Fourth and fifth-grade thespians are headed to the professional stage.

Southgate Elementary students will perform their spring play on the Paramount Theatre stage for the first time ever next week. Close to 50 fourth and fifth-graders will present “Where the Southgate Wild Things Are” Tuesday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. They will also put on a production at 1 p.m. for the entire Southgate student body and faculty.

“The students are really thrilled to perform at the Paramount,” said Lisa Deyo, Southgate teacher and director of the play. “It’s a really great play, and it’s going to be very fun and entertaining.”

The performance is based on the classic book by Maurice Sendak, with a few changes to suit the needs of Southgate’s young actors.

“In order to create more interest and length to the play, however, two scenes were added,” Deyo said.

Max, the main character, played by Sydney Bina, ventures beyond the book’s limits of the forest and the wild things into the underwater world of sea bubbles and sea creatures. This is done in black light for special effects. Then Max, along with his dog, Caleb Tapp, end up in space with space aliens and planets and even more special lighting. Narrators, Trenton Brown and Emily Martin, will keep the story moving for audience-members who may be unprepared for this new twist.

Pre-show acts include dancers, singers, instrumentalists and baton twirling.

“We are really excited about the entire production,” Deyo said.

The Southgate PTC and a student council Valentine candy sale have funded this endeavor. It will also be supported by a $1 ticket charge and the proceeds of video sales of the performance, provided by ViDeyo Arts.

“Where the Southgate Wild Things Are”

When: Tuesday, March 23

Where: The Paramount Theatre

125 Fourth Ave. NE

Tickets: $1