The Creation of the World and Other Business is a play by Arthur Miller.
A parable inspired by the Book of Genesis in the Bible, it explores the classic theme of good versus evil by way of a comedic retelling of the story of the creation of man (and woman). Miller's God is powerful but lacks wisdom. He needs Adam and Eve to procreate, but doesn't know how to entice them into starting the process. Onto the scene comes Lucifer, who believes the existence of evil will make sex exciting, a concept God eschews by tossing his black sheep angel into hell. The fallen one retaliates by presenting Eve with an apple - and the war begins.
Miller's first work since The Price five years earlier, Creation stumbled along during rehearsals. Original director Harold Clurman and most of the cast, including Barbara Harris and Hal Holbrook, were replaced, and the playwright rewrote most of what was material possibly better suited for Neil Simon than the man responsible for dramatic classics like Death of a Salesman.
After 21 previews, the Broadway production, directed by Gerald Freedman, opened on November 30, 1972 at the Shubert Theatre, where it ran for 20 performances. The cast included Stephen Elliott as God, Bob Dishy as Adam, Zoe Caldwell as Eve, George Grizzard as Lucifer, and Mark Lamos as Abel.
Undaunted by the play's failure, Miller revamped it as the musical Up from Paradise, which fared no better than its source.
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