Children of Eden?

Okay I came across a short article about a Symphonic Edition of Children of Eden the other day and my curiousity got the better of me... Does anyone have any info about it? What I heard sounded interesting but information is really scarce??

Updated On: 6/22/11 at 03:40 AM

Maybe this?

Did the show in high school. Paper Mill Playhouse recorded their production about 15 years ago, which is worth a listen. I think it's a pretty interesting concept--Act I is Adam & Eve, Act II is Noah's Ark, with the story told with lots of parallels to emphasize the importance of family and interpersonal relations, even when times of strife seem to overpower them.

The score is very Schwartz-esque. It was my first exposure to Stephen Schwartz, and when I went to see Wicked I kept hearing very familiar chordal progressions and themes.

The two versions are so different. There are a lot of songs that were cut from the London production and replaced with new ones.

And then some of the songs (Lost In The Wilderness among them) that retained their titles but were completely re-written both lyrically and musically.

Which version is the symphonic production, BWIDB Charlie? Or is it a combination of both?

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I own the Paper Mill recording and I don't listen to it much except for "Lost in the Wilderness" and "Spark of Creation". I think Stephanie Mills sings the hell out of that song. I stumbled on this show listening to BWW Radio. I bought it for the song "Lost in the Wilderness". Not sure I would buy the symphonic version but would at least listen to it once.

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Updated On: 6/22/11 at 09:25 AM

BWIDB Charlie,

Will they be making a recording of the concert? I have a couple friends in the cast, but won't be able to make it up there for the show. I'd LOVE a full recording.

Eh. Ain't It Good sounds terrible on the OLCR.

While I amnot the biggest Schwartz fan, I do like his shows (some of them in a guilty pleasure way, admittedly), and Eden is his only core I really don't know at all. Back when I ws a teen and had more disposable income for cast recordings, I was desperate to get the very briefly in print London recording, but it was always selling for $100+ plus. Then I kinda lost interest--the clips I've heard of the Papermill recor5ding really don't do much for me whatsoever.