Let it be stated at the start that Stephen Schwartz’s 1991 musical “Children of Eden” is among this arts writer’s favorite musicals. Let it also be admitted that she is a fan of J*Company Youth Theatre, a program of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center’s Jacobs Family Campus in the Golden Triangle area. Based on Old Testament stories concerning the Garden of Eden and Noah’s Ark, “Children of Eden” plays through May 22 at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre, located at 4126 Executive Drive. Schwartz, as musical theater fans know, is also the author of “Godspell,” “Pippin” and “Wicked.” Nothing could be more perfect for the J*Company than “Children of Eden,” however, because it contains so many excellent roles. In addition, director Joey Landwehr has also double cast the show, giving the kids an opportunity to perform larger roles in what he calls the Meadowlark Cast and then smaller ones in the Lion Tamer Cast. Landwehr, a Broadway veteran with a gorgeous high baritone, sings the off-stage role of “Father,” who is the creator of humankind. Headliners in the first act (I saw the Meadowlark Cast on Friday, May 13, at 10 a.m.) are Adam, played by Darien Sepulveda, 18, a student at High Tech High International; and Eve, played by Lindsey Grant, 15, a student at Canyon Crest Academy. Noah is played by Daniel Myers, 18, of High Tech High International. All are talented way beyond their years. Myers and Sepulveda alternate as Adam, while Naomi McPherson, 17, also of High Tech High, alternates with Grant in the role of Eve. There are 14 name roles in the show’s two acts, with student actors ranging in age from 10 to 18 and coming from schools all over the San Diego area, including San Diego Jewish Academy, La Jolla Country Day, Standley Middle School and Canyon Crest Academy, among many others. In addition to these name roles there are four others who act as storytellers, a sociologist and an anthropologist and at least 50 others who are dancers and animals. Additionally, there is a live orchestra comprising 13 players including music director Tim McKnight. My favorites among the musical numbers are “A World Without You” “Children of Eden,” Stranger to the Rain” (sung by Japeth’s wife, Yonah, the excellent Jesse Carpentier), and “The Hardest Part of Love,” which has true, heartbreaking lyrics about children growing up, having their own ideas, and having to let them go whether we believe they are wrong or right. Reasons for attending a J*Company production are many. Primarily, it renews one’s faith in the future of humankind and the future of musical theater to see children of all ages, colors and faiths unite to create something that may not be perfect but certainly edifies all who perform and all who witness. IF YOU GO Remaining performances take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 19; 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 21; and 1 and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Tickets range from $14-$16, and are available at www.sdcja.org/jcompany or by calling (858) 362-1348.
