Springhouse Middle School Theater students will perform their version of “Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire?” on Oct. 27 and 29.

This 90-minute play, set in Old New Plunkettville, tells the story of how contestants on a popular television game show are being murdered and who the murderer is while trying to make a show at the same time.

Natalia Cao plays Clovis Darnell. Kiran Kadewari portrays Cleo Carruthers.

Cao said her character is very tough and her life is all about the show and her job.

“She doesn’t have time for any emotions, she mostly only cares about herself,” Cao said.

“She is very neat, clever and works hard.”

Cao loves playing Clovis as she becomes a totally different person.

“She is fun to play because I am nicer than her,” Cao said. “She likes to yell and boss people around to be mean and little bossy.

“Each time I get on stage being her, I feel great. The play is great, it’s suspenseful and funny.

“It has so many genres in one, murder, mystery, action, drama and a pinch of romance.”

Kadewari said her character, Cleo, is the wise-cracking assistant director of the show.

“She’s usually very laid back and not too concerned about the people dying. She just wants to keep her job,” Kadewari said. “She isn’t very academically smart, but she has street smarts.”

“She doesn’t take anything that is going on very seriously and finds humor in even the most tense moments.

Kadewari said she likes playing Cleo because of the way she responds in environments like these, instead of getting riled up about the murders she makes jokes.

“I really admire people who can take a step back and laugh when faced with a challenge,” she said. “In real life I strive be this way.”

Kadewari loves the play because of the fast pace and quirky characters.

“The play itself forces you to pay attention, because you want to know who the killer is,” Kadewari said.

“The personalities of the characters clash and mingle in the funniest ways, and the quick one-liners dropped throughout the show will have people falling out of their seats,” she said.

Molly Coen who portrays Sheriff Jesse Marlowe and Paige Herman who plays Mayor Bertha Hoggens commented on their characters.

Coen said Jesse is the sassy, not-to-bright sheriff of Old New Plunketville.

“She’s a bit all over the place and is pretty unamused by some of her fellow town folks antics,” she said. “She doesn’t like to rush and is a bit of a show country hick and has an almost ridiculous southern accent.”

Coen said Jesse knows how to thoroughly sass and can use sarcasm, and stuff things in her boots, pockets and hat and her reactions are also very exaggerated if not hilarious.

Herman said her character is the high strung “spunky” city mayor.

“The mayor is a bit crazy and all over the place, so there are a lot of fun antics I got to incorporate,” she said. “The mayor is super fun to play.”

She loves playing the mayor because she has such a big personality.

“Every time she is on stage she’s freaking out and being over dramatic that she is just so fun to be,” Herman said. “Everything about her including some of her costumes is over the top and fabulous.”

Daniel Garrou, who plays Reginald Smarmy, also comments on his role.

“Reginald Smarmy is the dim-witted show host of ‘Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire,’ Garrou said .”He doesn’t really realize how bad murder is.”

“I love playing my character because like my character, I have a loud personality,” he said.

Garrou’s favorite part about being in the play is the excitement and humor.

“I still laugh at the jokes even though I have rehearsed them for hours,” Garrou said.

“Who is Dying to be a Millionaire” is co-directed by Jessica Reirnauer, Stephanie Knowlton, with help from photographer Deb Ringer.

Reitnauer said she chose this play because it is a cute and funny play that fits middle school humor.

“We wanted something that would be fun for them that they could also learn acting from,” she said.

She said this murder mystery was written by Pat Cook and published by Pioneer Drama Service.

“Who is Dying to be a Millionaire” will be performed 7 p.m. Oct. 27; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in Springhouse Middle School auditorium.

Reitnauer said there are no tickets, just pay at the door.