Little Shop of Horrors
February 24-26, 2005
Rogers Building
Review and photos by Peggy Comeau
"It pulled you right in and just had an amazing flow to it – from the acting to the singing and dancing, comedy and emotional scenes. The beauty of this one though is that the actors and actresses are in high school!
My husband and I both agree that there was some amazing talent in the show."
~ Pam Swanick
"I liked the play. It was funny because the plant talked."
~ Alexa Sido, 6
"It was great! The songs were belted out with enthusiasm and talent, and the players all looked at home on the stage.
I had a blast. Thanks for the laughs."
~ Dennis Comeau
The Brewster community and the greater Wolfeboro community had a welcome mid-winter treat in the form of the gruesome but funny play Little Shop of Horrors performed by the drama department. This goofy musical about a nerd and his magical but bloodthirsty plant evoked lots of laughs from students and adults alike. Kudos to the members of this troupe, including those behind the scenes and director Dan Clay.
The considerable vocal talent of the students in this production was revealed to the surprise of many in the audience. While Weston Sager '05, Greg Donovan '06, Ashley Bilodeau '05, and the trio of Hollis Boyd '05, Martina Greenwood '08, and Katie O'Connell '05 all projected their good voices with ease and professionalism, the biggest surprise was Eric Reusche '06, the voice of the plant. Eric's voice was huge, mocking, and right on the mark for the evil and voracious Audrey II.
Sager's portrayal of the obsequious Seymour carried through to his smallest gestures – he was Seymour through and through. Sager made this demanding part look easy. Jared Anderson '06 as Mushnik looked like he was born to the role; his stage presence was excellent. Bilodeau, as the battered Audrey with a heart of gold, played out her part, complete with Brooklyn accent, with convincing melancholy. The three urchins (Boyd, O'Connell, and Greenwood) sang and danced with much attitude – and vocal talent to match. Donovan's leather-clad mad dentist Orin Scriviello was inspired; he is obviously willing to try anything, and succeeds. The rest of the cast – Alex Curran '06, Jane Pimentel '08, Greg Pimentel '06, Patrick Villaume '06, even with bit parts, added atmosphere and a touch of absurdity to the production. Leigh Feldman '07 and Reusche brought the plant to life with frightening realism.
Other Brewster students involved in the production included Kyle Berns '06 as stage manager, with Maggie MacDonald '06 as his assistant; Doh Kim '06 as assistant director; and drama captains Jared Anderson and Greg Donovan. Laura Kingston '08 managed the props and Joe Montana '06 was in charge of set decoration and dramaturgy. The running crew consisted of Andy DeLissio '06, Chip McConnell '06, and Matt Singleton '06, who was also house manager. Berns, Kingston, Scott Cameron '08, and Feldman took care of the lobby.
Local musicians led by pianist Andy Campbell, Brewster's music director, added a good musical accompaniment to the production.
Congratulations again to the troupe and its successful dramatization of Little Shop of Horrors!
