By TENA L. COOK
Marketing Coordinator
Chadron State College’s Theatre Department will present the first production of the fall semester, Little Shop of Horrors, Oct. 7-9 at 7 p.m. and Oct 10 at 2 p.m. in Memorial Hall’s Auditorium. Tickets are required, but are free and can be reserved in advance at csc.edu/theatre.
In Little Shop of Horrors, meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names Audrey II after his co-worker crush. The foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent towards global domination.
Levi O’Dell said he is excited to play Seymour.
“I love getting to interact with each and every other actor in different ways and helping bring the show to life. There’s a lot happening, especially as Seymour, and it can be hard to remember notes, words, choreography, and blocking all at the same,” O’Dell said.
Aubrey Garrett said playing Audrey is an awesome role that has let her stretch her musical and theatrical abilities.
“Audrey is a very fun character and when mixed with the rest of this absolutely talented and amazing cast, Audrey is so fun. A challenge I’ve faced is having to do most of my show in heels and figuring out how to make that, which is not something I commonly do, look natural,” Garrett said.
Cheyenne Bacon will be the voice of Audrey II, represented by a series of four puppets as it grows.
“I’m excited about the dynamics between characters. Audrey II and Seymour have a special relationship and it’s fun to play on that. I think one of my big challenges is keeping everything under wraps. The director is taking the show in an interesting direction and I cannot wait to see how audiences will react,” Bacon said.
Three students, Ashley Jackson, Erin Hayhurst, and Rayne Charging Thunder, portray urchins similar to a 60’s singing group.
“They dance and sing fantastic three-part harmonies throughout the show. They are going to blow the roof off,” said Interim Director of Theatrical Performances Michael Susko, who is directing the show.
Jackson said she is looking forward to performing with Hayhurst and Charging Thunder.
“I feel really lucky to be paired with two strong singers. Our voices blend so well together. The most challenging part is remembering our choreography, harmonies, and lyrics, and putting those elements all together,” Jackson said.
Hayhurst said she is eager to work with her fellow actors.
“I’ve always loved musicals and I think this role incorporates all of my favorite parts of musical theatre. The biggest challenge is remembering all of the words, harmonies, and choreography of all of our different scenes throughout the show,” Hayhurst said.
Charging Thunder said she looks forward to bringing her character to life in a way that helps bring the show more depth.
“Being an urchin serves a big purpose, and I’m glad I get to share the experience with Erin and Ashley. They’re such fun to work with and have amazing talent,” Charging Thunder said.
Jarret Buchholz said he is pleased to get to play numerous characters ranging from random customers to a sadistic dentist.
“My biggest challenge is going to be differentiating each character. Giving them all unique personalities and voices will be a lot of work but also a lot of fun,” Buchholz said.
Zach Wellnitz said he anticipates expanding his acting abilities to play the character Mushnik.
“Since Mushnik is a character I would not normally play, it has proven difficult at some points. Since he’s this larger than life character, and I’ve been learning how to make a character realistic, it’s been hard to go back and make him into this comedic non-realistic person,” Wellnitz said.
Little Shop of Horrors, originally a movie in the 1960s is still running off Broadway, according to Susko.
As part of CSC’s annual Theatre Day, about 250 high school students from Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado will see the production Oct. 7. The day also includes sessions taught by CSC students, faculty and theatre professionals in stage combat, musical theatre, costume and lighting design, creating characters, improvisation, makeup, and staging techniques.
Susko resides in New York City and is an award-winning director, choreographer, playwright, and educator. His work has taken him around the globe mounting productions such as Les Miserables and Mary Poppins, Forever Plaid, and Godspell.
As a performer, he has been in Broadway national tours, European tours, and regional appearances. He has also been in films, TV shows and commercials.
As an educator, Susko served as head of the theatre program at Southern Arkansas University. He also teaches playwriting at ATC Studios in Clifton, New Jersey. His students have gone on to perform in Broadway and national companies including The Lion King, Mean Girls, Beetlejuice, Gigi, Motown, Bring It On, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, and Rocky. Susko earned a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Goddard College, and a bachelor’s Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory.
Cast
Seymour: Levi O’Dell of Piedmont, S.D.
Audrey: Aubrey Garrett of Alliance.
Mushnik: Zack Wellnitz of Rushville.
Orin: Jarret Buchholz of Arnold.
Audrey II: Cheyenne Bacon of Lewellen.
Chiffon: Ashley Jackson of Mitchell.
Ronnette: Rayne Charging Thunder of Gordon.
Crystal: Erin Hayhurst of Scottsbluff.
Crew
Brennan Ackerman of Box Elder, S.D.
Olivia Behrends of Wauneta.
Olivia Freeze of Bridgeport.
Kyeisha Garza of Scottsbluff.
Reidun Hammer of Dubois, Wyo.
Chris Lidgett of Norfolk.
Isabelle Lucius of Gering.
Trista Topil of Lincoln.
Halle Smith of Wheatland, WY
Isabella Ashley of Box Elder, S.D.