'I Hate Valentine's Day' But You May Love This Funny Hoboken Middle School Play

HOBOKEN, NJ — Whether you love or hate Valentine's Day, you may love the comedic play that more than 30 of Hoboken's middle schoolers have been working hard to rehearse.

"I Hate Valentine's Day," is a show that "incorporates the different viewpoints and perspectives that students face in school on Valentine's Day that ultimately becomes a journey to loving yourself before loving others," said Danielle Miller, the district's fine and performing arts supervisor.

"The cast and crew of the Hoboken Middle School Theatre Department has been having a blast working on this comedy," she said.

Thirty kids in grades 6-8 will perform in the show starting Friday. See the list below.

Show dates are Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., and Feb. 11 and 12 at 2 p.m. each day.

Tickets can be purchased at https://hhsnj.booktix.com/. The show will be performed at Hoboken Middle School, 158 Fourth St.

"Each and every one of them brings something unique to the table," said Director PJ Benson, of the students. "The eighth graders demonstrated responsibility and leadership providing a great example for our younger cast members. The seventh grade students have grown so much since last year and impress me with their continued dedication. Lastly, the sixth graders, which make up nearly half the cast, are courageous and delightfully enthusiastic. I couldn’t have asked for a
better cast.”

"These students have put together a captivating performance," said Assistant Director Gina Rotondi, "telling the story of teenagers as they explore the world of romance and what it means to them. The radical exploration of self love and self esteem brings a new light to the idea of Valentine's Day."

The show was written by Sonya Sobieski and produced by special arrangement with Stage Partners (www.yourstagepartners.com).

Performers:

Sophia Castiglione

Dominique Olavarria

Rebecca Wu

Mallory Whitmore

Pria Wolsky

Violeta Martin

Krishay Chugh

Christopher Melli

Kevin Melendez

Tyler Mara

Annie Mahat

Henry Brennan

Charles Bird

Gloria Williams

Seneca Perry

Jackson Kirsch

Molly Lamb

Saira Bindra

Magnus Peterka

Ezra Horn

Jake Stefura

Samuel Leong

Sihanna Garcia

Emerson Blischke-Villavicencio

Gabriel Colon

Crisshayla Rivera

Regina Hosbach

Elise Pascual

Winter Acosta

Charles Stroop

Production Team Members:

Directors: PJ Benson & Aishah Tapia

Production Assistant/Assistant Director: Gina Rotondi

Production Supervisor: Danielle Miller

Choreographer: Britteny Schruefer

Lighting Design: Nikki Belenski

Sound Design: David Stasiak

Scenic Design: Olivia Whelan

Set Design: Malcolm Cummins & Dante Bates