It’s true that plants are known to brighten a room, but are they slowly stealing the roles of human actors and actresses?
At Patriot High School’s "Little Shop of Horrors" musical, performed May 4, the vampire-like plant, Audrey II, had the audience’s full attention. However, it was the actors who brought the plant and show to life.
Junior Anne Oyhenart, as the voice of Audrey II, and sophomore Gabe Yelanjian, as the plant's master puppeteer, enlivened the man-eating plant through song and dance.
“I was actually singing back stage (as Audrey II), while Gabe was in the plant. It was vocally stressful to push myself, but at the same time, I love to be vocally challenged. If I get tea and rest for a day, then I’m good,” Oyhenart said.
The production of "Little Shop" still ran smoothly, according to director Kathryn Facemire, despite the large cast, and larger task of building Audrey II in various sizes.
“Really, I’m always proud of every success, but watching everyone work together in unison was one of the best parts. With a cast of forty-two, you expect issues and cliques, but there wasn’t,” Facemire said. And, while Audrey II took over three months to design and
build, "she" was completed before opening night.
“We got the plants at the beginning of last week, because they were still being worked on," said Kaelin Carreiro, who played Audrey, "Little Shop's" leading lady. "We kind of pretended they were there (in practice), but as soon as they arrived, everyone adapted,” Carreiro said.
And where Audrey II brought the element of fright to the show, actors had to overcome their own stage fright.
Playing the role of the sadistic dentist, junior Carl Stover had the audience in stitches without the help of his trusty laughing gas. However, while he had a blast getting into character, he said it was quite nerve-racking being on stage in front of a large audience.
“I was just as nervous getting off stage as I was going on stage. The cast told me I did great, which made the whole ordeal a little better, but I didn’t truly know how I did 'til afterwards when I got to hear what the audience and Mrs. Facemire thought,” Stover said.
However, Stover knew his cast mates also set high standards for their performances.
“I knew they'd still be there to support me, just as I would for them. I've been lucky enough in this show to have had the best people to work with. I dare anyone else to find people better than (them),” Stover said.
Unlike many of his cast members, Casey Thomas, who played Bernstein, said he was not nervous about performing.
“I have been acting and singing ever since I was seven, so I’m used to being on stage. I felt very happy and excited because the show went smoothly. Plus, I love to sing!” Thomas said.
The musical’s ending was the most surprising for the audience. The movie "Little Shop of Horrors" had somewhat of a ‘cliché’ ending compared to the stage portrayal -- which ended more tragically. However, audience members and performers agreed the theater version kept the story line ‘school-appropriate’ while adding originality.
According to Facemire, "'Little Shop of Horrors" was Patriot’s fifth show this school year.
“There can be another five shows expected next year,” Facemire said.
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