Vincentian Academy -- Children Of Eden

Children of Eden, a musical based on the story of Genesis that explores the common conflicts of everyday life between parents and children, culminating with the bittersweet message that “the hardest part of love—is letting go” will be performed this month by the Theatre Arts program at Vincentian Academy-Duquesne University. Performances are on Feb, 20-21 and 27-28, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Catherine Thomas Theatre, St. Benedict Center, 4530 Perrysville Ave., Ross Twp. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered by calling 724-481-1200 or through childrenofeden@zoominternet.net Also available is a pre-show dinner at the Paradise Café, located at the Theatre with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

Leading roles and performers for this show are: FATHER-Bobby Podolinski, ADAM/NOAH-Jonathan Crnkovic, EVE/MOMA NOAH -Celine Held, CAIN/JAPHETH-Steve Zingarelli, and YONAH-Allison Jones.

Director/choreographer Beth Walter has been diligently working with the cast of 44 students for the past several months in preparation for this year’s performance, which is based on a concept by Charles Lisanby and a book by John Caird, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The cast includes 12 seniors returning for their final high school stage appearance: Jeanine Boerio, Johnathan Crnkovic, Celine Held, Allison Jones, Monica Mihm, Bobby Podolinski, Marina Seminatore, Gina Senatore, Emilie Shepard, Eric Sinclair, Alex Wusylko, and Stephen Zingarelli. The school’s Theatre Arts program has grown significantly over the past three years with successful previous presentations of Annie, Guys and Dolls and Bye Bye Birdie. The program now involves 86 students (one-third of the student population) participating in the overall show performance either in the cast, stage crew, make-up, or orchestra.

Vincentian Academy holds the distinction as the only international baccalaureate, Catholic, university-affiliated private high school in existence. Originally founded in 1932 by the Vincentian Sisters of Charity as Vincentian High School, the school was re-dedicated in 1995 as Vincentian Academy-Duquesne University. Each year, 100 percent of the Academy’s graduates are accepted to and enroll in colleges and universities across the globe.