A Squirrly Production to Air in the Pine Grove

PARODY ADVISORY *Please note that this article is part of the Ranchor (the Anchor’s satirical edition)!

The Hope College Theater Department is full of surprises this semester, from the success of The Hijabis to the Shakespearean classic Much Ado About Nothing (which will be available in November 2024).  But the biggest surprise of all comes from a very special new addition to the theater program: a group of local Hope College squirrels. For the first time since their 1962 production of Les Misérables, the squirrels of Hope College will be putting on a play of their own–a rendition of Romeo and Juliet that is set to air in the Pine Grove on February 13th, 14th, and 15th. “We figured that hibernation season would be the perfect time to rehearse,” says director Nutmeg Sequoia. “The play is about death, and everything is dead in the winter, so it just fits.  Plus, we have those few weeks where the students will be out for Christmas break and we’ll have the campus all to ourselves.”

The play–which has been retitled to Acornio and Susette–will be starring Scraps McCafferty and Maple Barker as the leading man and lady. “I really enjoy working with Scraps,” Barker commented when asked about her experiences with her co-star. “He’s a really talented actor, and always finds a way to make me laugh between scenes.”  The storyline is similar to that of the original Shakespearean masterpiece, with a few minor changes.  According to Sequoia, this play will unearth the origins of the feud between the two families: the Capunuts and the Pecantagues. “Nutmeg says that we’re not allowed to spoil anything,” McCafferty stated during an interview. “But it’s going to be a lot more action-packed than Shakespeare’s version.”

Of course, as with any production, Acornio and Susette has its fair share of bumps in the road–the biggest one being the costumes used for the squirrel’s show. Or, according to worried statements from faculty members, the lack thereof. “Some of the faculty is worried about the fact that our actors are only wearing fancy hats onstage,” says costume designer Autumn Raine. “Do you know how hard it is to put suits and dresses over our tails? They’re always getting in the way of things. Besides, my paws can only do so much.”

Tickets for the show will be available on February 8th. For more information, please email theatre@hope.edu or nutmegsequoiaproductions@gmail.com. We can’t wait to see you there!

(Featured image source: Animalia)