Wherefore art thou… Snooki? William Shakespeare takes a stroll down the New Jersey boardwalk in this fall’s Class IV Play production ofMidsummer/Jersey. This modern twist on Shakespeare’s story revolves around the impending marriage of the governor of New Jersey, the antics of four beach-bound high school crushes, a lively crew of fairies, and the staff of a local beauty salon.
The cast of more than 20 Class IV students informally began rehearsals by watching episodes of the MTV television show, The Jersey Shore. Stage managers Sophie Kaufman (II) and Jake Daniels (II) say that while the dialogue is not the original Shakespeare, the lines do rhyme. One cast member’s mother, who is a speech therapist and a Jersey native, helped the students nail down the unique Jersey accent.
The Class IV Play, a long-standing performing arts tradition at Milton, is an all-inclusive and beloved class project. Class IV students who are not on stage are contributing behind the scenes, acting as ushers, poster designers, or joining the audience in support of their classmates. Midsummer/Jersey shows in King Theatre this Thursday, November 14, and Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, November 16 at 7 p.m.
