Little Shop of Horrors is a rousing success
Blackduck High School presented three public performances of the musical dark comedy, Little Shop of Horrors last weekend to sellout crowds and standing ovations.
A cast and crew of 33 students under the direction of Jennifer Parker and Assistant Director Kari Slindee wowed the crowds with foot stomping musical numbers and incredible set and the amazing man-eating plant system called the Audrey 2.
The plants were created at Anderson Fabrics factory under the guidance of Anderson artisans Eric Weller, Kaleb Leinbach and Miriam Osborn with the assistance of many other Anderson employees, the student work crew, Parker, high school art teacher Kory Greiner and community artisan, Sandy Kalvig.
Matthew Jedlicka carried the lead role of Seymour like a Broadway superstar and brought down the house in his duets with "the plant," operated by Mike O'Reilly and vocalized by James Bruno. Tyler Dobmeier cracked audiences up with his portrayal of Orin Scrivello, the sadistic dentist.
Jay Cheney brought the character of mean boss, turned opportunistic adoptive dad -- Mr. Mushnik and Emily Biberg elicited both laughs and tears and the irrepressible and romantic, Audrey -- for whom the plant is named.
The Urchin Chorus, comprised of Maile Olson, Kristie Slindee, Jenna Nestberg, Michaela Holmgren and Mackenzie Stenson carried the plot forward with their musical storytelling and observations of the unfolding horror taking place in an innocent Skid Row floral shop.
The production was definitely one of BHS's most successful and well attended to date and everyone involved was sorry to see it come to an end. Students in the play and on the crew will be honored at an awards ceremony Nov. 20.
