Otsego tackles good vs. evil in ‘Children of Eden’

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Yonah (center, performed
by Annie Barnhart) shields Ham (bottom, performed by Brian Zapiecki) from Japheth (top, performed by
A.J. Digby) as Noah (right, performed by Derek Morgan) attempts to dissuade Japheth from striking Ham.
(Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)

TONTOGANY – The Otsego Choral Department will present its 30th musical production entitled "Children
of Eden" later this month.
This year’s musical takes on a more serious theme as the show centers around the love of family, the
complexities of relationships, and the power of good versus evil. The show features the music of Stephen
Schwartz, who is also the composer of the ever-popular "Wicked" and "Godspell."
Performances are March 20-22 at 7 p.m., and March 23 at 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center
In the beginning of the show, the audience will meet Adam, played by senior Zac Gregory, and Eve,
portrayed by senior Dayna Fackler. They are busy discovering a whole new world presented to them by
their Father. The father in this production will be played by Joe Barton, a 1989 Otsego graduate and an
active director/performer/producer of 3B musical productions.
As the story progresses, two sons are added to the family: Cain and Abel, played by senior Josh Tremonti
and junior Jeffrey Agan, respectively.
There are also two younger versions of Cain and Abel: eight-grader Caleb Frank and sixth-grader Ben Gray.

Generations of families come and go until in Act Two with the introduction of Noah and his wife, Momma
Noah, portrayed by sophomores Derek Morgan and Casey Barbour. Their family consists of Japheth, played
by sophomore AJ Digby; and two married sons, Shem, junior Brian Zapiecki, and Ham, junior Gavin Spilker;
and their wives, Aphra, played by Morgan Cowdrey, and Aysha, played by Eva Scott.
Japheth has a forbidden love, Yonah, portrayed by sophomore Annie Barnhart, who also happens to be the
family’s servant.
Many animals appear throughout the show and 10 members of our cast make-up the snake – Morgan Cowdrey,
Jenny Fletcher, Hannah Frate, Sam Haynes, Ashlyn Mikesell, Eva Scott, Andrew Shiley, Tyler Weber, Kelly
Weihl and Trevor Zapiecki.
The production also features storytellers, soloists, and a chorus of 80 high school, junior high, and
elementary students.
The production is under the direction of choral Director Janine Baughman, assisted by Madge Brown, Will
Baughman, Nicole Navarre, and student teacher Clay Thomson.
The price of admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students/senior citizens.
Tickets may be purchased outside the high school office.

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