Nottingham students Ryshawn Cooper and Gabrielle Fernandez rehearse a scene from ‘In The Heights.’
High school students throughout Hamilton are memorizing lines, practicing their dance moves and setting the stage for upcoming spring musicals.
Journey to Whoville with Hamilton West, take a trip to Washington Heights with Nottingham and climb the corporate ladder with Steinert.
The season will kick off when Steinert students present How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
In this musical, window washer J. Pierrepont Finch, played by Bailey Savoy, rises through the ranks at World-Wide Wicket Company with the help of the book “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” On his way to the top, Finch meets secretary Rosemary Pilkington, played by Danielle Standifer, who dreams of marrying him.
The cast of 63 includes Ben Espenhorst as Bud Frump, Riese Bridgers as JB Biggley, Angela Spadafino as Hedy LaRue, Mani Kissling as Smitty, Danielle Swierczyna as Miss Jones, Jarius Prather as Mr. Bratt, Matt Keelan as Mr. Womper and Amy Boles as Miss Krumholtz.
Performances are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28; and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. March 1.
Tickets are $10 and available on Steinert’s website, hamilton.k12.nj.us/hamiltoneast.
Steinert Marching Unit Parents Association is set to host a pasta dinner prior to the March 1 performance. Tickets are available at the door and online.
Then, it’s Nottingham High School students’ turn, with their presentation of In The Heights.
In The Heights is an ensemble show focusing on three days in Washington Heights, a neighborhood in New York City. The contemporary show, set in present day, features rap music, lyrical ballads, hip-hop dancing, and contemporary dancing.
Junior Ryshawn Cooper leads the ensemble as Usnavi De La Vega, the Dominican born bodega owner. Isaiah Alston, a contestant on the third season of the X Factor, plays Benny who dreams of opening a business of his own one day. Gabrielle Fernandez is the female lead. She struggles with her family’s expectations, as well as navigating her new relationship with Benny throughout the show. Paisley Nunn plays Vanessa; her character is determined to leave Washington Heights and make something of herself.
Vivianna Marrero, Marisa Sargenti, Corey Laramore, Martinique Creech, Jason Rodriguez, Josh Morales, Samary Ortiz and James Jenkins round out the principal roles.
In the Heights is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 6-8. A free show for senior citizens is set for 6 p.m. March 4.
Tickets are $10 and available at the door, or in advance through ptammaro@hamilton.k12.nj.us.
A week later, Hamilton West students are set to present Seussical in March.
The musical is based of the works of Dr. Seuss and features popular characters from The Cat in the Hat and Horton Hears a Who.
In Seussical, the Cat in the Hat (Jermaine Terry) tells the audience the story of an elephant named Horton (Curtis Sullivan), who lives in the Jungle of Nool. Horton stumbles upon a piece of dust that contains the town of Whoville and must protect it from the animals in the jungle who ridicule him for believing in something he cannot see.
The cast also includes Tatiana Takacs as Gertrude McFuzz, Horton’s loyal neighbor, and Kyle Sullivan as Jojo, the son of the Mayor of Whoville who, much like Horton, is considered an outcast.
Performances are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 13-15.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For reserved seating, contact Phil Panfili at ppanfili@hamilton.k12.nj.us or (609) 631-4168, extension 5408.
–Jessica Talarick
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