Spring 1997: Little Shop of Horrors
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Little Shop of Horrors is the story of Seymour, a hard-luck orphan living on Skid Row in the care of Mr. Mushnik, the Skid Row florist. He has a fondness both for strange and interesting plants and Audrey, a fellow employee, who just happens to be dating the sadistic dentist that 5-year-olds have nightmares about. One day, Seymour finds an alien plant that just happens to feed on human blood. A series of murders ensues to feed Audrey II, as business booms at the flower shop and Seymour wins the love of the human Audrey. And onward to a tragic ending. It has been said that this is a show about the evils of capitalism and that it actually does have a message. Or you can look at it as we do - it's a show about a plant that eats people.
Cast
Kamesha Smith
Amanda Beer
Jeanette Byrd
Amanda Cane
Gabriel Smolarz
Aran Cravey
James Seol
Jason Baker
Cesar Guadamuz
Alton P. Clark
Jim Haley
Holly Jean Newman
Jessie Andary
Ilana Schawartzman
Joelle Heise
Scott Steuber
Elizabeth Coy
Pete Eubanks
Susan Warner
Shirelle
Ronnette
Crystal
Chiffon
Mr. Mushnik
Audrey
Seymour
Orin
Audrey II
Voice Not Unlike The Voice Of God
Interviewer
Customer
Ms. Bernstein
Skip Snip
Mrs. Luce
Patrick Martin
Featured Dancer
Featured Dancer
Featured Dancer
Pit
Musical Director
Assistant Musical Director
Piano
Drums
Guitar
Bass
Jason Strong
Audrey Toth
Mike Dombrow
Scott Greene
Matt Trone
Tom Jeon
Technical Staff
Dave "Tech" Dave Perkinson
Darby Kimball
Rosie Forrest
Dave "Light" Dave Conlon
Ian Michael Toner
Ann Marie Czaban
Lessa Norman
Tracy Wantuck
James Tobin
Adam Jones
Lana Vu
Dave "Actor" Dave Burnett
Dave "Tech" Dave Perkinson
Shelley Cavalieri
Riss Bregilo
Karen Lee
Nicki Shekalus
Kate Van Dyke
Irene Jacoub
Missie McFarlane
Will Slusher
Kate Van Tassel
Lana Vu
Ben Jamieson
Emily Clinger
Amanda Douberly
Nakia Eckley
Erin McCool
Natalie Shioji
Ben Jamieson
Renee LeFebure
Eugene Peysakh
Scott Talbert
Matthew Gordon
Technical Director
Assistant Technical Director
Assistant Technical Director
Master Electrician
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Propmistress
Propmistress
Props
Puppeteer
Puppeteer
Puppeteer
Set Designer
Assistant Set Designer
Scenic Artist
Run Crew Chief
Backstage Manager
Backstage Manager
Run Crew
Lighting Staff
Sound Staff
Electric Staff
Artistic Staff
Director
Assistant Director
Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Vocal Director
Assistant Vocal Director
Choreographer
Assistant Choreographer
Rehearsal Pianist
Costumes
Costumes
Katie Brown
Tai Burkholder
Tillman Breckenridge
Jessica Kavina
Jason Strong
Erinanne Smith
Emily Heil
Beth Miller
Mike Dombrow
Katie Walters
Katie Wanschura
Production Staff
Producer
Assistant Producer
Business Manager
Assistant Business Manager
Publicity Chair
Fundraising Chair
Social Chair
Historian
Business Staff
Business Staff
Business Staff
Business Staff
Business Staff
Brian Kraft
Catherine Ruffin
Tom Cottrill
Miriam Leonard
Stephanie Timmons
Erica Forsch
Tracy Sykes
Jennifer Little
Leona Clague
Amber Dickerson
Brian Rosman
Audrey Cleary
Stephanie Schlueter
Director's Notes
I don't even know where to begin. What can you say about watching a dream grow into a reality?Little Shop of Horrors has been a labor of love: a love for theatre and for First Year Players, and for this hilarious rock musical.
I could spend my director's note telling you what Little Shop of Horrors REALLY means, "it is about capitalism, and power, and manipulation. It shows exactly how far someone can be driven by the thought of money and what greed can do to human nature." Or, I can tell you that "it is about a singing plant that eats people." In our production, we have tried to reconcile the two meanings within the bounds of reality and musical theatre.
For me, Little Shop is about the sweet and unfortunate characters of Skid Row. They have become real to me, and every time I watch this show they make me laugh and they make me cry. They are satirical, but they represent something that is a part of all of us.
How can I say thank you? This show would have been impossible without the help of many people. First and foremost, I probably would have lost my sanity without Tai, my trusty assistant director, and Jessica and Tillman, the dynamic stage managing duo. In addition I would like to thank Brian Kraft for his endless support, David Perkinson for patiently dealing with my stage design neurosis, and Mike Dombrow for faithfully playing the piano.
Special thanks go to my family, friends, and roommates for putting up with me, and for coming out for the production (and especially to my wonderful mom, who is a great creative liaison). Finally I would like to thank the most talented bunch of first-years I have ever come across. They have worked so hard to help pull this production together.
Welcome to Skid Row. I sincerely hope that you all enjoy the Little Shop of Horrors as much as I have.
Katie Brown