Woodland Theater Presents Little Shop of Horrors
By Lindsay Hawthorne
It’s not often Woodland Theater actors get to be swallowed whole by a giant, man-eating plant.
For certain actors in the show, the experience is definitely an interesting one, and also entertaining to the rest of the cast to watch.
The giant, man-eating plant, Audrey II, is represented in this production by numerous plant puppets of differing sizes. The puppets will be controlled by Senior Ollie Monti and voiced by Junior Catherine Pelky.
The plot of this show focuses around Seymour, played by Senior Eric Gomez, who has a talent for raising unusual plants. When he comes across this man-eating fly-trap, he’s conflicted about what to do…
Gomez commented about singing with the plant: “At first it was so weird because when I talk and sing with the plant I had to force myself not to look at Catherine who’s singing offstage, and look at the plant instead.”
However, Gomez added, “Now it’s just really fun, because when else are you going to sing with a talking flytrap?”
Despite numerous snow-day complications, rehearsals for Little Shop have been plowing ahead with that charismatic, chaotic intensity which always permeates the last couple weeks before a show.
All the actors are really getting to know their characters and truly becoming a part of the 1960s NYC setting. Charles Bethin, who plays shop-owner Mr. Mushnik, and Karlee Vogel, who plays Audrey, are both really enjoying putting on their “Skid Row” accents.
“Audrey is absolutely hilarious, and Karlee does such a great job playing her,” said Gomez, who also said that Little Shop of Horrors has always been one of his favorite shows.
“My favorite part is the finale,” Gomez enthused. “We end the show with a bang. …singing through it really makes you so pumped and energized,” he concluded.
The nearing of the show is bittersweet for seniors such as Gomez, Monti, Alyssa Korzon, Lindsay Hawthorne, Becca Grabowski, Alleyah Trottman and Kasey Smith. This is the last show at Woodland any of them will ever do.
“I’ve done every show since I was a freshman and I’ve grown so much as an actress since then,” Korzon commented. “I’m very happy with Little Shop of Horrors because it’s very unique from all the shows I’ve done at Woodland. I can’t believe it’s my last show at Woodland… this is it,” added Korzon sentimentally.
Woodland seniors got a glance at what the show is all about when Director and music teacher at Woodland Sean Lewis took advantage of a school assembly to place the massive plant puppet a sign to advertise show.
“I am excited to see the play!” commented senior Jami Archambeault.
There will be three shows: Friday April 5th at 7:30 pm, and Sat April 6th at 2:30 and 7:30 pm. Tickets are $5 for children under twelve and $10 for adults.
Woodland Theater hopes for a better turnout this year, because this show is a unique production that it would be shame for anyone to miss.
