What I liked
Great use of props. The puppetry was funny. Excellent lighting design. All of the actors were fantastic, but I will again commend Laurel Preston’s Eve. She has crafted a beautiful performance which takes archetypal Eve off her biblical pedestal and makes the first woman a the girl we can all relate to. Paired with Robinson’s writing, she’s absolutely brilliant.
What I didn't like
I have a feeling this is just “preview funk”, but I think the actors could pick up cues, especially in the first few scenes. Keeping the pace moving will make the pauses in the later dramatic scenes feel more earned. It will also help the comedic timing and add to the childlike energy in the beginning. Overall, the acting was fantastic and I felt like I had plenty to watch even in slower moments.
My overall impression
Imaginative, heartfelt, and original, Kylee Q Robinson’s “In The Beginning” offers a modern and relatable take on the Garden of Eden (and centuries after) that blends humor and existential debate in an enjoyable production that knows just when to take itself seriously and when to let the audience laugh. Featuring a standout performance from Laurel Preston as Eve, the actors are beautifully connected to the script physically and emotionally. You will fall in love with this version of the first people and their Creator.
