GORHAM – Performances of the musical “Children of Eden” will be presented at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at the University of Southern Maine School of Music Corthell Concert Hall. Not well known because the show has not yet been produced commercially on Broadway, the “Children of Eden” has had a successful life in regional, stock and community theaters over the past 10 years.

A full orchestra of 12 musicians will perform the music and lyrics written by Stephen Schwartz (with book by John Caird). Directed by Edward Reichert, the show features musical theater students performing the score, which is a mix of pop, folk, rock, reggae, gospel and Broadway tunes.

The book is based loosely on Old Testament stories, including the creation of the world, Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the conflict between Cain and Abel, and Noah and his family’s survival of the great flood.

The show may be based on well-known Bible tales, but the themes addressed are universal. The story is a funny, moving and honest portrayal of how these well-known families deal with children, growing up, accepting responsibility, and learning that parents aren’t always perfect.

Performers include Anthony Teixeira, Sandwich, Mass., as “The Father”; Nick MacDonald, New Hampton, N.H., as Ham; Stephen Trumble, Gray, as Japheth; Sara Beth Johnson-Berz, Limestone, as Yonah; Rosie Schoneberg, Limington, as Young Eve and a storyteller; Derrick Jaques, Windham, as Old Adam; and Jared Poulin, Waterville, as Young Adam.

Also, Ashleigh St. Pierre, Brunswick, as a storyteller; Hallie Parmenter, Woburn, Mass., as a storyteller; Michelle Sawyer, Windham, as a snake and Aysha; Casey Pratt, Greene, as a storyteller; Alexis Handy, Lewiston, as a storyteller and a snake; and Alexandra Dietrich, Freeport, as Old Eve and a snake.

Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. For reservations call the Music Box Office at 780-5555.