Synetic Theater’s latest production, “Genesis Reboot,” sets out to deal with the biblical story of Genesis in a new way. It’s not just a retelling, but a completely novel reimagining.
Director Ben Cunis uses a script he co-wrote with his brother Peter. It starts with a good Angel (Mary Werntz) explaining what happened “in the beginning” and imagining a better beginning. This time she wants things to go differently: There will be no snake, no apple, only light, not darkness.
All goes well until the unruly Demon (Joseph Carlson) muscles his way back into the Garden of Eden. With spiky hair and motorcycle boots, Carlson is outrageously entertaining as this creature who won’t stop creating havoc, upsetting all the good the Angel tries to do.
| Onstage |
| ‘Genesis Reboot’ |
| Where: Synetic Theater, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington |
| When: Through March 4 |
| Info: $30 to $55; 800-494-8497; synetictheater.org |
The other characters in the production include Adam (Austin Johnson) and Eve (Brynn Tucker), Cain (Matthew Ward) and Abel (Jefferson Farber). The Adam/Eve story is nicely re-engineered by the authors, making Adam into something of a geek. Johnson is entertaining as the naturalist Adam, intent on naming everything he sees. Tucker is delightful as the sensitive, inquisitive Eve, who is as curious as Adam is to understand her surroundings, to explore the world.
The Cain/Abel story is told in a particularly refreshing way. The brothers are in prison. All they have are their cots and school desks. As they spin out the story of their lives, a lot of backstory missing in the Bible is provided, creating a tight little drama about loneliness and hopelessness that could almost stand alone.
Daniel Pinha’s set is a massive metal structure in the center of the stage, a “tree” built of odd-shaped tubes and gauges and dials, with work lights hung from its “branches.” Characters climb up and down the tree; apples fall from its limbs; at its trunk is the underworld.
Irina Tsikurishvili’s choreography is seamless and intelligent, giving meaning to the script’s events: in a moment when Eve must decide whether to eat the apple, for instance, Tsikurishvili creates a tortured ballet between Eve and four masked figures.
The elements that go into creating a well-balanced production are all present in “Genesis Reboot,” from Kristy Hall’s whimsical costumes to Clint Herring’s evocative music and sound design to Andrew Griffin’s stunning lighting design.
“Genesis Reboot” is a large step away from Synetic’s famed silent Shakespeare, but in terms of its imagination, humor and rigorous control, it should be considered a different kind of Synetic classic.
