Abby Johnson is preparing for her most challenging role in her young acting career – the Biblical character of Eve.
But there’s more to Eve than eating an apple, and the Lakeside High School student plans to show audiences just how complex she is in the upcoming Augusta Junior Players production of “Children of Eden Jr.”
“She’s a wonderful character. She’s very dynamic,” said Johnson, who goes through a tremendous character arc in Eve from the excitement of her youth to her fear and uncertainty when being cast out of the Garden to her deep sorrow over the strife and brutality of her sons to her old age when she’s nearing the end of her life.
Written in 1991, the musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote “Wicked” and “Godspell” and book by John Caird, “Children of Eden Jr.” is not a direct retelling of the Biblical story.
It uses a familiar construct to examine family relationships. Characters range from Adam and Eve to Noah.
“The whole concept of this show is generations. What do parents pass onto their children who then pass on to their children? Who is the one to jump in and break generational cycles that so many people have passed down?” said Christina DeCarlo, who is directing 26 children between the ages of 8 and 18 in “Children of Eden Jr.”
“Children of Eden Jr.” relies primarily on the songs to drive the action of the show. There’s sparse dialogue. With an ensemble cast, the show also highlights each of the actors in some way.
While the Junior Players have done more familiar shows, the goal of the youth wing isn’t just to put on something entertaining. It’s to train young actors in their craft, and this show is the right vehicle to do just that.
“It’s really tackling serious material, and we’re making sure we push them with their acting,” she said.
Justice Blackman, a Greenbrier High School senior, joined the Augusta Junior Players for the first time in the summer production of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” He’s gone all in, volunteering over the summer with Camp Wonderland and now playing the role of Father.
He said he’s drawn to the Augusta Junior Players because of the level of professionalism he sees in it, and he’s enjoying doing a show such as “Children of Eden Jr.” that challenges him as well.
“It’s a heavy hitter with big emotions. Everything about it is huge,” he said.
Even though it uses age-old stories and the musical itself is more than 30 years old, both Johnson and Blakeman said it’s still relevant for their generation.
“The idea of a whole story centered around a concept of family struggles that is something that will always be forever relevant even if we all have computer chips in our heads and are robots one day. We still have to communicate. That aspect of communication is still relevant,” Blakeman said.
“Children of Eden Jr.” will be performed at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 and at 4 and 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Kroc Center. For tickets, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
