Children of Eden, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by John Caird, is a two-act musical based on the Book of Genesis, offering a fun twist on the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah and the Flood. Themes of parent/child relationships resonate well with audiences, as well as, the bittersweet and inspiring message of “the hardest part of love… is letting go”. Kyle Elphick, Caldwell resident and long-time member of the choir, said “I know that audiences will leave with a new perspective on family and love.”
The choir is under the musical direction and leadership of Barbara Piercy and her husband, Noel Piercy with the show being directed and choreographed by their daughter, Adriana.
The large cast includes Verona residents Colin Vega, Patrick Citrano, Jim Cuddihy, Eliana Salierno, as well as musical directors Noel and Barbara Piercy and their daughter and director, Adriana Piercy (a former resident).
Both the Westminster Choir and Pilgrim Choir at The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell take part in the youth musical. Westminster Choir is the teenage choir consisting of children in grades 8-12 and Pilgrim Choir consists of children grades 6-7. In addition to singing classic church hymns in worship on Sundays, the choir performs a cabaret and a full-length musical, annually. “Being a part of the musical at First Pres is a unique and meaningful experience because our goal is not simply to put on an excellent show,” Kyle said. “We are not just building a musical. We are building a community.”
Every year, the choir goes on tour performing the musical in another region of the country. This year, they traveled to Seattle, Washington to perform Children of Eden. Erin Bogert, resident of North Caldwell, recently returned from choir tour and said, “it is a phenomenal experience because you are not only performing but you are also meeting new people and making sure your message is heard wherever you go.” The choir and its annual tour has been a FPC tradition for over twenty years. Over the years, the choir has produced countless young adults who later pursued music or musical theatre as their career.
Performances of Children of Eden are on Friday, May 1, Saturday, May 2, and Sunday May 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, located at 326 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell. Tickets are available online at www.firstprescaldwell.org or in the church office. For more information, please call the church office at (973) 228-0310.
