Elon University’s winter play, “Paradise Lost,” explores the story of Adam and Eve from Satan’s perspective. 

The play is an adaptation of John Milton’s 1667 poem of the same name yet still remains “remarkably relevant,” according to freshman Carter Sindelar who plays Adam. With its theme of free will and interpretations of the characters, Sindelar said he hopes the production gets audience members to be intentional about their actions. 

“There's a lot of talk right now in the world about choices that people are making — whether it's politically or socially,” Sindelar said. “This will cause people to take a step back and realize that they've got free will, and they need to really think about how they're using it.”

Director and theater professor Susanne Shawyer said she was inspired by how the playwright, Erin Shields, updated and re-examined a classic tale — one that for some audience members is sacred, and for others it is a mythological story.

“So many people in the audience might already know how the story ends, but the fun is going to be how we're retelling that story,” Shawyer said. 

Sindelar said it can be easy for retellings to feel redundant, so it was important to the cast that they portrayed the characters “beyond” how people already knew them. 

“By crafting these experiences in our own way, and by creating our own versions of the characters — while still keeping the core of what they are — people are going to come in and get to see an entirely new character … they have not seen before, because they haven’t seen us do it,” Sindelar said. 

Shawyer said she approaches directing with a collaborative mindset, working with the students to explore different ways to portray the characters and settings. 

Junior Isabella Shaffer said this was her first time being in such a collaborative production. Shaffer, who plays Michael and Moloch, said the actors were able to pitch their ideas throughout the process, such as how different scenes were staged.

Senior Deborah Han plays Uriel and Mammon in the production and said the show’s layered messages about capitalism, patriarchy, agency and death create a dynamic and engaging story.

“It's a comedy, but it's also serious and talks about real issues,” Han said. “When you first watch it, you could be a little confused on things, but if you really think about what you just watched there's so much to get and gain from that.”

Han and her castmates have spent 13 days putting together the production. Sindelar said the rehearsal schedule has been “exhilarating.”

“I've never done a show where I've had to put it together so quickly,” Sindelar said. “It's like a roller coaster: It’s so quick, but it's a blast.”

There will be matinee performances at 2 p.m. Jan. 18, Jan. 19, Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. Evening performances of “Paradise Lost” will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Jan. 21 to 23, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Tickets can be reserved through the Elon Performing Arts website and are $15 or free with an Elon ID. All of the performances will be in Roberts Studio Theatre.