'Eden' Benet director's last show
Director William Conley shares his thoughts on "Children of Eden," his last show as a director at Benet Academy.
"Children of Eden" will be the last musical I will direct at Benet. After 30 years of directing plays and working on set construction, I will be retiring from extracurricular drama.
This retirement will be bittersweet, however, because I have the pleasure of working with some amazing colleagues. I want to thank Brian Wand (vocal director), John Leffler (set), Rich Alifantis (pit orchestra), Suzy Olsen (choreography) and Bob Haddleton (lights) for their wonderful contributions to the show.
I am also grateful for the network of parents who work tirelessly behind the scenes on costumes, tickets, T-shirts, meals, publicity and many other areas of support.
Finally, I will miss working with tremendously talented and dedicated students. They continually amaze me with their work ethic and their willingness to do what we directors ask of them.
So why choose "Children of Eden" for my last show? Because of its profound message.
Telling the Genesis story from the creation to the flood, "Children of Eden" focuses on the message that God loves us, provides for us and wants us to be his "children." It shows us the cycle of our disobeying or pulling away from God and his message of always pursuing us, never giving up on us.
The show culminates as Noah and his family step off the ark to begin their journey anew, a second chance for all humanity from the Father. It's here that the cast sings some of the most meaningful lyrics:
"Our hands can choose to drop the knife
"Our hearts can choose to stop the hating
"For ev'ry moment of our life
"Is the beginning."
The Father responds that "no doom is written in the stars," reflecting one last time his plan to have a loving relationship with his children.
We hope this show will be something more than just a good high school production. It is our desire that this show will inspire some viewers to begin their journey with God and others to renew their faith. It is our desire that all of us children will one day be reunited with our Father.