News Photo by Diane Speer The cast and crew for Alpena High School Masquers Club’s spring production, “Midsummer/Jersey,” includes front left, Gabrielle Bourgeois, Caitlynn Shadbolt, Connie Fluharty, Dani Losinski, Iven Brown, Joey Lanier, Ludovica Brambilla, Ryan Heath, Samantha Brooks, Olivia Martin and Thomas Jore. In the back row are Jon Prevo, Zoe McKim, Cameron Meicher, Olivia Losinski, Madeline Young, Angelina Burcar, Avery Burrone, Ashlyn Schaedig, Adriana Helinski, Luise Paditz, Isabel Luther, Olivia Gerhart and Katie Kurowski. Not pictured are Josh Rasmussen, Rose Jasman, Miriam Denstaedt and Ben Loewe.

What do you get when you cross the MTV reality show, “Jersey Shore,” with Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream?”

The answer is “Midsummer/Jersey,” Alpena High School Masquers Club’s newest production opening Thursday.

Written by playwright Ken Ludwig, it’s considered a hilarious high-octane re-telling of Shakespeare’s famous work, but set on the boardwalk of a seaside town in modern-day New Jersey. The story revolves around the impending marriage of the governor of New Jersey, the love affairs of four beach-bound high school crushes, a lively crew of fairies and the staff of the local beauty salon.

Serving as co-directors are Masquers Club members Iven Brown and Connie Fluharty.

“It’s a comedy drama mix. It can be super serious at times, but also an absolute laugh,” said Brown of the show that contains some poetic dialogue, frequent recitations of authentic quotes and many pop culture references.

Fluharty said there’s a lot going on in the show, which takes a magical turn when Oberon and the impish Puck arrive on the scene armed with a powerful love potion and a desire for mischief making. “Midsummer/Jersey” also features a large cast.

“We have some seniors who have been in plays every single year and some who are newcomers,” Fluharty said. “Everyone in the show is amazing.”

Performances will be held Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at both 2 and 7 p.m. The production is roughly two hours in length.

Masquers Club Adviser Andrea Linton said the students have had to work extra hard getting ready for opening night because of missing so much school due to inclement weather.

“They have been kicking it into high gear to pull this off,” she said.

Among those putting in a lot of time are actors Ryan Heath and Thomas Jore, who will appear the following week in Alpena Civic Theatre’s production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.” Heath plays a major role in both productions, including Rosencrantz in the ACT show and one of the four love main interests in “Midsummer/Jersey.” Jore plays a soldier at ACT and Mia’s father, Rufus, at AHS.

“It’s been a challenge line-wise with memorization and with doing two separate shows at once,” Heath said. “But it’s really fun to do because I love theater.”

Tickets for the Masquers Club production will be available at the door.