“Noah” reviewed by Frank Meccia

[rating=5]How do you present one of the greatest stories in the Torah, the telling of the great flood and Noah’s Arc. This original play/musical is the story of how eight people that God chose to carry on the human race had to live on this Arc with over 70,000 species of animals for 375 days. Most of us who have read the Old Testament remember it rained for 40 days, the Arc stayed a drift for 150 days and after 375 days the land was dry enough for the animals and humans to leave and repopulate the earth. Scientist have proven from both Columbia University and the University of Leicester. UK that a great flood did happen in the Black Sea area 7000 years ago, with a force 200 times that of Niagara Falls.

Director/Writer Reba Hervas brings to life this amazing story. The first play in 2021 to the Chicagoland area, a play of Hope and Redemption, something the world really needs right now. Following all COVID-19 protocols and limiting tickets to 50 per show, she has provided a safe and comfortable environment for this 2 ½ hour show.

When waking in your eyes are on this enormous set, this Arc is the entire stage and stretches outwards into the audience, a special thanks to the Technical Director and Scenic Designer, Yohannan Lee and Michael Larson for an outstanding job, instead of using Styrofoam and simple props they actually brought in truck loads of wood and timber and poles from Minnesota to build this Arc that took over 1300 hours and 3 months to build.

You can tell the work that went into this production, from the musical scores, costume design and Choreography, a production well worth the drive. BTW the theatre is only a 30-minute drive from Chicago and the northern burbs.

But the heart of the show is the eight fantastic actors. Noah played by seasoned New York actor Matthew Hallstein did an excellent job, with a great singing voice, his sons played by Peter Mauriello Brad Wendt and Brad Holloman really drove the struggle of young married couples living on a boat and dealing with their internal struggles of believing their father that a flood would come and spending 75 years to build this boat. All three have great talent and wonderful singing voices. The three wives played by Tara Kaufman, Megan Schier and Jessica Means, were outstanding, there singing was right on and powerful, word is they helped write the songs that were used in the play.

The entire production is top notch, and worth going to. This show definitely deserves the 5/5 star rating.
Tickets can be bought on-line at, www.overshadowed.org or by calling 630-634-2100.

Ticket prices range from $16 – $22 dollars and will be playing till April 3rd with a possible extension since the majority of the show has been sold out.

I was told to call even on sold out days because of cancellations could result in open seats!

The theater is location in Medinah is at 900 Foster Avenue.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Noah”.