Drama department brings a new kind of performance to the fall play

Emma Froseth, Staff WriterOctober 27, 2015Leave a Comment

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Kasey Desmond

The small, 12 person cast performs a dress rehearsal in preparation for the show.

The fall play, The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, is sure to be filled with laughter, rhymes, and lots of energy provided by the small 12 person cast. The play has the same plot as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but with Dr. Seuss’ rhymes, also known as “seussisms.” “[This show is] the classic Shakespearean play with a Dr. Seuss twist. All of the lines rhyme, and it is a lot more kid friendly and PG; it’s a goofy version of a classic play,” Junior Maya Berg, who plays Lady Monotone and Tybalt said.

This play is unlike any of Benilde-St. Margaret’s past fall productions in that it’s a purely comedic show compared to shows of previous years which have typically been more dramatic and covered more serious topics. “The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet is not a musical, no singing or dancing. It is also largely a comedy, something that we haven’t done for a while in the BSM theater program,” Junior Leo Driessen, who has three roles in the play: the Nurse, Monk Larry, and Abram Monotone, said.

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Another change this year is that the play is highlighting underclassmen rather than seniors. The show only features three seniors: Natasha Wagner, Rachael Long, and Joe Busch. Many seniors were disappointed that they were cut from the show and would not get the chance to participate in their final fall play. “I think it would have been really nice [for the seniors to be given roles] since it is their last year, especially since many of them are so dedicated to theater,” Berg said.

Many underclassmen, like Driessen, were assigned multiple roles while talented seniors were cut. “I feel bad that seniors were cut because I [know] a lot of them and [was] close with them. Also, some people were upset that some, like me, got multiple roles, and they were kind of confused by that,” Driessen said.   

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The actors and actresses have put many hours into the play to make sure that it is completely prepared by opening night. “When it comes to opening night, all of that hard work is worth it to be on stage and feel the energy in the crowd and show something that we are proud of,” Driessen said.

This hard work and commitment to the theater department has brought the small cast even closer than before. “We are all very close and supportive of each other, especially when trying new things. We are like a little family in the theater department,” Driessen said.

Maya Berg really enjoys being part of such a small cast. “That small of a cast really helps with the general atmosphere and relationships between actors, because it is so few of people it is really easy to have a personal relationship with each other,” Berg said.

The opening night is Friday, October 30 at 7 pm, and there will be two more performances on Saturday, October 31 at 7 pm and Sunday, November 1 at 2 pm.