Next weekend Weehawken High School students will have “a ball” as students present their annual spring musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”
Originally written for Julie Andrews in 1957, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” is a Broadway rendition of the world’s most famous fairytale about a mistreated heroine, her evil stepfamily, a fairy godmother, a charming prince, and, of course, a glass slipper.
In the Weehawken rendition, students will be taking on the classic characters, including a gender-bending ingénue who played the male lead in last year’s musical and a princely, young local rocker.
Approximately 20 percent of the student population participates in some way.
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Students step up
Each year the spring musical at Weehawken High School is a grand undertaking. Approximately 20 percent of the student population participates in some way or another to bring the show to life.
While faculty members provide support and guidance, it’s the kids who actually build the sets, design the costumes, and essentially run the show.
According to Vice Principal Steven Spinosa, the spring musical is one of only a few programs at the high school that brings together students from seventh through 12th graders. He said this works to create synergy amongst the various classes of students.
Sophomore Blaze Stahl said she sees the mingling between the classes on the production as a way for underclassmen to see the possibilities ahead.
“High school is all about trying to figure out who you are.” – Blaze Stahl
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Alexa Torres, a junior who plays stepsister Joy, agreed, adding that the younger kids bring a special energy to the roles that they fill which in turn energizes the whole cast.
Broadway insiders
While students are at the forefront of the production with faculty support, Braddon Mehrten, the director, adds another very special form of assistance for Weehawken’s aspiring actors.
Mehrten, a professional director, is an artist-in-residence at Weehawken High School from Inside Broadway, a non-profit educational organization based in New York City.
The program has been provided for students through the support of Principal Peter Olivieri, Superintendent Kevin McLellan, and the Weehawken Board of Education for the past seven years.
According to Vice Principal Spinosa, Weehawken High School is the only school throughout the state to utilize the artist-in-residence program from Inside Broadway.
And the unique opportunity to work with a professional is a chance the students are not taking lightly.
Kari Zetter, a junior playing stepsister Portia, said that working with Mehrten encourages students to take their craft to the next level.
“As a professional, he pushes us to work harder,” said Zetter. “We don’t want to goof around in front of him.”
And her cast mates concurred. With Mehrten’s limited schedule and only 27 rehearsals before the opening show, there’s not much time to waste.
Stahl (“Cinderella”) added that working with someone who is outside of the day-to-day operations of the school helps level the playing field for students to play their characters without judgment based on who they are off stage.
Ready for action
As anticipation rises for opening night, so does the energy level, which Vice Principal Spinosa said always leads to an incredible performance.
“Historically Friday night, opening night, has been the real ‘wow’ night,” he said.
But whether theatergoers choose to show up on Friday or Saturday, they’re in for a treat.
Though Cinderella’s a fairytale, the students are bringing a realistic vibe and comic edge to their performances.
The girls playing members of the evil stepfamily, Zetter, Torres, and Rosa Andujar (stepmother), said they are having fun pulling out their inner mean side for their characters.
“I get to act crazy all the time,” said Zetter, laughing. “It’s really different.”
Jack Skuller, a rising star on the local music scene who is playing the prince, said whether he’s singing a rockabilly tune at his own concert or a theatrical ballad on the high school stage, the rules of performance are the same.
“Performing is performing,” said Skuller. “You’ve gotta give a show to the audience every time.”
For Aicha Ndiaye, a junior who played the lead role in the spring musical Oliver last year and this year takes on the role of Fairy Godmother, it’s just good to play a female character for once.
“I get to play a girl, have magic, and be a fairy godmother, so that’s awesome,” said Ndiaye.
Get your tickets
Performances both nights are open to all ages. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door or in advance through Weehawken High School. For more information, call (201) 422-6130.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.