By Sam Desmond |
A timeless story of Biblical proportions is coming to Long Island.
“The Prince of Egypt” will open Thursday, April 16 at the Argyle Theatre in Babylon, marking the musical’s highly anticipated Long Island debut.
Co-directors Evan Pappas and Todd L. Underwood recently spoke with Greater Long Island about bringing the epic story to the stage while preserving its emotional depth.
“The Prince of Egypt,” a Stephen Schwartz musical based on the 1998 animated Disney film, first premiered in 2017 at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in Mountain View, California. The show later ran in London’s West End in 2020.
The story follows Moses, a Hebrew child saved from death and raised as Egyptian royalty alongside Ramses. The two grow up as brothers, but are ultimately pulled to opposite sides of a growing conflict — testing their bond, faith and identity.
“There is a real following for the movie,” Pappas said. “People of all backgrounds connect with the story. Many of the cast members were deeply impacted by it, so we understood the responsibility of honoring it.”
Underwood noted the shift from screen to stage presents unique challenges.
“The animated version has a wide cinematic scope, while the stage version is much more immersive,” he said. “We have to tell that same story live, which means quick transitions and strong visual storytelling.”
To achieve that, the creative team leaned into a more minimalist approach.
“It is quite a feat,” Underwood said. “The choreography and physical storytelling are incredibly detailed, but we want it to feel seamless and never overwhelming.”
Pappas added that their collaborative process helps bring that vision to life.
“We’ve worked together for years. There’s no ego — we build everything together and focus on what’s best for the story.”
While rooted in religious themes, both directors emphasized that the production centers on faith and human connection.
“This is really a story about faith more than religion,” Underwood said. “It’s about people believing they will be saved, even when that faith is tested.”
“Faith can bring you to the other side,” Pappas added. “At its core, it’s about unconditional love between two brothers navigating very different paths.”
Jeffery Walker III, who plays Moses, said the character’s journey is driven by purpose.
“In act one, he’s curious and driven, but as the story unfolds, he becomes more hesitant as he grapples with the weight of his responsibility,” he said.
Christian Fuentes Atherton, who plays Ramses, said his character balances leadership with personal conflict.
“He wants to make his father proud and be a strong pharaoh, but also remain a good brother to Moses,” he said. “That tension shapes everything.”
“The Prince of Egypt” will run at the Argyle Theatre through June 7.
Tickets
For tickets, visit the Argyle Theatre website.
Top: Cast of the “The Prince of Egypt”
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