Below are comments from visitors to the site relating to the study materials and information on our show. Thanks to those who have contributed. If you want to submit any comments use the forms provided on the study pages to let us know what you think.

Thoughts from a Cain - Tommy

I am writing this short response during a week off from a production of Eden in which I am portraying Cain. The questions you offer are some of the most insightful I've seen... playing this character has proven challenging in the fact that the audience knows from the start what his destiny is. However, his dialogue and lyrics express the power of his age.. at 17, faith, love, and anger are all intense; indeed beyond control. Cain is a walking paradox; doubtful, then overcome with faith, then back to where he started: Indeed "All I know about you is you left us here." The impact that that simple line has on each and every audience member is strong; indeed, what else do we know of God, other than that with which we are surrounded? Cain's age and passion are not uncommon, and I feel that every person especially at 17 had strong thoughts and feelings. Cain is everyone of us.

Response to 'Beyond' study from Meagan

I have performed the role of Yonah in the play, Children of Eden, and have studied theories and such extensively. It was mentioned on this site that Cain, Japheth and Yonah all three choose to 'break away' from God's plan, and explore what is beyond. As far as the character of Yonah is concerned, I would like to disagree. As a member of the race of Cain, Yonah is only trying to follow God's will, which she clearly states in her song, "Stranger to the Rain." She accepts her destiny to die because of God's wrath, regardless of her love for Japheth. It is only when Japheth convinces her to hide away in the ark that she agrees to stay. And in the first act, it is only when Eve convinces Adam to eat the apple, and live with her that he does disobey his Father. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that there are two kinds of people the play is dealing with: those who will follow God's will without question but can be swayed also by those who they love (Adam, Yonah), and those who will question God and search for something beyond what they are given (Eve, Japheth). And notice how the ones who question God, and who yearn to go 'beyond', as Eve puts it in the first act, are the ones who's love is the strongest. Adam's love and devotion for Eve was obviously stronger than his devotion to his Father, or he would have chosen to stay in the garden. And Yonah's love for Japheth obviously weakened her enough to sway away from God's plan for her to die in the flood. Through the course of the play, God realized that he must allow his children to be who they will be, instead of trying to suppress them, and force them to stay safe in his garden forever. Yes, we look to God as the ruler of all kingdoms on earth, the most powerful, all knowing, and holy spirit, but when God created Adam and Eve, they were his first children. As much as they were learning about being children, he was learning about being a father, and no one is perfect as a beginner. That is why as time went on, God has become even more great and powerful. He has more experience. And I believe that is what the play Children of Eden is about. It is about everyone learning to live together, learning to raise a child, learning to let go, and learning to love. How simple is that?