Characters
God
God is portrayed as the tallest and most commanding of the angels through the eyes of an elderly black preacher. Dressed in formal evening attire, His rich bass voice resonates with the dialect typical of the black characters in the narrative. He engages in human-like activities, such as attending fish fries and working in His office, where occasional human-like errors occur, like the overproduction of "firmament" needed for seasoning boiled custard. This overproduction leads to the creation of Earth, where He places Adam to enjoy and cultivate it. Initially depicted as a God of power, love, and wrath, He undergoes a transformation into a God of mercy through suffering, ultimately deciding to send Jesus to Earth. As the narrative unfolds, He interacts with angels and humanity, balancing His roles of authority, compassion, and familial guidance within the celestial and earthly realms.
Gabriel
Gabriel, God's principal assistant and second-in-command angel, is young, beardless, and grandly winged. He listens to God’s frustrations, particularly about human sinfulness, while standing perpetually ready with his trumpet, awaiting divine commands. Gabriel’s practicality balances God's idealism and passion, positioning him as an essential cog in the celestial hierarchy. His character underscores the tension between divine patience and human fallibility, offering a pragmatic counterpoint to the Almighty's grand designs.
Moses
Moses emerges from humble beginnings as a shepherd and fugitive from Egypt, living in seclusion in a mountain cave to escape prosecution for murder. Initially around forty years old, he ages considerably two scenes later. God resolves his stuttering, bolstering Moses's confidence. After witnessing a divine magic trick via a burning bush, Moses is instructed to replicate such wonders before Pharaoh to ensure the Hebrews' release. With his brother Aaron, Moses unleashes plagues on Egypt, leading his people to freedom. In his final act, Moses transfers leadership to Joshua, guiding them to the cusp of the Promised Land before departing to Heaven. His journey from reluctant leader to liberator showcases a profound transformation driven by divine intervention and personal resilience.
Noah
Noah, a preacher of righteousness, first encounters God in the guise of a fellow preacher before recognizing His divine identity. Initially dressed as a preacher and later as a steamboat captain, Noah heeds God's command to construct an ark. He lovingly gathers his family, pairs of every animal species, and a keg of liquor aboard. After weathering the deluge and finding solid ground, Noah seeks forgiveness from both God and his family for his drunkenness, embodying a tale of redemption and divine grace.
Pharaoh
Pharaoh, the tyrannical ruler of Egypt, is adorned with a crown and garments reminiscent of a high-ranking officer in a black lodge ritual. Harboring a deep-seated animosity towards the Hebrews, he stubbornly refuses to free them, employing magicians and wizards to oppress them. Yet, after enduring a series of devastating plagues, including the death of his son, Pharaoh is compelled to relent, allowing the Hebrews to escape his clutches. His character epitomizes tyranny, pride, and eventual capitulation in the face of divine might.
King of Babylon
The King of Babylon mirrors Pharaoh's tyranny, lavishly dressed in a diamond tiara and ermine cloak over formal wear. He enslaves the Jews, exploiting his power to buy favors and influence, even bribing the Hebrew High Priest to seek divine forgiveness for murdering a Hebrew prophet. His reign highlights the destructive nature of unchecked power and moral corruption.
Cain
Cain, depicted as a robust young field laborer, infamously kills his brother Abel. Instructed by God to leave and marry, he chooses a partner that displeases God. Cain’s narrative illustrates the primal act of fratricide and sets...
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a precedent for humanity's recurrent transgressions, speaking to the enduring legacy of jealousy and defiance.
Cain’s Girl
Cain’s girl, strikingly pretty and flamboyantly dressed, resides in Nod Parrish. Declaring herself as Cain's partner, she embodies the continuation of moral decline, welcoming Cain with open arms into a life of further sin and estrangement from divine favor.
Zeba
Zeba, a flamboyant and defiant young prostitute, is the great-granddaughter of Seth and the lover of both Cain the Sixth and Flatfoot. Her flippant attitude towards God and deceit towards Cain the Sixth underscore her rebellious spirit. Alongside Flatfoot, she derides Noah for building the ark, symbolizing the depths to which humanity has sunk since Adam's creation.
Cain the Sixth
Cain the Sixth is a brash and egotistical young man, renowned for his flashy attire and quick temper. Driven by jealousy, he murders Flatfoot over Zeba, perpetuating the lineage of sin initiated by the original Cain. His presence at Noah’s ark, amidst gamblers, further exemplifies the ongoing moral decay.
