Theater review: See life from ‘The Beginning’ at Sight & Sound
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com
If ever you wondered what it was like at the very start of the existence of the universe, a visit to Sight & Sound Theatres epic production, IN THE BEGINNING, will provide as good a glimpse of creation as you’ll ever see in this life.
As the great voice of God thunders, “It is good!” various aspects of creation come into being.
With newly formed planets and angels floating overhead and a magnificent Garden of Eden springing up in front and around, it’s difficult to decide where to look.
Birds soar above; mechanically engineered animatronic creatures and live animals saunter about the glorious glowing Tree of Life in the center of the Garden; dolphins leap in the distance. It’s a sight to behold.
Most astounding is when God creates Adam out of the earth in His own image and with a tremendous breath brings him to life, then from his rib gives him Eve.
But God’s perfect creation of Paradise is thwarted when the angel Lucifer becomes jealous of man and incites a rebellion. Changed into Satan, Lucifer plots and convinces Serpent to aid him in man’s downfall by enticing Eve to tempt Adam into eating from the forbidden Tree of Good and Evil.
Act I ends with the sneaky snake slithering stealthfully away as Adam and Eve are cast out of the Garden.
Their perfect idyllic life forfeited through their act of disobedience to God, Adam and Eve are seeking a place of refuge in the bleak countryside as Act II opens. Eve is about to give birth to her firstborn, Cain.
The outcasts long to see the face of God again and are sent an angel from God with the message “Seek me and you will find me.”(This ultimately becomes the show’s theme.)
Life is hard but there are pleasant times, too, living life together with everyone helping each other as the family of man grows. Expecting their 43rd child, Eve comments “When the Lord said be fruitful and multiply, we certainly obeyed that!”
But Satan’s plans to separate man from God never cease. Jealousy again brings ruinous results when Cain slays Abel.
On his deathbed, Adam sees a vision of salvation and the continuation of good and evil down through the ages.
Reunited in Paradise, Adam and Eve and all of mankind receive a beautiful ending message.
This outstanding production is both uplifting and entertaining.
IN THE BEGINNING will continue through October 27 at the Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre on Rt. 896 in Strasburg, Pa. Sign up for a bus trip or to order tickets, visit www.sight-sound.com or call 800-377-1277.