The actors are immersed in the process of theater as they prepare for their production of Little Shop of Horrors which opens November 17 at the Historic Franklin Opera House. Little Shop is a horror comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. The story follows a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh. The musical is loosely based on the low-budget 1960 film The Little Shop of Horrors. The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, includes several well-known tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour".
Our actors include some Franklin stage veterans and some outstanding newcomers. Juniors Noah Alers-Alers and Lillian Corrow are playing Seymour and Audrey and will certainly leave you in awe. They are backed up by the amazing Do Wop Girls which include Olivia Sylvester, Zoe Nagle, Leah Cote and Libby Femenella and the bad boy dentist Orin, played by senior Nick Gammel. Other cast members include high school students Angelia LaBrecque, Lily Buker, Kaia Roper and Victoria Valyou. The production also includes middle school students Noah Roper, Arden Greenrod, Isabelle Osorio, Alan Alers-Alers, Mackenna Trudel, Hunter LaFlamme and James Machos. FHS Alumni John Masse is stepping in to play Mr. Mushnik and FHS faculty member David Bedard is the voice of the Audrey II plant.
There are also many students working behind the scenes and learning all aspects of technical theater including costuming, sound, lighting, props, make-up, set construction and even puppetry. There are two high school art classes: Puppetry and Sculpture, in which students are designing and creating various puppets and other pieces that will be used in the production.
Students meet 3 times a week for 2-3 hours to rehearse and perfect their craft and their performances. Tickets are on sale now and stay tuned for more updates and photos as the production creeps closer to November 17- 20! Go to www.franklinoperahouse.org for more information or to purchase tickets now!
Lillian Corrow singing Somewhere That's Green
Seymour (Noah Alers-Alers) offers support to Audrey (Lillian Corrow)
