Westfield 6-Year-Old Broadway Star Performs In 'Merrily We Roll Along'

WESTFIELD, NJ — At just 6 years old, Westfield's Max Rackenberg has already found himself on the big stage in New York City performing alongside acting legends Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez.

Rackenberg is performing in the Broadway musical "Merrily We Roll Along" where he plays Frank Jr., son of Frank who is played by Groff.

The Rackenbergs moved to Westfield from Illinois a year ago where they discovered Max's performing talent.

"We noticed that was his happy place," said Max's mom Meggie. "We took him to see 'Lion King' last year and he kept telling everyone he would be on Broadway one day and he really manifested it!"

Max's parents Meggie and Andy signed Max up for classes at Acting Out in Westfield. That's when Meggie saw a casting call for kids ages 5 to 8 in "Merrily We Roll Along."

She sent an email and Acting Out helped her with the video audition tape and he was selected.

"It was so surreal to tell him he got the part," said Meggie.

Max has been rehearsing with the show since August before the preview in September. He performs about three times a week and shares the role with two other kids.

Meggie says Max is currently in PM Kindergarten to give him more time to sleep in before heading to the City to perform at night.

"We have long traffic drives to the city and he has never once complained. He just loves it so much," said Meggie.

The show was initially going to end in March but has been extended through July 7.

Meggie said pretty much every single show has been sold out.

Max is a natural on stage as Meggie said he was never bothered by performing for so many people.

"It was incredible to see him at the beginning but he has gotten so much more confident on stage, His singing is getting better, it is just amazing," said Meggie. "It is his favorite part of the day. He always loves to perform."

During the show, audience members will see Max sing two solo songs and also his range of emotions.

"Part of the show there are happy scenes and part of the show, his dad on stage gets divorced from the mom character. It is a high drama scene where Max is screaming, crying to his dad. He is able to perform all types of emotions on stage," said Meggie. "It is heartbreaking when he does the scene at the courthouse and to hear him scream for his dad."

Overall Meggie and Andy are extremely proud of Max.

"The only word I can ever think of is surreal," said Meggie of seeing her son on Broadway.

When seeing Max first perform on stage, Meggie said she blacked out.

"I couldn't believe he was up there or I would be crying," said Meggie. "I was mesmerized. My brain can't even process why my 6-year-old is on stage with Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe."

For more information or to buy tickets for "Merrily We Roll Along" visit merrilyonbroadway.com. To follow Max's journey or to see the nights he is performing on stage visit instagram.com/max.rackenberg.

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