Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School

Acting is in the bloodlines for two Bridgwater-Raritan Middle School students.

Holden Fechter and Nathan Weinstein, both 8th Grade students, come from good stock when it comes to performing on stage.

Holden began acting in the 5th Grade, following in his father's footsteps, Nicholas Marino.

“My dad was an actor, and he was in a movie, 'King's Faith,' which I saw,” Holden shared about the film that was released in 2013.

Nathan’s path to the theater was launched by his father, Andrew, who acted during his scholastic and collegiate days, and has been continued by his brother Aaron Weinstein, a s junior, and sister, Zoe, a sophomore, who are key members of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s highly successful Theatre Arts program.

They both just starred in the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Theatre Arts production of Little Shop of Horrors on April 16 to 18, which has been widely acclaimed as one of the finest shows ever presented at the high school.

'I wanted to follow them,’ Nathan said about his desire to keep the family tradition alive on stage.

Holden and Nathan will now take center stage to represent themselves, their families, and the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School when Shrek The Musical JR is presented.

The Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School’s Spring Musical will be performed on Friday, May 8, in the school’s auditorium starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for Shrek The Musical JR can be purchased at the door the night of the show.

According to Music Theatre International, Shrek The Musical JR. is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical.  It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.

Holden will play the lead role, Shrek, while Nathan will portray another leading character, Donkey.

They both spoke about how much they cherish the characters they portray during a recent afternoon rehearsal in the Middle School auditorium.

“I wanted to have the leading role and was determined to do so when I auditioned,” Holden said as a true actor. “I love the role, Shrek grows a lot, and I like to be able to show that.”

Nathan said that he, too, loves his role.

“I am portraying someone so funny,” he revealed.

Holden, Nathan, and their equally skilled cast, as well as the crew staff, have performed brilliantly leading up to the show, according to Olivia Matko, the devoted Middle School Drama Club Director.

“They have all done a fantastic job. What a great group of both the cast and crew,” said Ms. Matko, who is joined in the show by Middle School colleagues and musical directors Fran DiFazio and Julia Meisterich.

And it is a large group at that.

A total of 72 Middle School students are involved in this production. There are 49 students in the cast, and another 23 serve on the stage crew and as directors and managers.

Ms. Matko believes that the audience will enjoy the performance on May 8.

“This is a fun show for the whole family."

Here are the students from Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School who make up the crew, directors, managers and cast.

Stage Crew: