'Lilith' spun off biblical myth

It is not a typical Theatre Arts production, but it won't take an exile from the Garden of Eden to appreciate Lilith. Lilith, a play written by College senior and former Daily Pennsylvanian columnist Jennie Rosenbaum, was inspired by the Jewish folk story about Adam's first wife, Lilith. Rosenbaum, who wrote the play for her playwriting honors thesis, is also the assistant director of the play. According to the myth which inspired the play, Lilith was expelled from Eden to the demon world because she "wanted to be on top." The play thrusts Lilith, played by College sophomore Leah Klerr, into the modern world. She interacts with Martin, played by College sophomore Robert Raphael, a gay teenager who cannot come out of the closet. Lilith has the two characters coming to terms with their identities and positions in life in order "to explore how different the demon world and human world is," Rosenbaum said. Wharton freshman Scott Friedberg, who plays Adam, credited Rosenbaum with putting a new spin on an old myth. "It takes the story that everyone is pretty familiar with and gives it a whole new twist," said Friedberg. "There is a bit of irony and parallelism as the audience finds the Garden of Eden is not paradise." Theatre Arts Production Supervisor and show Director Chris Hariasz believes the play has something for everyone. "I think it's a play about all sexual identities and all personalities," said Hariasz. "It's a lot of fun and it will appeal to a lot of people." College sophomore Corinne Ferraro, who plays a bisexual demon in the play, echoed Hariasz's sentiment. "Our director says this show is so sexy, there will be semen all over the floor," Feraro said. Hariasz stressed that the play addresses issues which are easily identifiable to University students. "Martin's problems are the problems many of the students are struggling with," said Hariasz. "It's about the freedom to choose who you want to be." He added that the makeup of the cast will allow the play to reach the audience more effectively. "The cast is very diversified," Hariasz said. "It helps to open themselves up and accept differences in other people." Lilith will be performed in the Annenberg Center Studio Theatre tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are five dollars and are available on Locust Walk and at the Annenberg Center box office.