Hoboken Students of All Ages Put On 'Seussical'

Students of all ages — from sixth graders to high school seniors — are scattered around the Hoboken High School Auditorium on a recent Friday afternoon.

Some are in the back, chatting. Others are eating lunch in the front row, while another group is rehearsing on stage under the direction of Danielle Miller, the theater director.

It's the last week before the district is performing Seussical. 

"I think we need more time," said Tim Sykes, the 10th grader who has the role of the Cat in the Hat. "I have a lot of stuff I have to work on. I am in every single number."

While this is the third show Sykes, 16, is in, this is his first lead role. While he admitted to being a little nervous, he said he was ready.

Unlike the most recent production at the high school — — this production involves more students, of more ages. The musical itself is a much less serious topic, which leads the atmosphere to be more relaxed.

That doesn't mean it's less productive, though.

"I'm not used to working with kids," said Jason Oliveras, a sophomore at the high school. But, Oliveras, 16, said, he has completely turned around.

"I almost became a brotherly figure," he said.

The younger kids also came into the show with some pre-conceived notions, fearing that the teenagers wouldn't be nice to them. 

Instead, it's been an educational experience.

"We look up to them," said Jessalyn Brockman, 11. "They teach us new stuff ... how to sing better, how to act better."

Ultimately there's one thing that binds the whole group together, regardless of age: a deep, sincere love for theater.

"Words can't explain how much I love theater," said 11-year-old Kaijah Torres, whom was called "hilarious" and "a ball of joy" by the group of girls sitting with her. (She proved her point by making funny faces throughout the interview).

Not only do the cast members differ in age, they also differ in experience levels.

For Arianna Santiago, 9, this is the first time she'll be on stage.

"I didn't expect this exactly," the fourth grader said. "I didn't know it was going to be this much work."

For Kiara Marie Maltonado, 15, a sophomore at the high school, this is also her first play. She decided to enter the theater program after a friend pushed her to do it.

When she auditioned, she didn't know how it went. "I was surprised," she said, about her reaction to getting one of the main roles in the show.

"It's very challenging," she said.

Maltonado said she was also impressed with how professional all the kids are.

At first, she said, she thought it'd be challenging to work with little kids.

"But I heard them sing," she said, "they're really talented."

Sometimes it's especially hard to focus, she said, because her fellow cast mates are just too much fun.

"I have been yelled at for too much talking," she said. (the cast mates are just "too much fun," she explained.) But, she added confidently, "I'm more than ready."

At that point Miller yells from the stage to summon a group of students to rehearse How to Raise a Child. The stage is as much of a representation of the mix of students as the rest of the auditorium, from impromptu hugs to giving each other pointers on singing, dancing and acting.

For Chris Velez, 18, this is the last theater production. After performing in Rent last Fall, he didn't plan on doing any more shows.

After he was asked to be Horton the Elephant, he decided to do it after all.

"Rent was very dark," Velez said. "Here there's more room to play around."

While the show is fun, Velez said he has been a bit nostalgic throughout the rehearsals.

As he was singing on stage a few days prior, he said, he suddenly had a realization.

"I was singing and thought 'oh wow, this is it.'" Velez said. "It's crazy that I'm leaving."

But, he said happily, "I'm going out as Horton the Elephant."

Seussical will be put on at the High School on Friday May 3, Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5.