Students to stage original
play on Greek mythology
By jamie dougher
Staff Writer
FARRAH MAFFAI Crystal Marte, 18, opens Pandora’s box during a non-dress rehearsal for An Evening of Greek Mythology by Triple H Productions. Pictured around her are (l-r) Kush Parmar, 15; Moran McGinnity, 16; Jarrett Francavilla, 16; and Sherin Parikh, 16.
SAYREVILLE — A strong passion for theater has prompted an enterprising borough teen to start his own production company.
Triple H Productions, the brainchild of Wilfredo Hernandez, will showcase its first production, An Evening of Greek Mythology, at 8 p.m. July 25 at the Sayreville War Memorial High School auditorium.
The name of the production company was derived from the three Hernandez brothers — Wilfredo, 18; Brian, 13; and Daniel, 10.
"Ever since we were little, my brothers and cousins used to put on plays in the backyard," Hernandez said.
Hernandez said his interest in both Greek mythology and theater stems from childhood.
"It made the perfect combination," he said. "(Greek mythology) was something that I knew inside and out."
Hernandez’s uncle, Joseph Mecca, has produced the upcoming play and provided financial backing for the company’s startup costs.
Hernandez, who registered Triple H Productions with the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office so it could be recognized as an actual business, directed and wrote An Evening of Greek Mythology this year as a student before graduating in June.
"Not a lot of plays focus on Greek mythology," he said.
The play was open to all Sayreville high school students for auditions in April, and the cast began rehearsing in May.
The play’s cast is composed entirely of teenage students from the high school. The cast has been rehearsing in the auditorium four days per week for four hours each day.
Hernandez said the play is structured around high school students trying to pass a mythology exam to graduate. The students fall asleep the night before the exam and their dreams become the vehicle for Hernandez to teach the audience about mythology.
"It’s a great show for students (of all ages)," he said. "They’re going to come into (mythology) during their years in high school."
Hernandez has incorporated dance sequences choreographed by Sayreville High School students Nicole Vuono and Ryan Holder. Another student, Helen Vassallo, costumed the cast.
Hernandez, who will be a freshman at Kean University, Union, in the fall, said he is trying to prepare a season of shows for next year that may include musicals.
Ticket prices for An Evening of Greek Mythology are $8 for adults, $6 for students and children, and $2 for seniors.
Hernandez said the community can benefit from learning about Greek mythology because it provides new perspectives.
"The whole reason why I think Greek mythology is so important is that it plays a large part in our culture today," Hernandez said. "It’s my hope that anyone who sees the show will come out with a sense of another way of looking at everything around him."