In part four of a series of interviews with the cast of Damascus Theatre Company’s Children of Eden, meet Kevin James Logan.
Joel: Where have local theatergoers seen you perform before on our local stages? What roles have you played?
Kevin: Most recently theatre goers could have seen me Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre’s production of The Producers as Carmen Ghia. I have also performed with Silhouette Stages, Rockville Musical Theatre, Dundalk Community Theatre, Cockpit in Court, Phoenix Festival Theatre, Liberty ShowCase Theatre, Morgan State University, Howard Community College, and September Song Community Theatre. Some of my favorite roles include Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Younger Brother in Ragtime, Professor Bhaer in Little Women the Musical, and John Truitt in Meet Me in St. Louis to name a few.
Who do you play in Children of Eden, and how are you and your character alike and different?
I play Adam and Noah. Adam is very innocent and optimistic and so am I. Noah is pragmatic like me. Friends tell me I’m more assertive than Adam or Noah.
What is Children of Eden about from your character’s point of view?
From both Adam and Noah perspectives, Children of Eden is about being a good husband and father to their families while also being a faith son to their Father and Creator at the same time. This internal struggle runs throughout the show.
How did you prepare for your role, and what challenges did you face when preparing for your role?
Preparing for the roles of Adam and Noah came easier than I expected in regards to character development. During the course of the rehearsal process, I was also taking class to be confirmed into the Episcopal Church. It helped me truly identify the devotion and struggles Adam and Noah experience in this show. Cheryl J. Campo who plays Eve/Mama Noah, has truly been a treasure. In addition to carpooling to rehearsal, we met weekly, if not more, to go over lines and music. This definitely helped build our relationship on and off the stage. The biggest challenge I found was memorizing the lines. There is a lot of one word line interjecting between characters which makes it harder to learn.
How did Director Keith Tittermary help you with your challenges and what is the best advice he gave you about playing your role?
I cannot say enough great things about Keith. We’ve known each other for over six years. I truly enjoy his style of directing. Very laid back and doesn’t show his stress to his actors. He has let all of us discover our own way to the characters we play. Whenever there has been a point where he didn’t agree with a character choice I made, he would explain why and give ideas to play it differently.
How would you describe Stephen Schwartz’s score for The Children of Eden?
Powerful. The music of Children of Eden is deep. There are so many wonderful messages of love and forgiveness in this score. That is reaffirmed by the intertwining melodies and themes that flow throughout the entire show.
How would you describe a Stephen Schwartz song?
The word Thoughtful comes to mind. Stephen Schwartz is a rarity. He is both a brilliant composer and lyricist. Which adds another level to his music.
Which song that you don’t sing is your favorite and why?
Well, I have to say “Stranger in the Rain.” It has a beautiful melody and gives the background of Yonah in just about 3 minutes. Brilliantly written piece.
What do we learn about your character when you are singing your solos or duets?
Whenever Adam or Noah sing they are truly asking for guidance to do the right thing and to be a better person. They both have an internal struggle.
Why and how is Children of Eden so relevant to today‘s audiences?
The show is ultimately about forgiveness and love even through the worst of times which is definitely relevant today as it was at the beginning of time
There are over 30 cast members in this cast. What have rehearsals been like?
Rehearsals have been fun and erratic. Lots of laughter.
What has impressed you most about your fellow cast members and their performances?
The commitment and drive they bring to each of their characters and how they’ve grown with each performance.
What have you learned most about yourself-the actor-while going through this Children of Eden `experience?
I have learned that I’m much stronger of an actor than I give myself credit for. My recent church confirmation reaffirmed this and firmly cemented my faith.
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing you perform in Children of Eden?
I think the take away is that there is still goodness in the world and we should still approach life with love, kindness and compassion.
Children of Eden plays through November 20, 2016, at Damascus Theatre Company performing at Olney Theatre Center – 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, in Olney, MD. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online.
LINKS:
Meet the Cast of Damascus Theatre Company’s ‘Children of Eden.’ Part 1: Cheryl J. Campo by Joel Markowitz.
Meet the Cast of ‘Children of Eden’ at Damascus Theatre Company. Part 2: Kevin Sockwell by Joel Markowitz.
Meet the Cast of Damascus Theatre Company’s ‘Children of Eden’: Part 3: Kendall Sigman by Joel Markowitz.
‘Children of Eden’ at Damascus Theatre Company reviewed by Paul M. Bessel And Barbara Braswell on DCMetroTheaterArts.
