Children of the Sun Grabs Audiences and Holds Tight Until the Very End

-Brenda Hillegas
photo by Wide Eyed Studios

Philadelphia Artist Collective mission is to create productions that challenge the expectations of classical theatre. Their latest season wraps with the powerful Children of the Sun, written by Maxim Gorky in 1905 while he was briefly imprisoned during the 1905 Russian Revolution. The story, adapted by Australian playwright Andrew Upton and directed here by Megan Bellwoar, follows scientist Pavel (Newton Buchanan) and the privileged family and friends who rotate through his household. Though written over a century ago, Children of the Sun certainly aligns with PAC’s mission. It’s a classic work, set just before the cholera epidemic, but still so very relevant today.

Pavel’s scientific experiments – in hopes of a better world- leave him oblivious to so much of his surroundings, including the people inside his own home. With his work being his only focus, he isn’t aware of his wife’s needs (played by Jessica DalCanton), his sister’s illness (played by Cassandra Alexander), the people who have fallen in love with them while he’s wrapped up in his lab, and the fear building up in the outside world. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as the tension can’t be contained.

This outstanding cast never misses a beat and also includes Damon Bonetti, Madeleine Claire Garcia, Eli Lynn, Bob Weick, Peggy Smith, Eric Mills, Frank Jimenez and Kelsey Hébert. They tell the story in a way that feels like you’re binging a mini series that you can’t stop watching. Just one more episode. You need to see how it ends. The intimate setting of The Bluver Theatre at The Drake grabs the audience and pulls them into the thick of the action. Characters take up space alongside of us, in aisles, right at our feet, demanding our attention and not letting go until the very end when you’ll leave wide eyed and shaken. Children of the Sun reminds us to look around at our world, step out of our own safe spaces, and see how we can help be a part of a bigger challenge. This is a story that will hopefully be told again and again at more theatres in future seasons.

Until then, see it now through May 19th. Tickets and info here.