Aaron
Aaron, Moses's slightly older and taller brother, plays an integral role in the Hebrews’ liberation. As a young man, he accompanies Moses to perform divine "tricks" on Pharaoh, aiding in their people's journey to the Promised Land. In his later years, Aaron takes responsibility for the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the continuity of leadership and faith within the nascent Hebrew nation.
Hezdrel
Hezdrel, introduced as a Hebrew soldier in the latter days of the Old Testament, is portrayed by the same actor who plays Adam earlier in the narrative. Hezdrel stands courageously in battle, fueled by his unwavering faith in the God of Hosea, known for mercy through suffering. His spiritual revelation heralds the play's climax and resolution, representing the enduring power of faith amidst adversity.
Adam
Adam, the inaugural human creation, is a muscular man of medium height, clad in attire befitting a field hand. Engaging directly with God, he accepts Eve as his wife but succumbs to temptation by eating from the forbidden tree of knowledge. This act leads to his expulsion from Eden, marking humanity’s initial departure from divine grace. Referred to as a "family man," Adam’s story culminates in the birth of his sons, Cain and Abel, setting the stage for further human narratives.
Joshua
Joshua, a strikingly handsome scout for the Hebrews, is entrusted by Moses to lead the army into Canaan, ultimately capturing the city of Jericho. His strategic acumen and leadership are pivotal to the Hebrews’ successful entry into their Promised Land, exemplifying the virtues of bravery and determination.
Archangel
The Archangel, senior to Gabriel, is distinguished by his white beard, darker clothing, and expansive wings. As the principal angelic figure next to Gabriel, he oversees duties such as distributing Sunday School cards and orchestrating the choir, reflecting a celestial order grounded in tradition and esteemed service.
Noah’s Wife
Noah’s wife, an elderly black woman, embodies the ideals of a virtuous spouse. Her simple and neat attire complements her role as a polite, hospitable, and supportive wife and mother, reinforcing the value of steadfast familial dedication.
Shem, Ham, and Japheth
Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Noah's loyal sons, diligently assist in the loading and navigating of the ark during the flood. Their unwavering faithfulness and teamwork are crucial to the survival of their family and the animal kingdom.
Zipporah
Zipporah, Moses's younger wife, is modestly dressed and represents a positive marital relationship. Her dialogues with Moses provide essential exposition, highlighting her role as a supportive partner and integral part of Moses' personal and spiritual journey.
Flatfoot
Flatfoot, a tall, menacing former drug dealer, is involved romantically with Zeba. His death near Noah’s ark is met without regret, underscoring his nefarious reputation and reflecting societal disdain for his moral depravity.
Prophet
The Prophet, a ragged patriarchal figure, denounces the sins of the Babylonians and Hebrews alike. Preaching repentance, his life ends tragically by the king’s orders, symbolizing the peril faced by those challenging corrupt power structures.
High Priest
The High Priest, an indulgent figure draped in elaborate robes, is complicit in Babylonian corruption. After being denounced by the Prophet, he accepts a bribe to pray for divine forgiveness for the prophet's murder, depicting a morality compromised by personal gain.
Mr. Deshee
Mr. Deshee, an elderly preacher from Louisiana, serves as the narrative's framing device. Through his Bible lessons, he imparts an interpretation of the Old Testament that forms the foundation of the play. His teachings introduce the unfolding biblical stories, linking past and present in a continuous moral discourse.
Eve
Eve, created to complete Adam's family, is a twenty-six-year-old woman of notable beauty, dressed like a country girl. Her act of consuming the forbidden fruit leads to her expulsion from Eden alongside Adam, signifying humanity's original sin. As the mother of Cain and Abel, she embodies the dual role of nurturer and participant in the unfolding human saga.
Head Magician
The Head Magician, Pharaoh’s sinister aide, is garbed in a robe adorned with mystical symbols and zodiacal signs. His malevolent machinations against the Hebrews underscore the dark arts employed in Pharaoh's oppressive regime, reflecting the use of fear and superstition as tools of control.
Master of Ceremonies
The Master of Ceremonies, a counterpart to the Head Magician, facilitates the king of Babylon's corrupt entertainments within his "nightclub." His role mirrors the pervasive decadence and manipulation in the Babylonian court, illustrating the societal decay accompanying unchecked power and moral laxity.
