Fall theatre production premieres Wed., Oct 1 – Sun., Oct. 5 in conjunction with Homecoming & Family Weekend.
By Melissa Fowler '09
For the first time in Virginia Wesleyan theatre history, the fall production of Little Shop of Horrors, will premiere Wed., Oct. 1 – Sun., Oct. 5 in conjunction with Homecoming & Family Weekend.
Travis Malone, director of the show and assistant professor of theatre, hopes that showing the play the same weekend as the Homecoming festivities will help broaden parents' understanding of Virginia Wesleyan as a liberal arts college.
"The arts are a direct expression of our academic pursuits at the College," Malone said. "This production gives our community an understanding of what goes on in the arts and academics at Virginia Wesleyan."
Malone chose Little Shop of Horrors not only because it is one of his favorite musicals, but also because he felt it was a show that parents would recognize and enjoy. He also thought it was a show that the cast and crew could prepare and be ready for by the beginning of October. Auditions were held August 25, with rehearsals beginning just days later.
Alen Menken and Howard Ashman's Little Shop of Horrors is a dark musical comedy that tells the tale of a timid plant shop worker and the lengths to which he goes to feed his own ambition, and the ambition of his blood-thirsty plant. Additional characters include a damsel in distress, a sadistic dentist and a giant singing plant.
"It is a dark comedy and satire at its most biting. It is endearing, and shows the lengths one man goes to for fame, fortune and love." - Travis Malone, director of the production "It is a dark comedy and satire at its most biting," Malone said. "It is endearing, and shows the lengths one man goes to for fame, fortune and love."
Stephanie Drinkard '11 from Chesapeake, Va. , plays Audrey the plant shop worker. Audrey is naïve and sweet, and is described as a blonde who gets beat up on a lot.
Drinkard's biggest challenge for this production is not only the short time frame of preparing for a fall production, but also the college atmosphere. She played Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors in high school, and can already see a difference between high school and college theatre. Despite the intensity, Drinkard is excited to perform.
"We are doing a song in the score that was cut out the last time I performed," said Drinkard. "The song is hard for me so I am nervous about that part of the show."
Although there may only be eight performers, Little Shop of Horrors is a technical show with roughly a dozen people on the tech crew.
The second biggest challenge to the performance is the giant singing and dancing plant, played by Director of Recreational Sports and Outdoor Activities Jason Seward '05.
"My character is big, bad, mean and green, and I'm not talking about the Hulk," said Seward. Seward describes his character as "very sneaky and persuasive. But it's a lot of fun to play and I think people will be blown away when they see the production," he said.
Malone encourages people to see the production, not only for an enjoyable night at the theatre, but also because Hofheimer Theatre is an especially good venue for performances.
"Our space lends itself well to this kind of performance because of the intimate space," he said.
Kirk Jeter '09 from Herndon, Va., a student who has performed in a play at Virginia Wesleyan before, plays the masochist dentist. Jeter describes his experience as challenging, but a lot of fun.
"I wish we could videotape the rehearsals," he said. "They are hilarious and we have a lot of fun."
Little Shop of Horrors will be performed Oct. 1 – 4 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 4 and 5 at 2 p.m. in Virginia Wesleyan's Hofheimer Theatre. Admission is $10 and is free to Virginia Wesleyan students, faculty and staff. Reservations are strongly encouraged as shows sell out quickly. For reservations, please call 757.455.3381.
09.24.08