The closing performance of Oak Park and River Forest High School’s production of “Rent” had many emotional high points. But a defining moment came when senior Micah Merrill, playing the role of Tom Collins, sang the reprise of “I’ll Cover You.”

The song is a gospel-inspired requiem for his character’s partner, Angel, who has just died of AIDS. Merrill preached his love to every individual in the room, channeling the spirit of Angel. He filled the auditorium with his soul-inflected interpretation like a seasoned Broadway veteran, bringing many audience members to their feet during the applause. 

But Merrill is not a Broadway veteran. He’s a high school senior, and he only started doing theater a little over a year ago. Despite being a relative newcomer, he has already held two lead roles in OPRF productions. That’s especially notable since some of his cast-mates have more than a decade of experience, including professional acting gigs. 

In fact, Merrill was hesitant to get involved in theater. But his sister, sophomore Maia Merrill, urged him to try out for last year’s spring musical, “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.”

“My sister pressured me to do it,” he said. “She was a freshman back then, and she didn’t feel comfortable going into it without someone else. I was an experienced singer by then, but I hadn’t had any experience acting. I was like, why not?” 

Perhaps with the assistance of his dribbling skills, which he gained from doing soccer with the American Youth Soccer Organization, he landed the role of featured dancer for that show, despite having no prior dance training.

But his first notable moment was in his subsequent show last November, as Merrill played his first lead. He starred as Hades in OPRF’s production of “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” while his sister played Hermes, the show’s conscience and narrator. 

And then came “Rent,” which required Merrill to portray a very different character and carry some of the show’s most challenging music. “He has a voice like no one else,” said Michelle Bayer, the director of all three productions Merrill has been in.

Merrill credited his vocal expertise to a secret weapon: “My mom taught me how to sing from a young age,” he said.

In addition to learning from his mom, Merrill has been singing soul music since he was a child. He also took part in his middle school’s choir and now studies privately with his own vocal tutor. But in the world of musical theater, your voice isn’t everything, and your training may not even apply.

“Soul singing? It’s a whole different thing,” Merrill said. “Musical theater? You have technique, you have ways of saying words, there are ways to enunciate, and of course, you have to have the power to have your voice echo across the large stage.”

Merrill has been up to the task to make these adjustments, according to Bayer. “He’s a sponge,” she said. “He’s very, very directable. He is a perfectionist and wants to get better and better at his craft.”

But even after acknowledging all of his hard work, Bayer was still impressed by how far he has gotten in so little time. “They’re not little steps, they’re ginormous leaps,” she added.

His castmates agreed that Merrill’s voice is a rare instrument. “He has the voice of an angel,” said Tate Van Duinen, who played Angel. 

Angel and Tom Collins represent the show’s most stable relationship. “For playing the role of both Angel and Collins, you need to have a good counterpart to be able to truly shine as an individual,” Van Duinen added. “And I think that if Micah hadn’t been the Collins, my Angel, my performance would have been hindered greatly.” 

The love and respect do not go unseen by Merrill.“My cast-mates are great people, they support me through literally everything … It’s a very welcoming community,” said Merrill.

Although Merrill has made it clear he is capable enough to pursue a career in musical theater, Merrill said he’s “going the full studious route” after he graduates from OPRF, studying environmental engineering at the University of Loyola Chicago on a pre-law track.

Even if musical theater may not be his chosen path, he plans to keep singing. He recently started an Instagram account where he continues to sing. He has most recently been seen performing songs by his biggest inspiration, Stevie Wonder. “I have 120 songs on my playlist. Seventy are from him,” said Merrill.

And in college next year? Merrill said, “I’m totally going to get into a band and get some singing gigs!”