2026
Sep 5 @ 2:00pm
Performances:
Sep. 4, 5
Shows start at 7:30 PM
Matinee:
Saturday, September 5th @ 2:00pm
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The Story:
This is a free show! You can reserve tickets at no cost.
Adam and Eve Do Readers Theatre is an amusing and whimsical imagining of the relationship between Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, before,and after “the Fall,” directed by Jan Coloccia, who adapted the show from two short stories written by Mark Twain. It is preceded by an interesting introduction of Mark Twain’s life, including some of his most famous quotes.
Director’s Notes
“I like a good story, well told.That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”—
Mark Twain
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), “one of the greatest humorists the United States has
produced,” was funny, sarcastic, morose, and biting; his books, short stories, and essays
are still popular today–along with many of his famous quotes!
I love words! There is no better master of them than Twain. Most of us are familiar with
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, but toward the end of his life, Twain wrote two short
stories: “Extracts From Adam’s Diary,” in 1904, and “Eve’s Diary,” in 1906. They were both
written in the form of monologues.
I was intrigued, as an actress, with what these monologues might sound like as a dialogue
between Adam and Eve, to portray Twain’s humorous imagining of each of them, when
their viewpoints were combined. Adapting the two stories was a challenge, simply because
the narratives did not match up! Instead, I discovered something different–side by side
diary entries, presented as a conversation with the audience!
I hope you enjoy this show as much as we enjoy performing it!
Jan Coloccia
Director
About Jan Coloccia:
Jan has extensive experience in community theatre, writing, acting, and directing. She has operated a repertory theatre group, and served in a non-profit children’s theatre company. This is her fifth full-length production at Theatre West; she was seen in last season’s Angel Street, and Arsenic and Old Lace.