Behind the Scenes of Little Shop of Horrors
After the change to two musicals for fall and spring, Peter Fournier chose to direct Little Shop of Horrors as this year’s fall musical. Throughout the six weeks of rehearsals, the cast, including Nuala Cleary (Audrey), Grady Johnson (Seymour Krelboyne), Frank Scott (Mr. Mushnik), Zach Solon (Audrey II) and Daniel Zak (Orin Scrivello, DDS), have been making many preparations to make Little Shop come alive. The shows will be playing on November 3-5, at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on November 6.
Fournier had been directing for five years before deciding to go back to his alma mater to direct student productions. After seeing the show up to Legally Blonde, Fournier, along with administration, decided to make this year’s productions both musicals. Many preparations have been made throughout the weeks of rehearsals to prove this choice.
A musical about a small town floral shop, ran by Mr. Mushnik, which is beginning to fail, and Seymour’s new plant, who just might turn the shop’s business upside down, but with a bit of a twist. Along comes a budding romance between Seymour and Audrey. Even though she is dating the abusive Orin, Seymour begins to raise this plant, Audrey II, as a gift to her. Something begins to seem off with Seymour and Audrey II. Considering the days that Seymour shows up to work with new band aids is also the days that Audrey II is healthy and alive. The comical and suspenseful musical that is the Little Shop of Horrors is bound to draw audiences in.
What is most clear to someone behind the scenes of this performance is how the off stage relationships spiraled into an amazing on-stage chemistry.
“What made me do it [join the musical] was the great group of people to be with and around,” said Cleary.
A simple storyline with a small cast and crew, shows only one side of the musicals yet to come. In rehearsals, everyone is doing something at all times because of the relationships throughout the storyline. A shared passion of acting and entertainment is something everyone will be able to feel through how advanced the cast’s performances are. Make sure to come support the PH Theater program this weekend!
Sofia Papadopoulos is currently a senior at Hills and the Editor-in-Chief alongside Eric Traub. Before becoming Editor in Chief, she spent her years at the Trailblazer as School News Editor and College Corner Editor while writing away for any section she could. She is very excited to continue writing articles and training underclassmen in her final year with her favorite club (and publication, of course)!
