AUBURN — “In the beginning” may be the first words of the Bible, but it’s also the name of the closing song in “Children of Eden,” the big musical production opening on Community Little Theatre’s stage on Friday, Oct. 8.

This is a big, bold and bright musical that emphasizes family relationships and generational challenges with a fresh look at Old Testament stories.

Jonathan Carr, who directs the show, said the cast of 38 includes actors from the age of 7 to 70-something. They come from all over the L-A area.

The show is a retelling of the Book of Genesis and follows books of the Bible with themes about fatherhood and children. In the first act, it’s the story of Adam and Eve. The second act focuses on Noah and the Flood.

Stephen Schwatz is composer-lyricist of “Children of Eden.“ He also wrote the recent smash hit “Wicked, as well as “Godspell” and “Pippin.” Although “Children of Eden“ had only a brief run in London and never played on Broadway, it underwent revisions in America and its word-of-mouth popularity makes it a frequently performed musical by regional and community theaters.

Carr emphasized that “Children of Eden” is freely based on familiar Bible stories. God is called Father to emphasize the parallel with earthly fathers.

Richard Messana plays Father and Gregory Charette is Adam/Noah. Katie St. Pierre portrays Eve, Jason Hersom plays Cain and Andre Demers is Abel.

Other cast members are Tiffany Warren as Mama Noah, Alycia Hawley as Yonah, Andreas Wyder as Japeth, Ben Proctor as Shem, Stefanie Lynn as Aprah, Max Middleton as Ham, and Reinette Bryant as Aysha.

Storytellers include Tracy Kapocius, Ruthe Burke, Bruce Bickford, Irma Penn, Patty Vieta, Patrick Austin, Zack Fisher, Sabrina Fisher, Riley McCurdy, Hayden Thomas, Elias Thomas, Sophie Wood, Emily Burke, Kelcie Brown, Debby Mansur, Vicki D. Roy, Jacynthe Jacques, Gabriel Jacques, Emma Jacques, Laura Jacques, Jacob Weeks, Kristy Macomber and Nakesha Myrick.

Songs in Act I include “Let There Be,” “Tree of Knowledge,” “Father’s Day,” “Spark of Creation,” “Childhood’s End,” “Explusion,” “Lost in the Wilderness” and “A Ring of Stones.”

Carr noted that “A Ring of Stones,” suggests Stonehenge, a subject of modern archaeological interest rather than a biblical reference.

Act II begins with a rousing reggae/calypso number celebrating all the generations that have passed from Adam to Noah, where the story picks up with the building of the Ark and the arrival of the animals.

Among the songs in the second act are “Generations,” “Gathering Storm,” “Return of the Animals” (instrumental), “In Whatever Time We Have,” “What Is He Waiting For?” “Hardest Part of Love” and “Precious Children.”

There is lots of dancing and pageantry throughout “Children of Eden.”

Carr said audiences will particularly like the rendition of “Ain’t It Good?” by Tiffany Warren as Mama Noah.

“She has a big voice and it’s a big gospel number,” he said. “She can blow the roof off.”

“We had to decide how to represent all of the animals,” said Carr, who designed and helped build the set. He noted that it’s done differently in each act with some puppetry, some costuming and a variety of painted representations.

Mitchell Clyde Thomas is musical director and Danielle Sicotte is choreographer. The eight-piece orchestra is conducted by Paul Caron.

Producer Paul Bell is also handling costuming and is stage manager. Carr said Bell created about 100 costumes for the production.

Tammy Fisher is assistant director. The production crew also includes Christine Leach, co-costumer; Sue Finch, lighting design; Larry French, sound; Jake Spellman, lobby photos, Rachel Morin, publicity; Paul G. Caron and Norma Rice-Gould, rehearsal pianists.

Go and do

WHAT: “Children of Eden”

WHEN: Oct. 8-17

WHERE: Great Falls Arts Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn

TICKETS: Advance tickets, $16, may be reserved at the box office at 783-0958 or at www.laclt.com.

Rehearsing a scene from Community Little Theatre’s production of “Children of Eden” are, from left, Andreas Wyder, Stefanie Lynn , Alycia Hawley and Tracy Kapocius.