There is something lurking within the bowels of Woodland Hills High School. Something with an insatiable appetite.
Her name is Audrey II, and she has one demand: FEED ME!
On December 6 and December 7, audiences witnessed the horror as Audrey II came to life in the high school performing arts class production of the classic “Little Shop of Horrors.”
This full production was directed, choreographed, costumed, and performed by students in the high school’s performing arts class under the watchful eye of teachers Mr. Reid Burnes, Mr. Robert Carr, and Mrs. Alicia Scaramuzzo.
Originally a black comedy film in released in the 1960s, “Little Shop of Horrors” was first produced as an Off-Broadway musical in 1982. It spurred multiple future versions, including a 1986 film. The musical shares the story of Seymour, a meek worker in a run-down florist shop who unwittingly discovers a strange plant with a taste for something more than water and plant food.
Seymour is smitten with coworker Audrey, who is in a toxic relationship with sadistic dentist Orin, and Seymour names the odd plant after his crush. One day, Seymour pricks his finger on the plant’s thorns and makes a shocking discovery that forever changes the lives of him, Audrey, Orin, shop owner Mr. Mushnick, and the entire world.
The cast featured Leo Alfieri as Seymour, Summer Curtright and Olivia Safran as Audrey, Liam Blaney as Mr. Mushnik, Adam Steiner and Isaac Lott as Orin, Carmella DeVore as Audrey II’s puppeteer, Zacharias Barron as the voice of Audrey II, Arianna Gaiter as Ronnette, Alexia Abernathy and Aryana Booker-Gamez as Crystal, Zuri Rue and Zion Rumble as Chiffon, and Calise Cowans and Olivia Davidson as Ruby.
Hayden Crum, Caroline Elston, Mackenzie McPherson, Aubrie Moon, Livia Rocco, and Giavonna Zinn were the urchins. The cast also included Makenzie Davis as a customer, Jae Saunders as Bernstein, Delaney Cass as Mrs. Luce, Nevaeh Cauley and Roo Horst as Snip, Em Phillips as Martin, Devontez Moses as DJ, and Noelle Brubaker, TT Sallie-Nelson, and Peyton Sarafis as the winos.
The student set designer was Carmella DeVore, the student director was Em Phillips, the student choreographer was Giavonna Zinn, and the student costume designer was Calise Cowans. Pit musicians were staff members and volunteers Bobby Carr, Luke DeVore, Dale Hertrick, Lora Hertrick, Jamar Lee, Katie Miller, Alicia Scaramuzzo, and Kevin Vargo.
The Woodland Hills Performing Arts Department’s next show is the junior musical, “Something Rotten,” on January 16, January 17, and January 18. The spring musical is “Hairspray” and will run from April 24 to May 3.