Springhouse Middle School theater students have been rehearing since mid-September to perform their version of “The Suessification of Romeo and Juliet.”

This play, written by Peter Bloedel, professor of theater at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn., is a playful rendition of William Shakespeare’s tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet.

Alex Samuels portrays Romeo. Hannah Whitson plays Juliet.

Samuels said his character at the beginning of the play is a depressed, desperate young man looking for love.

“I eventually come across Juliet and we fall in love, making me a happy young lad,” Samuels said.

Samuels said Romeo over-exaggerates everything and it is fun to act out.

“I like being in this play especially, because obviously I’m Romeo and this play feels a lot more fun than any of the other ones,” Samuels said.

Whitson said her character Juliet is very sweet, naïve and a little bit clumsy.

“I love playing Juliet because having the Seuss addition to the show makes my lines funnier and makes my character not the typical Juliet,” Whitson said.

Whitson said she loves that this show adds so much to a timeless classic and how the Seussifacation twists the plot.

Paige Herman and Taylor Shortell portray Narrator 1 and Narrator 2.

Herman said her character is very silly and helps move the play along.

“I like having the freedom of making my own funny character and I love my costume,” Herman said.

Herman said she loves acting and making people laugh.

“I also like making new friends with the cast every year,” she added.

Shortell said the narrators are funny and crazy and they carry the show along in a mischievous way.

“I love playing the narrator just for the fact I get to be silly and I get to wear a blue wig,” Shortell said.

This play is directed, choreographed and produced by Jessica Reitnauer and Stephanie Knowlton, a Parkland graduate and former Springhouse student.

“This play is a whimsical reinvention of Shakespeare’s tragic love story, complete with rhymed couplets, creative wordplay and fantastical machines -- similar to something Dr. Seuss might have come up with if he ever had his way with the script,” Reitnauer said. “We chose this show because of the hilarious wordplay it presents.

“It also ties to our eighth grade language arts curriculum in that they will study Romeo and Juliet this year.”

Reitnauer said it was a great pleasure to work with Knowlton after having her in the theater program for several shows while she was a student at Springhouse.

“I have always said the theater program here is a large extended and dedicated family, and to have one of our own come back to pass the torch and work with current SMS theater students really shows the depth of the bond is built during the time students spend in this program,” Reitnauer said.

“The Suessification of Romeo and Juliet,” will be performed 7 p.m. Oct. 29; and 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 in the middle school auditorium.

Tickets will be available at the door.