Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Carole Mikita reportingIt's a musical first! Two creative Utahns have taken their production about Noah and the animals to New York City.
After 19 years, a dream has come true. "The Ark", which began at Promised Valley Playhouse with after school performances, is now a legitimate production in theatre Mecca New York City, with radical rewriting, new songs and staging.
The two guys who conceived of a musical Noah's Ark with the audience as the animals are both amazed and grateful.
Michael McLean, composer, lyrics, book 'The Ark': "To think that that show could grow to where it's here in New York City. No, you kind of can't process it completely. It's pretty thrilling."
Kevin Kelly, book & lyrics, "The Ark": "It's like the best of Michael and the best of me have come together and been realized, which is really gratifying."
The show, they say, is ultimately about the people on the ark, coming together.
Michael McLean: "My fear is you'd come to New York and they'd say, 'Oh my gosh, you want to do a show about hope and family and redemption and reconciliation? Yeh, yeh, yeh.' But these people, they go, 'Time for this show. Like big time.'"
"The Ark" has its first preview performance after eight days of torrential downpour in the city, with more than 12 and a half inches of rain, so far.
Timing, the actors say, in this case, not just a nor'easter but natural disasters might bring audiences.
Annie Golden, Eliza, "The Ark": "The world really needs it now. You know, to be a family in crisis and for people to see that they come out into the light after the storm."
Adrian Zmed, Noah, 'The Ark": "It's normal people doing great things. As in many catastrophic things, normal people do great things."
Critics reviews are mixed, calling it everything from clever to too simple. But they like the set and voices of the cast. The preview audience was enthusiastic.
Roseann Pizzo, Long Island, N.Y. resident: "Best off-Broadway show I've ever seen. I can say it was really great."
Karen Chin, Brooklyn, N.Y. resident: "The singing was fabulous. The acting great. I loved it."
"The Ark" is playing off-Broadway on New York's 37th Street. For more about the show, check the link above.
