Heh. I hadn't realized Brandeis had cross-cast the role: that should have been fascinating. I think the dynamic would be very different with a Mother rather than a Father. If nothing else, our culture does not read a single father (which God essentially is: despite all the midrash, there's no Shekhinah in this musical) in the same way as a single mother. And much of the generational mirroring is keyed to gender: as God behaves toward Adam, so Adam behaves toward Cain and Abel and Noah toward his three sons. I wonder if the likenesses between God and Eve would be played up to even greater effect with a female God—another reflection; a mother-daughter bond that begins to break down at adolescence—and the cycle of paternal dysfunction somewhat less visible. Curious. I'm really sorry I didn't see this version now.
no subject
Heh. I hadn't realized Brandeis had cross-cast the role: that should have been fascinating. I think the dynamic would be very different with a Mother rather than a Father. If nothing else, our culture does not read a single father (which God essentially is: despite all the midrash, there's no Shekhinah in this musical) in the same way as a single mother. And much of the generational mirroring is keyed to gender: as God behaves toward Adam, so Adam behaves toward Cain and Abel and Noah toward his three sons. I wonder if the likenesses between God and Eve would be played up to even greater effect with a female God—another reflection; a mother-daughter bond that begins to break down at adolescence—and the cycle of paternal dysfunction somewhat less visible. Curious. I'm really sorry I didn't see this version now.