Mount Vernon High School will be presenting “Little Shop of Horrors” as a fall musical, today (Thursday, Sept. 7), Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10. Sept 7 and 9 are 7 p.m. showtimes, with Sept. 10 being a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets are available for $10 in advance via mvhstheatre.booktix.com or available at the door for general admission.
Director Tom Stephens said this is a musical he and Thad Wilkins have been wanting to do for a number of years.
“It just doesn’t have the large cast that our spring musicals usually have,” Stephens said. “This is just a perfect fit for a fall musical for our program.”
One of the challenges is that the performance requires working with puppets of varying sizes through the course of the show, which is something new and different for students.
“It’s just a musical almost everyone knows,” Stephens said. “It’s a campy 1980s musical. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and just is an enjoyable night at the theaters.”
Mollie Snedden, a senior, plays Chiffon, one of the chorus trio.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to work with people new to the program or those returning for another year,” Snedden said.
Her biggest challenge has been embracing Chiffon’s energy on stage.
“She’s a big storyteller with a lot of enthusiasm in telling this story,” Snedden said.
Emma Hoffman, a sophomore, plays Ronnette, another of the doo-wop trio.
“I’ve enjoyed the community we have on this cast,” Hoffman said.
Skye Rodman plays Audrey II in the production, which has some challenges.
“I try to make sure I’m acting in a way that comes across even if I’m not visible on stage,” Rodman said. “That comes through a lot more in my vocal choices as this plant.”
Rodman said this is a very fun and very jazzy performance.
“I love having the ability to scream and be a bad guy in a performance,” Rodman said.
Senior Charlie Krob plays Audrey in this musical.
“There’s really a lot for me to do in this performance,” Krob said. “It’s fun to be a character that has most of their lines turned into music.”
Of course, that’s also the challenge for Krob, as this is one of her first large roles in a musical theatre.
“There are also a lot of jokes or lines that are outdated references that I’ve had to look up,” Krob said.
Ninth-grader Chester Rood plays a member of the chorus.
“I really enjoy singing as part of the ensemble in this musical,” Rood said. “Especially the finale number. That’s got a lot of great energy.”
Remembering his parts in different songs has been a minor challenge for the show, since he missed three days of practice due to vacation.
“It’s a fun show, a great way to spend the evening,” Rood said.
“It’s a rousing, good time as a show,” Rodman said.
“It’s so fun and entertaining,” Krob said. “It’s goofy, it has somethings for kids and adults to enjoy.”
“It’s really important to support the arts in our community,” Hoffman said. “This is an out of the world show that is also very funny.”
“It is such a different musical than ‘Beauty and the Beast’ or others we’ve done,” Snedden said. “All the songs in it are still really good.”
Cast list
Seymour – Luke Stephens
Audrey – Charlie Krob
Mushnik – Penelope Vig
Orin Scrivello, DDS – Cyrus Johnson
Audrey II – Skye Rodman
Chiffon – Mollie Snedden
Crystal – Claire Jensen
Ronnette – Emma Hoffman
Ensemble – Edith Dawson, Emmett Jordan, Kylie Pyatt, Korah Jo Robinson, Chester Rood, Anna Vavricek
Stage manager – Megan Teague
Director – Tom Stephens
Music director – Thad Wilkins
Cast for Little Shop of Horrors Cast list Seymour – Luke Stephens Audrey – Charlie Krob Mushnik – Penelope Vig Orin Scrivello, DDS – Cyrus Johnson Audrey II – Skye Rodman Chiffon – Mollie Snedden Crystal – Claire Jensen Ronnette – Emma Hoffman Ensemble – Edith Dawson, Emmett Jordan, Kylie Pyatt, Korah Jo Robinson, Chester Rood, Anna Vavricek Stage manager – Megan Teague Director – Tom Stephens Music director – Thad Wilkins
Mount Vernon High School presents ‘Little Shop of Horrors’
September 7, 2023
About the Contributor
Nathan Countryman, Editor
Nathan Countryman is the Editor of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.