An original musical, Escaping Eden, will premier next Friday and Saturday at the University of Hartford. The book, music, and lyrics of the musical were written by Dawson Atkin as a part of their Senior Honors Thesis. The show was inspired by Atkin’s religious upbringing and identity as a genderqueer person. Escaping Eden explores themes of gender, free will, and unquestioned faith by reimagining the biblical story of Adam and Eve told from Eve’s perspective.
The show will be directed by Omar Sandakly, a Hartt alumnus, and performed by Hartt Musical Theatre majors from around the country. This will mark Sandakly’s directorial debut, who had the following to say about the musical, “I’ve always admired Dawson’s drive to consistently put out insightful, personal works of various styles and genres. Getting the chance to premiere a musical alongside our wonderful cast and creative team is something I’m ecstatic to be a part of.” Dawson Atkin was also selected to present on the show at the Northeast Regional Honors Conference in Philadelphia.
Escaping Eden will be performed on April 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Auerbach Auditorium. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved. To reserve seats, visit tinyurl.com/escapingeden. For more information, contact Dawson Atkin at [email protected].