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It’s a Schwartz-a-thon!
15th July 2008
By Melissa Trickey
We often come across great examples of people giving a lot of their
time and exerting lots of effort to get a show off the ground,
whether it is as a member of the creative team or from a technical
perspective. Then, you got just plain crazy people who not only
coordinate and oversee the development of a production; they also
want to be the whole creative team!?! Two such crazy people are
James Cutler and Luigi Lucente, who are the Directing/Musically
Directing/All-doing-and-knowing team behind the One Community Church
production of “Children of Eden” a re-telling of the book of Genesis
from the Old Testament of the Bible. So when creativity and passion
collide, the only product possible is a joyous experience for all
involved, as told in the Book of: Emma Caldwell (Eve), Gerard Lane
(Father) and a very happy Director/MD James Cutler.
 And
the Lord said unto James, how did the Spirit move you to bring this
production to fruition (or something like that…)? “This whole thing
first came up in my mind when I was introduced to the show back in
2001 at school, and from that moment I knew I loved it and wanted to
do it one day. Then in 2004 I did a concert at the Doncaster
Playhouse, which is an intimate little theatre, and I thought
‘wouldn't it be awesome to stage a big musical on a small stage with
minimal set, minimal cast members who play multiple roles and create
the locations just with themselves!’ And then I went one step
further: they should all play their own instruments!”
“Sure enough, not long after I heard about a production of Sweeney
Todd on Broadway which used a similar style. I felt ripped off!
But at least it gave some cred to my hair-brained idea. At the
beginning of this year I realised that Children of Eden would be the
perfect show to receive this treatment. I liaised with Luigi and
very quickly things just fell into place.”
“Luigi is one of the very few people I actually could see working
with in this way. We work as Co Directors and Co Music Directors,
which is really the only way to work when the acting and the music
are as intertwined as they are in this show. Luigi and I share the
same vision for this show and so devising the concept and planning
its realization on stage was actually very simple. We have similar
ideas and collaborate well. That, and he's just an amazing and
talented all rounder!”
“This show is so unique because of its concept. There are heaps of
lead and cameo roles but the show uses Storytellers as the main
device, so it's simple to shrink it all down to just 15. These 15
play the whole score while they act, and hardly leave the stage.
When they're not acting they're providing the accompaniment for the
other actors, fully visible to the audience the entire time. The
cast collectively play over 60 instruments, including orchestral
instruments, African instruments, Orff instruments, 'Junkyard
Percussion' and even some household objects!”
“I'm expecting both theatre- and non-theatre people to be taken in
by an exceptionally exciting piece of Theatre that is totally
different to the usual 'Musical Theatre' approach. You can expect
to see a cast of 'quadruple-threats' doing something really
innovative. On a personal note, I expect this show will challenge
theatre people particularly to appreciate Musical Theatre being
presented in new and exciting ways.”
 Why
did Emma Caldwell want to go to ‘Eden’? “So many reasons! Firstly
the show itself is one of my favourites- quite simply it is
stunning. Secondly, the concept of a small cast playing the
instruments as well as acting out the stories is so innovative and
serves the show so incredibly well. And thirdly, to work with such a
talented production team and cast is such an honour.”
“Although the concept of co-directors/musical directors is a bit
different, I think it works if they are like minded and unified in
their vision for the show. Luckily, Luigi and James compliment each
other very well, and are very much on the same page with things. In
this situation, both guys are amazing actors, singers and musicians,
so why not share the responsibilities over the whole production?”
“In our production we’ve really tried to capture the ‘story-telling’
aspect of the show, and approached the show from the perspective
that we are all story-tellers acting out these tales. Of course, the
most unique aspect of this production is that the story-tellers also
use musical instruments to convey the meaning of the stories, which
has been challenging, but now we have the hang of it, proves to be
quite amazing to watch. Lastly, the fact that we have a small cast
performing what is usually a show done with a huge cast, makes it an
intimate and moving experience.”
Gerard Lane
on the other hand, is revelling in a role that seems to be a natural
progression for him… “I was so
excited to be cast as the Father because Children of Eden is my
favourite show (I saw the Monash production seven times) but I was
worried that the role was required to play Piano, because at
Piano, I suck. I'm glad that the vision of the Father role was
modified to suit with my abilities!”
 “James
and Lui's passion for the show is so infectious that there is no
other way than to be swept up in enthusiasm and push ourselves to
excel. The show is incredibly difficult- the Cast collectively sing
more songs the Jean Val Jean, and it’s the cast as a whole that are
in the star vehicle, they have the title role as Children of Eden. I
think James and Luigi vision is one that is the road less travelled,
especially in non-professional theatre. They are brave and in J- Lui
we trust.”
“The
Space
is amazing, not a traditional theatre space, mainly used as a
church. I hope it will be accessible for our audience to engage and
feed there imaginations.
Our Cast are
an immensely talented and eclectic bunch of
performers of varying abilities and many varied skills. With so many
instruments, text and music, the cast juggle all the elements and
will work tirelessly to keep the show in the realm of magic.
The Score,
for those unfamiliar with it, is worth coming to hear the songs.
Schwartz is a rare song writer who can reach deep inside people and
change you for the better. Those familiar with Wicked or have seen
it will know how his orchestrations pull at heart strings till there
nothing left.”
“Also the fact that there wont be another production like it,
whether our audience think our end product is good of terrible, the
point is we tried to tell are story that matters. It's not a
predominantly religious or Christian/Jewish show, it is a show for
all creeds and faiths, and it is a show about family and the self
and what it means to be human. I'm sorry if I’m waffle but I love
this show! What can you expect? Hopefully laughter and tears,
usually at the same time. If this show is not moving we aren't doing
our job. We'll keep working on it till the last show. I hope to see
you all there.”
Children
of Eden
Presented by One
Community
Church
16th-19th July 2008
See our What’s On Section
for details
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