightly depressing parts, but ends with an uplifting message.

The snake that tempts Eve in the first act was comprised of seven actors with Kevin Durkee as the head. Many of the storyteller ensemble stepped up to sing a featured role throughout the show and all did well. This was an ensemble that had a lot to do and had a constant presence on the stage. The smaller (and shorter) Children’s Ensemble kept up with their older counterparts in talent and were wrangled by Jenny Bolton.

Shaun Rimkunas, a Trumbull High School graduate who will attend Ithica College in the fall, took on the role of Father as part of the action in the first act and as a spirit in the second. Matthew Johnson. a Connecticut High School Musical Theater Award nominee, was equally convincing as Adam as he was as Noah. Kaylin Weller, in her ninth summer with TYA, turned in an amazing performance as the headstrong Eve and loving Mama Noah. The voice of Ryan McEniry was sparkling when he played both Cain and Noah’s son Japheth. Michael Lepore ( a rising junior at Trumbull High School who was last seen as Collins in Rent) was both a fine actor and singer in the role of the grown Abel. His brother Christopher made his theatre debut in the role of Young Cain. Annie Stachura, who sang “Stranger to the Rain” for its composer and the Broadway actress who sang it in the Paper Mill Playhouse production during their recent visit, gave a strong performance in the role of Yonah.

Lisa Mennilli and her assistant Meghan Quinn choreographed some wonderful dances that everyone performed joyously in well-conceived costumes designed by co-producers Merial Cornell and Mary Joan Wright. Properties Master Cathy Bolton and the students produced many handmade and quite elaborate masks and puppets that appear in the Creation scene as well as the loading of Noah’s ark. The nine-piece orchestra under the direction of Stephen Ferri did a great job with the lovely score.

Congratulations to this group of young actors on a heartfelt production of a great show. 

Children of Eden continues next weekend. On August 8 and 9 the show will begin at 8 p.m. and the August 10 matinees are scheduled for 2 p.m. Reserved seats are $16 each. Trumbull High School Auditorium is located at 72 Strobel Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611.

Tickets are available online at www.showtix4u.com.

Pictured: Kaylin Weller as Eve with members of the cast of ’Children of Eden.’ Photo courtesy of TYA