This year, the Theater Arts Drama classes, who are part of the Paper Mill Playhouse Adopt-A-School program (Year 4) presented Rent, the High School Edition, an inspiring story about friends and artists struggling in New York City’s East Village in the 1990s, loosely based on Puccini’s Boheme. Despite impoverished conditions, battling HIV/Aids and drug addiction, the characters celebrate love and the life of a Bohemian; living, loving and creating in the midst of the tragedy of a generation.
The students, directed by their teacher, Raluca Georgiana Shields, as well as Music Director, Valerie Gonzalez, and choreographer, John Hines, focused on developing characters, through voice and movement, and their interwoven character relationships, on singing techniques, while being mindful of the very demanding music. The cast was supported by the band, with the brilliant concert pianist Mr. Craig Ketter (Piano), and professional musicians Rick Marino (First Guitar), and Ata Ullucay.(Drums), together with High Tech student Geoff Zheng (Second Guitar).
The leads were played by seniors: Andrew Morgado (Mark, Student Assistant Director), Aidan Chapas (Tom), Elanie Benitez (Joanne), Jillian Vega (Maureen), Gabriela Diaz (Mimi), and Roman Arizmendi (Benny), and juniors Anthony Wenzel (Roger) and Joonaia Duran (Angel). The cast also included senior Kim Quirante, sophomores Arianna Urgiles, Macaela Silva, Ingrid Paucar and Calleigh Vargas, freshmen Bei Lusky, Danielle Losonczy, Alicia Velez and Ezra Horn (who also assisted the Music Director).
Special recognition also goes to our Vocal coach Justin Witwick, who trained the students vocally throughout the year, as well as to our Stage Manager junior Yariliz Tapia, and our tech crew made up of lighting and sound technicians, seniors Natalie Ortiz, Stanley Gettens, and Aiyanna AlJabri, under the guidance of our Lighting Designer Aiden Mitchell, and our Technician Director Mr. Jeremy Falzone. Our costume designer and student assistant director senior Elanie Benitez worked tirelessly on the costumes. Special thanks go to Ms. Cabrera for helping us with the documenting of the production.
Ultimately, this is a play about community and family, freedom, about being proudly different and about wanting to tell the world about it. Thank you for your support always.
The play was performed by special arrangement with MTI (Music Theatre International).
