Theater review: Adam and Eve in Garden of Delights, or Love

by Carol M. Rice

Most of us, whether religious or not, are familiar with the story of Adam and Eve and their fall from God’s grace in the Garden of Eden. The good news is that no matter what you believe (or don’t), MBS Productions’ clever take on the story in Adam & Eve in the Garden of Delights, or Love makes for a thoroughly entertaining evening of theatre.

As a Christian raised pretty conservatively (and knowing that MBS Productions can be somewhat... irreverent), I will admit that I approached the production with some trepidation, but overall, I found it delightful. Do be warned, however, that there have been audience members who have been offended, so this show is not for everyone.

The lights come up on Jason Clements as Adam in probably the weakest part of the play. Mr. Clements is very talented but he has about five minutes too long by himself on stage. As the show’s opener, the long monologue resulted in it taking me awhile to get into the show. When Eva finally showed up, I literally thought, “Thank God!” (no pun intended).

Fortunately at this point, things really start to happen and I was able to forgive the show’s weak opening. The witty repartee between Lisa D’Alessandro and Mr. Clements picks the pace up very quickly. Ms. D’Alessandro is lovely in the role of Eva, and she knows how to use her facial expressions to great comic timing.

When J.P. Cano as Serpentum enters the picture, life in the Garden becomes much more complicated. Serpentum not only introduces Eva to the apple, but also to a sexual passion that was apparently missing in the innocent coupling she experienced with Adam. Not satisfied with the seduction of just Eva, Serpentum also easily seduces an innocent and curious Adam.

With his lilting accent and excellent build, Mr. Cano is a fine casting choice as the handsome stranger who seems to want nothing but control over his new friends, but I felt that his overly charming come-ons were directed to be a bit too “in your face.” I also got annoyed watching some of the contortions the poor man had to make to keep from exposing himself to the audience...a choice which makes sense later on but until then made me wonder why.

The thing that makes this play so appealing, however, is not the peek-a-boo nudity or the scandalous retelling of the Adam and Eve story, or even the beautifully simple yet perfect set, but in the comedy paired with philosophy that is so brilliantly created in the script by Alejandro de la Costa and lovingly directed by Mark-Brian Sonna. Through all of the comedy, the questions the play asks are those that both playwright and director obviously ask themselves, yet the play doesn’t beat the audience over the head. It entertains while asking us to think, which in my mind is the sign of a great play.

And in this production, Mr. Clements’ Adam is the main reason the comedy/philosophy combination works. He has the innocent look of a child in one scene and that of a much wiser adult in the next. He understands both comedy and that fine line of drama within comedy. He has a wonderful “Everyman” quality that you MUST have for the role of Adam – who was, after all, the original Everyman. So kudos to Mr. Sonna for his casting choice and to Mr. Clements for having the acting chops to pull it off.

MBS Productions does nothing but world premieres or new translations, which is a difficult mission statement to pull off, but they generally succeed. Of all of the MBS Productions I have seen, this is one of their best.

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Delights, or Love continues through June 14 at the Stone Cottage Theatre at the Addison Conference and Theatre Centre. Tickets: http://www.mbsproductions.net/. (Performance reviewed was Friday, May 29.)