It always takes nerve to put a new adaptive spin on an old,
well-known tale, but to take one of the oldest tales out there
- the Biblical creation story of Adam and Eve – and re-mix
it into a Warchowski Brothers-style sci-fi action adventure
complete with sex and violence, takes some serious edge. In
director Robert Cohen’s fantastically-realized production
by the Transversal Theater, Bryan Reynolds’ “Eve’s
Rapture” takes one permutation of an idea hinted at in
the Old Testament and turns it completely inside out.
. . . This is definitely not one you’ll take your Sunday
school class to, but with the provocative way in which Reynolds
re-engineers the cosmos, you’ll most assuredly leave with
a few new ideas in your head.
Having been lulled into a false confidence that I knew exactly
where this show was heading, I was delightedly surprised by
the unexpected plot developments following the seduction of
Eve.
And what an Eve! Played by Kendra Smith, this is certainly not
the Eve from the Bible. This Eve kicks ass!
. . . I fell in love with the characters of Eve and Satan, and
I found the philosophical issues raised intriguing and provocative.
It’s always bothered me that a God so allegedly “perfect”
should be the source of beauty, but also ugliness; purity, as
well as sin. Why would He create Lucifer when He already foresaw
the inevitable betrayal? “Eve’s Rapture” attempts
to answer this question, in a tone of religious irreverence
that is sure to delight more open-minded audiences . . .
LA Weekly:
“EVE'S RAPTURE: GO!”
[highest rating]
The end of innocence comes after Satan personally tempts her
to bite the apple, then fucks her wildly - leaving them both
wowed by their unexpected erotic rapport. Their intercourse
marks the beginning of Eve's total transformation; whereas Adam
develops the doldrums, and worse. By play's end, Eve's one gal
you surely wouldn't want to mix it up with. Part parable, part
comic strip fable, part action drama, the play speaks powerfully
to the unseen forces and symbols which dominate our lives.
. . . As the prime mover of the action, Marshall's performance
is one of understated mastery. As his wife/daughter Sin, Sage
Howard sizzles. Robert Cohen directs.
Boy
About Town:
“EVE'S RAPTURE STEALS REYNA'S HEART”
Out in Hollywood our own Kid About Town (Reyna) has been busy
checking out the theater scene and has stumbled across a production
that screams HIT!!! Eve's Rapture is in Kid About Town's opinion
one of her all time favorite plays.
. . . The writing is nothing short of top notch & the acting
is a tour de force! God's creations run amok!! . . . Robert
Cohen directs what could have been a convoluted story into a
masterpiece of ironies. The twist & turns begin when darling
Eve basically goes Tomb Raider & starts a chain reaction
in the wonderful world God has given us. . . . The amazing Bryan
Reynolds sat down to write and this action comedy of epic proportions
came tumbling out!
If you are deeply religious bring your bible & holy water
(although I doubt you would be on Boy's Buzz reading this review
to begin with!) Kid About Town gives this off the wall showcase
her unwavering, twisted approval!
Backstage:
“EVE'S RAPTURE”
. . . Luke Cantarella’s sci-fi–meets-goth setting,
all very video-game delicious (costumes by Christa Mathis).
Kendra Smith is a lovely, lanky Eve, looking to mix it up with
her placid partner (Ryan Patrick Welsh) in the garden but finding
snakes are much more up her alley. Chris Marshall is a pretty
hot Satan, so who can really blame her? The solid Martin Swoverland
and Helen Sage Howard do super turns as armed archangels and
the devil’s deadly minions.
A&U Magazine:
“EVE'S RAPTURE”
A surprising twist on an ancient tale with a talented cast,
spirited direction, and an imaginative set.
Great entertainment for believers and non-believers!
Showmag.com:
“EVE'S RAPTURE”
Under Robert Cohen's steady direction, "Eve's Rapture"
is as polarizing and inflected as the second word of its title.
Set in The Garden of Eden (circa, The Beginning of Time), the
fable of humanity's first coupling is here staged as a love
story (sweet); an action-adventure (harrowing); and, an extended
existential epiphany (stimulating).
The cast of five -- Kendra Smith is fluid and mesmerizing as
Eve; Ryan Patrick Welch is tender and visceral as Adam--carry
the complexities of "Rapture" with commitment and
élan. In fact, this troupe of actors makes the show their
own. It's their netherworld; they are at its center -- and,
with unanimously high-caliber performances, they earn their
keep. Chris Marshall as Satan, for example, makes for a devilishly
entertaining Prince of Darkness. . . . Martin Swoverland, effectively
switching between booming Beelzebub and soothing Archangel Michael
-- and, in three roles, the impressive Helen Sage Howard, as
Sin, Mary Magdalene, and Uriel. . . .
This Transversal Theater Production of "Eve's Rapture"
makes for a challenging and wickedly erotic two-hours. If you
can embrace the notion of first-woman Eve personified as Laura
Croft, Tomb Raider and don't mind some sassy, sexy sacrilege
this show's for you. But it's not for children.
