by James Still
DECEMBER 18–FEBRUARY 25
A delightfully comic look at relationships!
SYNOPSIS
Searching for Eden is an enchanting new look at the biblical
story of Adam and Eve, who are born into Paradise as the first humans.
They discover the primal emotions of what it is to be human, inventing
love and language. After lasting through the collapse of their idyllic
world and thousands of years of life together, Adam and Eve return to
the place that was the Garden of Eden, now a resort called E, for a
get-away from the hectic life of present day. They seek that same
paradise hoping to revitalize their love for one another.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
When it comes to the battle of the sexes, the author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus has nothing on the great American iconoclast Mark Twain. In 1893, Twain
submitted his “Extracts From Adam’s Diary,” a daily
journal ostensibly penned by the First Man in Eden, for inclusion in The Niagara Book,
(an edition of writings promoting Niagara Falls as an attractive
getaway). This clever and witty account of the events at the dawn of
human creation had our ancestor wrestling with nature, the cosmos and
above all else, the greatest mystery: Woman. In 1905, after the death
of his beloved wife Livy Langdon, Twain published a companion piece
entitled “Eve’s Diary.” A rare instance of a
female narrator in Twain’s canon, the First Woman was clearly not
going to be sprung from a rib only to allow Adam to have the last word
on the world’s seminal events. These diaries are a terrific read,
achingly funny, and all too insightful into the differences between men
and women. Their sardonic wit, good will, and tender poignancy may even
give the reader a window into what might make for a lasting
relationship.
I can think of no writer better suited to be a companion for Mark Twain
than contemporary playwright James Still. Though I’ve never
directed any of his plays, I’ve been a long-time fan. Inspired by
the “Diaries,” Still has imagined his way into Adam and
Eve’s Eden, their expulsion from the garden, and their middle age
set 2000 years in the future, crafting a “he said/she said”
of biblical proportions and an affecting, open-hearted work for the
stage. Still seems to share Twain’s bright optimism and the
ability to translate fervent feeling into resonant, plainspoken
language with compassion, a gentle warmth, and humor. From his
remembrance of Anne Frank in his play And Then They Came for Me, to his excavation of Abe Lincoln in The Heavens Are Hung In Black,
Still’s characters, whether original or historical, all exhibit a
passion for living and discovery, a bewilderment and awe of life, a
striking humanity.
Unlike the Adam and Eve of Searching for Eden, my primary relationship
does not go back quite so far. Five years into my marriage with a
two-year old daughter and a twelve-week old son I’ll sometimes
wonder what happens to a couple after the first bloom of love, after
their children are grown, and after they meet any assortment of
life’s curveballs or adversities. What does it mean to live
outside of Eden and how do we return to where we were originally
inspired or conceived? What do we mean when we say “I love
you”? I am grateful to have the opportunity to spend time
in the company of two writers intrepid enough to explore life’s
deepest mysteries, and lend insight into our struggles to measure our
lives, to learn to love, and thrive on this lonely planet.
