by Catawba Student, Maggie Saunders '15
Catawba College's Shuford School of Performing Arts first musical of the 2013-2014 season is "Little Shop of Horrors," playing at 7:30 pm. November 15-16 and 21-23, and at 2:30 p.m. November 17.
"Little Shop of Horror" tells the story of a shy and awkward employee, Seymour, who discovers an unknown plant that brings sudden success to a small, run-down flower shop on Skid Row. But how much will that success actually cost Seymour and the rest of Skid Row? Will Seymour be willing to pay the price?
Little Shop of Horrors opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre on July 27, 1982. When it closed on November 1, 1987, it was the third-longest running musical and the highest-grossing off-Broadway production. It won several awards including the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Also the winner of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, this up-beat rock musical gets attention of theatre-goers with its light-hearted music, but draws them in with the darker story it tells.
Seymour starts the action of the story when he presents his latest botanical discovery, the Audrey II, named for his attractive female co-worker. When the shop's owner, Mr. Mushnik, takes Audrey's advice to put Seymour's plant on display, his dying flower shop is revived and thrives. However, the audience soon realizes that the employees of the shop may not be the ones in control.
Based on the 1960 horror film of the same name that was directed by Roger Corman, this show offers music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman.
Cast members include Terrell Jones of Philadelphia, Pa., as Seymour; Leanna Hicks of Richmond, Va., as Audrey; Caleb Garner of Robbins as Mr. Mushnik; Pen Chance of Augusta, Ga., as Orin, the Dentist; Holly Fuller of Panama City Beach, Fla., as Crystal; Maggie Saunders of Huntington, W.Va., as Ronnette; Jean White of Bluffton, S.C., as Chiffon; Daniel Brown of Jacksonville as Audrey II; Lara Williams of Wellington, Fla., as the Plant Puppeteer; Jordan Abbatiello of Midland as the Male Swing; and Michelle Newberger of Lutz, Fla., as the Female Swing.
Catawba College theatre arts faculty members Joe Hernandez and Meredith Fox serve as director and choreographer, respectively, for "Little Shop of Horrors." Catawba alumnus John Stafford '90 is the music director, while senior Allison Andrews of Sherrills Ford serves as assistant director. Other crew members include Forest Fugate of Asheville, stage manager; and Samantha Erwin of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Victoria Whetzel of Vale, as assistant stage managers.
See "Little Shop of Horrors" in Catawba's Hedrick Little Theater November 15-16 & 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. or November 17 at 2:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $12 and student tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.catawba.edu/theatretix or at the box office on show nights. For more details, call the box office at (704) 637-4481.
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