Benet to present 'Children of Eden'

Though senior Kevin Phillips plays God the Father in Benet Academy's upcoming production of "Children of Eden," his isn't the only creative force behind the musical retelling of the first eight chapters of the Book of Genesis.

Director William Conley, a Benet English teacher who's been directing shows at the Lisle Catholic high school for 30 years, leads a 55-member cast and a crew through the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Noah.

After this show, Conley is stepping down from his role as director of theatrical productions at Benet, though he'll continue teaching at the school.

"It's time," Conley said. "My wife is a retired schoolteacher and it's time. It's going to be bittersweet, there's no question."

Even God rested on the seventh day.

"It's really sad because he's so great," said sophomore Laura Sportiello, who plays Eve. "This is one of his favorite shows, so it means a lot."

"We did this seven years ago," Conley said. "The songs are fabulous and powerful.

"The theme is the Father keeps reaching out and asking his children to come back to him," he said. "He simply wants their obedience. It tells the story of Adam and Eve, who disobeyed. It's a powerful tension. We all have that tension (between) what we want to do versus what God wants us to do."

Conley said chorus members, who serve as a kind of a Greek chorus, will be positioned throughout the audience and in technical decks suspended above the audience.

"It's going to be almost surround-sound," he said.

The two-act show features students as well as several of their younger siblings, who are cast as children, Conley said.

Phillips, who plays the Father and who appeared in Benet's "Beauty and the Beast" last year, said he'll miss Conley's guidance.

"He's a fantastic director," Phillips said. "He's really nuance heavy."

Phillips said the score for the Bible story was written by American composer Stephen Schwartz, whom Phillips had the opportunity to meet at a book signing.

"The music is quite exquisite," he said.

Junior Nathan Alongi portrays Adam.

"It's fun, actually. It's kind of different to play. At the beginning he's just born. He goes from a little kid to a father," said Alongi, who was involved in a production of "Children of Eden" as a student at Ss. Peter and Paul School.

"When he starts out, he's like a little teacher's pet. He follows the Father everywhere," Alongi said. "Eve is more the rebellious one. She's always asking questions."

Sportiello said she sees Eve as someone who isn't defiant so much as simply flawed. She said she's excited about playing the role.

"I'm so grateful to Mr. Conley for giving me this opportunity," she said. "At first, I was kind of worried about it. I was afraid it might be overwhelming.

"Whether you're Catholic or not, you can relate to it. I really connected with the message it sends," she said. "It's all about family and having to let go and forgive. We all make mistakes."

Conley said the show is accessible to all audiences.

"It's very moving, it's not preachy," he said. "The final song the whole cast sings has some words about how it's in our hands to change the way the world is. People are feeling really renewed."

If you go

What: "Children of Eden," staged by Benet Academy students

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 12, 13 and 14; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15

Where: Benet's St. Daniel Hall, 2200 Maple Ave., Lisle

Tickets: $10

Info: (630) 319-2492 or benet.org

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="'Eden' Benet director's last show">/story/?id=278264 <span class="date">[03/12/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>