In their young age, Milstead Middle School sixth graders Eduardo Cabrera and Brittany Rios, fifth grader Tristan Sanchez, and Laura Bush Elementary School first grader Aidan Sanchez, are becoming stars as they are taking center stage in Sam Rayburn High School’s theater arts department’s upcoming presentations of the famed Broadway musical “The Will Rogers Follies.”

Milstead choir teacher Pam Goza said she suggested that the students be given roles in the show because of their talents.

“I feel like these kids have the vocal qualities and personalities the directors were looking for in casting these roles,” said Goza. “They are all great choir students at Milstead, and when I found out that Tristan had a younger brother who likes to sing, too, I suggested that both he and Aidan audition.”

The Will Rogers Follies is a Tony Award-winning musical focusing on the life and career of famed humorist and performer Will Rogers, using the Ziegfeld Follies as a backdrop, which he often headlined, and describes every episode in his life in the form of a big production number. This musical will be Rayburn’s fourth to perform. A free preview for senior citizens will be held tonight at 6 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Show times are Thursday, Jan. 31 through Saturday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7. For more information, call the school at 713-740-0330. 

“This is a great show because it tells the audience about who Will Rogers was,” said Rayburn’s choir instructor Tony Tuckwiller. “His humor and comments are as relative today as they were when he was alive. Being an election year, his comments about politics and politicians will resonate with audience members.”

Will and Betty Rogers were parents of four, and Tuckwiller held auditions for each of the four Rogers children’s parts. Kids interested in the parts learned a part of one of the songs as well as a few steps from one of the dances and auditioned individually. Eduardo is cast as the Rogers’ oldest son Will, Jr., Brittany as their daughter Mary, Tristan as son James, and Aidan as their youngest Freddy. All four students will be singing, dancing and acting.

“I think they were good selections for these roles because they love to be in the spotlight and because they all sing well and move well on stage,” said Goza. “This serves as a fantastic learning experience for these children because they get to see what live theater is all about. It’s a lot of hard work that really pays off in performance, and they get to experience it from a totally different perspective than most students.”

Frank Sanchez, father to Aidan and Tristan and a Milstead teacher, said he is proud that his sons were selected to perform in this musical.

“I am thrilled to have such talented children,” Sanchez said. “They are awesome boys, and this experience will teach them how to prepare, rehearse and love the ambience of the theatrical atmosphere. They will also learn about collaboration and teamwork.”

Tristan said he his excited about his upcoming performances and that he isn’t nervous.

“I’m not nervous because my parents told me not to look at the crowd,” said Tristan. “It’s awesome because I have never been in a play before.”

Tuckwiller said the collaboration between the high school students and the younger students has been an enjoyable experience for all and that it will show on stage.

“Audiences always enjoy seeing young kids on stage, and we have the good fortune to have ones that are good singers and dancers,” said Tuckwiller. “The high school students have taken the younger ones under their wings and have taken care to be sure everything goes smoothly for them. It’s been great.”

The performances are directed by Peggy Hinojosa, who has been the choreographer for Rayburn’s previous musicals. Analie Cuadras will play Betty Rogers, and Theatre Under the Stars students Michael Carver and Storey Hinojosa will play Will’s father Clem Rogers and Ziegfeld’s Favorite, respectively.

Paul Driscoll, a professional magician who is a Rayburn graduate, will be appearing as part of “Texas Jack’s Wild West Show” in the first act.  The two-time “Magician of the Year” honoree is a frequent headliner at the famed Magic Castle night club in Hollywood, where he recently appeared with Jason Alexander, who played the character George on the hit television comedy series “Seinfeld.”

The students built a staircase over six feet tall and 40 feet wide that they will be dancing on, consisting of five walking steps and five platform steps that fills the entire stage.

“It takes hard work to put on a show, but the effort is worth it, so we encourage the community to come out at least one of the nights and enjoy the show,” Tuckwiller said. “No other high schools in the area have done this recently, and it’s unique because not only do the characters tell a story, but they interact with the audience as well as they tell about the life of Will Rogers.”