Catawba College’s Shuford School of Performing Arts’ first musical of the season, “Little Shop of Horrors,” opens Friday.
“Little Shop of Horrors” 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 costs Seymour and the rest of Skid Row?
“Little Shop of Horrors” opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre in July 1982.
When it closed in November 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.
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.
Cast members include Terrell Jones as Seymour; Leanna Hicks as Audrey; Caleb Garner as Mr. Mushnik; Pen Chance as Orin, the Dentist; Holly Fuller as Crystal; Maggie Saunders as Ronnette; Jean White as Chiffon; Daniel Brown as Audrey II; Lara Williams as the plant puppeteer; Jordan Abbatiello as the male swing; and Michelle Newberger as the female swing.
Catawba College theatre arts faculty members Joe Hernandez and Meredith Fox serve as director and choreographer, respectively.
Catawba alumnus John Stafford is the music director, while senior Allison Andrews serves as assistant director.
Other crew members include Forest Fugate, stage manager, as well as Samantha Erwin and Victoria Whetzel , assistant stage managers.