Submitted Photo Silver Creek High School students rehearse for the upcoming family-friendly production of the rocking musical comedy "Little Shop of Horrors" on March 23-24.

SILVER CREEK — Planning for this month’s surreal, technically sophisticated musical at the village high school began about two years ago and the cast and crew are excited to share their talents and celebrate with the community.

The Performing Arts Department at Silver Creek High School will present “Little Shop of Horrors” on Friday and Saturday, March 22-23, 2019 at 7 p.m., with a special 2 p.m. matinee scheduled Sunday, March 24, 2019, in the district auditorium. The public is warmly invited to attend and support our talented students. The show is about 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission during which there will be a bake sale and flower sale as well as a basket raffle.

The production team has been working tirelessly on the production since before the start of the 2018-2019 academic year to present a quality show fit for the whole family.

“As we have rehearsed, we have watched our students grow into characters far from themselves,” says director and ELA teacher Carolyn Laurenzi. “We are saying the show is PG-13, but it’s nothing risque. After all, it is about a man-eating plant.”

THE PLOT

“Little Shop” is a sci-fi, rock musical about flower shop employee Seymour Krelborn, who is sick of his situation and asks for someone to show him a way out. His life is changed forever when he comes across a new breed of flytrap that seems to have come from another planet. Seymour names it Audrey II, after a woman he admires. Little does he know, Audrey II will give Seymour everything he ever wanted – but at a terrible price.

“It has certainly stood the test of modern times with its deep subject matter, funky music, and humor,” says Laurenzi.

The production consists of two acts jam-packed with songs. Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. The production is based on the 1986 film by Roger Corman with screenplay by Charles Griffith. Musical numbers include “Grow for Me,” “Ya Never Know,” “Feed me,” “Suddenly Seymour,” “Don’t Feed the Plants,” and “Somewhere that’s Green.”

WHO’S WHO

Cast: Riley Wilson as Seymour; Kristen Wielgasz as Audrey; Amanda Roth as Chiffon; Sameli Avila as Crystal; Ella Monaco as Ronnette; Lily League as Mrs. Mushnik; Noah Merchant as Audrey II; Owen Hastings as Orin and Mrs. Luce; Moraima Avila as Customer; Aneyshka Molina -Ruiz as Interviewer; Cindy Schwab as Bernstein; Mrs. Luce; Madison Mott as Skip Snip; Adriana Rosati as Patricia Martin; Jeffrey DeBergalis as Announcer. Ensemble includes: Alexiss Dawley, Olivia Delcamp, Amanda Ippolito, Gabriella Purdy.

“The talent these students exude is hard to match,” says Laurenzi. “They are dedicated and hard-working.”

Pit orchestra: Justin Cerne (bass); Damien Evans, Jason Ferguson, Andrea Olsen (trumpet); Tom Gestwicki (guitar); Brianna Hoige (drums); Tessa Karcz (percussion); Emily Merrill and Madison Miller (clarinet); Yanna Mott and Sophia Stalica (flute); and Fran Page (piano).

Production team: Carolyn Laurenzi (director/choreographer), Phillip McMullen (music director/producer), Kiersten Ferguson (pit conductor), Justin Cerne (set production), Russ Faraci (lighting/sound design), Olivia Watroba (stage manager), Grace Smith (poster/T-shirt/program cover design), Samantha Page (hair/makeup) and Phil Hastings (puppet design/construction).

Crew: Phillip McMullen (Audrey II/stage crew), Olivia Watroba (stage manager), Kris Herrmann (spotlight), Austin Manning (lights), Danielle Baez (costumes); Taylor Nehrbass, Kylie Procknal and Gracie Hoelzle (stagehands); Mikayla Clark and Daisy League (props), Samantha Page (hair/makeup); Ethan Brunner, Jon Cotton, Justin Didas, Sebastian Dole, Joseph Frost, Ethan Morton, Elias Rivera, Mackenzie Schmidt (set construction); and Jenna Miller, Braeden Woelben, Grace Smith, Makenzie Pagano, Chloe Morton, Amaya Slaght, Savannah Seeley, Jenna Gabel (set painting).

THANKS FOR THE HELP

The young thespians, musicians, crew members and their advisors are grateful for the support, money and raffle donations given to them from the district Board of Education, administration and staff.

Special thanks also go to The Performing Arts Booster Club, Paul Abate’s Independent Art class; Justin Cerne’s Applied Technology Class and Phillip McMullen’s Technical Theater class.

Community supporters include Graphics Geek, M&R Greenhouses as well as Michael and Michelle Grisanti of Sunset Bay Restaurant.

HOW TO SEE THE SHOW

Tickets are $5 for students/senior citizens and $8 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased by calling (716) 934-2603, ext. 2165; emailing claurenzi@silvercreekschools.org; or Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the district lobby. Tickets will also be on sale at the door. The ticket desk will be open an hour before the performances in the district lobby.