SJHS presents <i>Little Shop of Horrors</i>

Spring is just around the corner and flowers are starting to bloom, but whatever you do, don’t feed the plants! Why not? Because they might just be killer plants from outer space.
The San Juan High School Drama Department is proud to present its spring production Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman on February 25, 26, 28 and March 1 beginning at 7 p.m. in the SJHS auditorium.
“I really didn’t want to do another musical, since we had just finished Will Rogers Follies, but I have the “perfect” cast and knew if I didn’t do it now, I probably never would,” said drama teacher Ann Jennings.
“The cast and crew are amazing and have worked incredibly hard to pull this off in a short amount of time. I also have Becca Black as my student director and she has blown me away – I’m so glad that I’ll have her back next year, too.”
Little Shop of Horrors is the story of Seymour Krelborn (played by Wheeler Heck). Seymour is in love with Audrey (McKenzie Adams), who has an abusive boyfriend, Orin Scrivello D.D.S. (Nathan Webb). Seymour also works for the unappreciative Mr. Mushnik (Elijah Palmer) at the Skid Row Florist Shop.
That all changes, however, when Seymour buys a “strange and exotic plant” that he names Audrey II (voiced by Austin Seiter and puppeteered by Kortney Johnson).
Almost instantly, the plant brings him fame and fortune, and most importantly, the girl. The only problem is that the plant needs blood, human blood, to survive.
“This play is definitely not what I expected it to be,” said Seiter. “It’s a lot of fun to do and fun to watch. I think the audience will get a kick out of it.”
Jennings said that the hardest part of the play is the Audrey II puppets.
“I had looked into renting them, but the cheapest was $1,200 minimum for renting the puppets and that didn’t include shipping,” said Jennings.
“I lucked out at the recent Utah Theater Association conference when I met Wade Arave from Canyon View High School in Cedar City. He had done the play last year and was willing to rent me his plants for only $300 if someone could drive over and pick them up.
“Debbie and Mark Christiansen were going that way anyway and offered to pick them up for us.”
Other cast members of the spring production include Samantha Bergeman, Alana Benallie and Liz Meyer as the “Do Wop Girls”; Koy Nielson as Mr. Bernstein; Victoria Black as Mrs. Luce; Garrett Barton as Skip Snip; and Brittany Bleak as Patricia Martin.
“This play is perfectly cast,” said Benallie. “and the music will rock your socks.”
Crew members for Little Shop include Brandon Johnson, Tryston Kartchner and Taylor Kartchner on lights and sound; Morgan Howe as stage director; Jessica McDaniel and Cooper Nielson as stage crew; and AmiLi Noirot as House Manager.
“I was really freaking out not having Michael (Hawkins) doing my sound and lights, but this new crew has really stepped it up and I’m really proud of them,” said Becca Black.
Cost for the show is $25 for families, $5 for students/ children/ seniors, and $7 for adults. There will be no reserved seating for this production. However, Jennings said that if you have special needs, to call her and specific seats can be saved. Jennings can be reached at 678-1387.
And remember, no matter what they offer you, don’t feed the plants!