Lisbon is taking audiences down to Skid Row with their take on “Little Shop of Horrors” today (Thursday, April 24) through Sunday, April 27. The shows begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Lisbon Auditorium, with tickets $10 at the door.

“Little Shop of Horrors has always been a favorite of mine,” said director Grant Freeman. “I’ve performed in it before and have listened to the soundtrack since I first got my start in theatre.”

Freeman said when Mount Vernon finished their production two years ago, Tom Stephens and the Velvet Curtain MVHS Theatre Program donated their set to Lisbon in order to make the Lisbon production possible.

“I am indebted to his kindness,” Freeman said. “ And so, the puppets have been lying in wait all over the school in preparation for our production.”

Being a small but mighty theater group has had some issues. Freeman noted that this year did not see a male audition who would fit the role of Seymour.

“We have gender-bended and cast Seymour as a young woman,” Freeman said. “Adapting in all of its various forms has been a learning process. All of our students have had to adapt in one form or another whether that’s to gender-bending roles, eighth grade/freshmen taking on leads, students in their first musicals, or students singing for their first time onstage.”

Kaitlynn Silver plays the role of Seymour Krebs.

“The difficulty is definitely in signing for a different vocal part,” Silver said.

She did say she has loved the role, however, as it’s forced her to expand her acting abilities.

Gracie Cummings plays the role of Audrey in the production.

“She is a totally different character than I usually play, so that has given me opportunities to expand and do more than the parts I usually play,” Cummings said.

Cummings did admit that the change of Seymour to being played by another girl has led to some adaptations in a couple songs that the cast are still working through in modernizing the adaptation.

Joey Watson plays dual roles of Crystal and Audrey II.

“It’s been so fun to play Audrey II in this show,” Watson said. “Audrey II has a completely different singing style than my other character, more of a jazzy rock style of music.”

The difficulty for Watson is playing these two different characters at the same time.

The show has a cast of thirteen, which Freeman said is hands on for this production.

“Many programs around the state have many more students in their productions, but I challenge any of them to have the same level of buy-in,” Freeman said. “We are at 100% buy-in, both cast and crew. Everyone wants to be here, works hard when they’re onstage and off, and cares deeply about the show and the program as a whole.”

“We all are taking part in this show,” Watson said. “We’re building a lot of this theater program and have put a lot of energy into this show.”

“It’s a really fun and funny show,” Silver said. “It’s also a bit on the shorter side for musicals.”

“I think supporting homegrown theatre is important,” Freeman said. “High school theatre can only thrive when its surrounding community shows their support. And this is the perfect little show. Filled with comedy, science fiction, and giant performances, both human and plant.”

Cast:

Seymour Krelborn – Kaitlyn Silver

Audrey – Gracie Cummings

Crystal/Audrey II – Joey Watson

Mrs. Mushnik – Riley Clark

Chiffon – Alyssa Hrabak

Ronnette – Hermione Chalupa

Orin Scrivello DDS – Gavin Lord

Ensemble – Peyton Appel, Kendall Hartelt, Ashlynn LeClere, Caroline Morris

Puppeteers – Lucas Curtis, Lillian Moeller

AD/SM – Payton Curtis