Newcomers thriving in “All Shook Up”

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If Gabe Muniz hadn’t found his voice, he’d likely be working on the sound or set when the curtain rises on Boonton High School’s production of “All Shook Up.”

Where that mid-range voice came from, he isn’t sure. Actually, it was through the persuasion of Mrs. Oliveri, the director, and with the help of friends. It’ll be put to good use when he plays the role of Dean, who attends a military boarding school.

“I had just started to practice singing and learned tricks to do about a month before auditions started,” said Muniz, a sophomore. “I have wonderful friends who all helped me to find my voice and who gave me tips and tricks to make it sound better and better.”

No one in Muniz’s family was ever involved in theater. It was his friends – Daniel Van Hoven, Marwan Makey, Hailey Tuohy and Alexander Tracy – who convinced him to give singing and acting a try.

What’s been most difficult for the theater newcomer?

“The most difficult part of this for me was practicing the harmonies and making sure that I was singing all of the right notes as well as making sure that I was on beat with everyone else,” Muniz said.

Mrs. Oliveri has been impressed with Muniz and is glad he decided to take the stage.

“I was recruiting at the beginning of the year,” Oliveri said. “Gabe tried out and he’s a lead. He can definitely sing. He’s got a beautiful voice.”

Although Muniz has never seen a professional production, he’d like to. “Hamilton” would be his top choice.

“I’d see ‘Hamilton’ because I loved how they were able to make the show entirely music without missing a beat,” he said. “All of the songs are incredible as well as the actors’ ability to keep up with the constant singing and dancing. I found that truly inspiring and impressive.”

Muniz plans to be a part of shows at BHS and maybe other ones in the future.

“I strongly believe that I will be in future shows, whether I am a lead or an ensemble member,” he said. “I will keep on improving my acting and singing skills which will put me all into every role and show.”

Jenna Laughlin, a freshman, is a crew member and specializes in painting the set.

“I’ve always been really creative so doing stuff like painting, deciding where things go, etc. are all things I like,” Laughlin said. “I like to see my work actually being used. It’s also a way for me to express myself through my art without my name actually being known.”

One thing Laughlin, whose mom was involved in a drama club while attending Cedar Grove, finds difficult is “how slow the process can be.” There are also problems to solve in the midst of projects. For example, the crew was doing guide lines for a Greyhound bus when the frame broke.

Laughlin enjoys art and likes to draw characters. For a recent school assignment, she drew Napoleon.

As for a dream play, Laughlin would like to see “Beetlejuice” or “Harry Potter.”

Freshman Eston Checke’s parents urged him to do the play because of his boundless energy. He quickly knew he was in the right place. He drew on his experiences with sports, football in particular, to help with being in “All Shook Up.” Checke is in the ensemble as No. 47 for the well-known “Jailhouse Rock” number and also is the bus driver.

“Football helps me in a way that can be helpful most of the time,” Checke said. “It helped me learn how to deal with difficult and stressful situations at times that I am needed to lock in.”

What has been most challenging or stressful?

“The most difficult part I found was memorizing all the songs and dances,” said Checke, whose dad did state crew during high school. “I did have the fear of going in front of a whole crowd, especially with some side roles. I feel that now I have overcome those fears.

“Playing No. 47 is pretty cool but scary at the same time as it is in the very first song which adds a lot of responsibility. It needs to be perfect to make everybody want to watch the play!”

It’s no surprise that “Hamilton” is Checke’s No. 1 Broadway show.

“I love the high energy that is needed,” he said.

BHS Drama Club has been a memorable experience for Checke.

“The amount of friends I have gained is so crazy,” Checke said. “I would love to be in the shows for all four of my high school years.”

Greidy Gomez learned about theater when cast and crew from the George Street Playhouse visited her elementary school in New Brunswick. The presentation and “games” related to drama sparked an interest in theater and she played the king in “Hamlet.”

Gomez, a sophomore, likes just about everything about drama club – being in a large production and her castmates.

Mrs. Oliveri is very pleased with Gomez, noting that she is very devoted.

“Greidy is doing great,” Oliveri said. “She’s at all of the rehearsals and never complains. She’s really enjoying herself.”