Holy War on a Catholic High School

March 06, 2013 - 9:52 PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

PANORAMA CITY, CA (March 6, 2013) - St. Genevieve Catholic High School in Panorama City, CA, a parish high school, announced its intention of staging the vulgar play "Cabaret" at the beginning of the year. This is the first time a Los Angeles archdiocesan school has attempted such a sexually explicit play. Although theater arts students were dismayed, they were informed there was no other choice. Permission slips were sent home with all performers, since the play deals with "sensitive issues". "Some of what is said by the play's characters, some of what they do, how they dress and how they behave, can be unsettling. That is no accident. This play was written, in part, to make us explore and confront things that are unpleasant or make us uncomfortable." (Letter to parents dated January 25, 2013).

"Cabaret" is about a seedy nightclub in 1930 Berlin. The play includes co-habitation, prostitution, multiple partners, homosexual behavior, and an abortion. The main plot is about a brief love affair between a homosexual man and a promiscuous woman, living in the same building as a colorful prostitute, during the Nazi rise to power. The play, while showing the obvious evil of Nazism, varnishes all types of sexual sin through provocative music, dancing, lyrics, and subject matter. Not surprisingly it is based on autobiographical material by self-proclaimed homosexual Christopher Isherwood, who visited Berlin nightclubs of the time looking for other men. The lead male character is based on Isherwood, while the lead female part is based on Jean Ross, a friend of his whom he admired for her lack of sexual inhibitions.

As word spread about the play, Catholic folks in the community and beyond decided to take matters into their own hands, starting with an email campaign to a broad base of contacts, outlining the facts and requesting calls and emails to Principal Dan Horn, Pastor Alden J. Sison, Director Nain Doporto, and other St. Genevieve faculty members. The email spread far and wide, sparking numerous calls and emails. Then began a postcard protest, with hundreds of postcards being signed and mailed to the same. Next, flyers in Spanish and English began to appear in Church after Church in the surrounding areas with the faculty's contact information. Guadalupe Radio 98.7 aired the story and denounced the school's actions on Tuesday, February 26 on "La Verdad te hara Libre" with Jesse Romero, which airs Tuesday through Thursday at 9:00 pm. Principal Horn and Fr. Sison will not return calls to Daily News or even to school parents who wish to meet and discuss the propriety of "Cabaret" at this venue, scheduled to run April 25 through 27th in Madonna Hall on parish grounds. The news continues to spread. Parents may be able to accomplish with a grassroots movement what could not be done "by the book". Principal Horn, Director Doporto, and Fr. Alden Sison are being called on to answer to parents how they can justify this performance on Church property at a Catholic school.

To voice your opinion, call or email or both. "If this play is pulled", one parent said, "it could be a true turning point in reclaiming secondary and elementary Catholic education for Holy Mother Church. Let your voice be heard!"

St. Genevieve Catholic High School Faculty:

Pastor Fr. Alden J. Sison (818) 894-2261, ext. 111
vgonzalez@stgenevievechurch.org
(Ask that the email be forwarded to him.)

Principal Dan Horn: (818) 894-6417 ext 0 horn@valiantspirit.com
And at (310) 473-3337 admissions@saintsebastianschool.com

Director Nain Doporto: (818) 894-6417 ext. 306 doporto@valiantspirit.com

Perf. Arts Music Director Allan Shatkin: (818) 894-6417 ext. 123 shatkin@valiantspirit.com

Perf. Arts Vocal Director Rose Corpuz: (818) 894-6417 ext. 124 corpuz@valiantspirit.com

Contact

http://www.stgenevievechurch.org
CA, 91606 US
Kimberly Brehme - ,

Keywords

Catholic High School, protest, scandal

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

We Will Pray with You: Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

Free Catholic Knowledge Assessment from Catholic Online School

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »