Thespian Society musical takes center stage Wednesday, Thursday
GOWANDA — A ravenous plant, a meek and geeky protagonist, and a Greek chorus are preparing to delight audiences in the village in November.
The Thespian Society of the Gowanda Central School District has been working since June to present the community with a production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 7-8, 2018, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 10674 Prospect St. The public is warmly invited to attend; tickets cost $8 for adults or $5 for senior citizens and students. A special dress rehearsal performance, free to all senior citizens, is set Monday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m.
This sci-fi, rock musical tells the story of 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. The production consists of two acts jam-packed with song numbers separated by an intermission.
The cast includes Dustin Stark as Seymour, Delora Jones as Audrey, the voice of Andie Baco as Audrey II, Beth Stang as Bernstein, Jessup Donohue and Alexa Urbaniak as Chiffons; Kialeigh Bennett, Paige Gabel and Abby Marks as Crystals; Makayla Williams as Dream Audrey; Gabby Van Etten as Luce; Katarina Flaig as Ms. Mushnik; Austin Jankowski as Orin Scrivello; and Kristine Twoguns as Radio Interviewer. Emma Bouch, Matthew Booth, Rachel Colantino, Hanna Green, Michele Jackson, Kylie Lauer, Beth Stang, Taylor Valenti, Emagin Warrior, Kristen Warrior and Meredith Wheeler as People of Skid Row; Emma Christopher, Tia Moppert and Grace Wakefield as Ronnettes. Alex Neumeister portrays multiple roles as Customer/Mr. Martin/Skip Snip.
Artistic/Music director Matthew Bannister; co-music director is James Welch; co-producers are Adam Bett and Robin Smith; and choreographer is Laura Bannister. The book and lyrics are by Howard Ahsman with music by Alan Menken; based upon the film by Roger Corman and a screenplay by Charles Griffith.
A Class of 2019 dinner fundraiser coincides with the Nov. 7 opening night show. The senior class will host a Weidner’s Chicken Barbecue in the Middle School Cafeteria from 2:30 p.m. until the ending of the musical. Cost is $10 and there will be tables set up for people to dine before the musical begins. Pre-sale dinners must be picked up by 7:30 p.m.
Visit www.gowcsd.org for more information.