Hal Linden and Sally Struthers star in the world premiere of Ed. Weinberger's new play The Journals of Adam and Eve at California's Garry Marshall Theatre, beginning performances January 18 and officially opening January 19. The limited run will continue through January 21, with Ben Donenberg directing.

Inspired by the Biblical characters and the work of John Milton and Mark Twain, the new work follows the famous first couple, allowing them to tell their own story in their own words for the first time. Weinberger has spent much of his career writing for TV, co-creating Taxi and The Cosby Show and writing for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson, among others.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the story of Adam and Eve," said Weinberger in an earlier statement. "They’ve been blamed for so much: bringing into a previously perfect world Original Sin, pain in childbirth, and death. For centuries, various cultures—including our own—have used them to justify the right of men to rule over women. I thought it was about time for Adam and Eve to defend themselves. I tried putting them into a play, but that would mean actors naked on stage for two acts. And casting is hard enough as is."

“The Book of Genesis introduced Adam and Eve over 3,000 years ago, and as far as I know, the only writer since who explored their humanity was Mark Twain," he continued. "So if there’s a similarity between Twain’s couple and mine, it’s hardly coincidental. As far as Adam and Eve’s story being relevant in today’s America, I’ll leave that up to the audience to decide.”

The work is modeled on A.R. Gurney's Love Letters, with the script read by two actors from onstage scripts.

Tickets are available at GarryMarshallTheatre.org.