On the 31st day of October… at 7 p.m…the human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence… and this terrifying enemy surfaced, as such enemies often do…in the seemingly most innocent and unlikely of places…the Herrin Civic Center. 

It begins with a run-down flower shop on Skid Row. The primary worker of this shop is Seymour Krelborn, who, to appease his boss and his coworker/crush, begins to display his latest strange plant.  But, it needs more than sunshine and water: it needs blood. This plant from outer space is both the best and the worst thing to ever happen to Seymour and by the end of the musical, it has taken over the world.

Opening night for HHS’ edition of Little Shop of Horrors was on Oct. 31, Halloween night. It went swimmingly and adequately prepared the cast for the next night, a packed Friday evening, followed by a packed Saturday: an excellent turnout. Many have said that this was one of the best shows HHS has put on in a while, according to some even besting the Addams Family, performed in 2022. 

HHS’ edition of the show featured the regular cast of Seymour (Holdyn Westberry [11]), Audrey (Sarah Johnson [11]), Mr. Mushnik (Ethan Reynolds [12]), Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. (Jake Weaver [9]), Audrey II (voice Alex Bloodworth[12] & puppeteer Liam Mcgill [11]), as well as double the amount of Urchins and a variety of skid row inhabitants Along with them was the very small tech crew consisting of stage manager Maddie Ahne (12), costage manager Kaytlyn Dodson (11), Ian Hahn (12) on sound, and Kaylee Zainitzer (11) on lights. Directors Allison Grace and Jene Simmons chose this cast and crew meticulously, coming up with an incredibly talented group of students. They chose Little Shop of Horrors because so many wanted to put this show together. According to them, the cast was perfect, even doing cold reads with no former practice.  They knew this show was going to be a smashing success.

In creating this show, lots needed to be done. The set needed to be drawn up, put together, painted, and practiced with. For the few painters available on set, this was a daunting task. However, with the help of the directors and determination, the crew got the entire set painted, and then some. The rotating set was made by Mr. Jordan, HHS’ woodshop teacher, at the request of the directors. It was then put together at the Herrin Civic Center for all members of the crew to paint, taking about a week of work. The only things not up to them were the plant models, which were borrowed from Mr. Zimmerman. Aside from the set, there were many contributors to the makeup and costume of the cast. The costumes were put together mostly by the directors or the cast themselves, as well as the makeup. With no formal costume design or makeup artist, the actors were allowed mostly creative freedom with their appearance. All of the preparation was described as stressful by both cast and crew, but everyone involved absolutely loved the show. 

When interviewing the cast, it was easy to see how they got into character. Each one of them either found something to identify themselves with their role or simply got into a separate state of mind. Jake Weaver, for instance, played Orin Scrivello, the abusive and drug-addicted dentist. This was his first leading role, so while it was exciting, it was also overwhelming. “It’s very confusing and difficult being a jerk all the time,” he explained.

His victim of abuse, Audrey, was played by Sarah Johnson. She is a known musical lover so it was no surprise how happy she was to receive the large role. She said, about her role: “I’m excited, but also terrified.” 

Her partner and co-star of the performance was, of course, Seymour Krelbourn, played by Holdyn Westberry. He is no stranger to the theater either, but quite happy to have the unique role. “It’s a lot of fun.  It’s a hard part, for sure, and you get to do a lot of things you don’t normally do in shows, like jump off a table,” he said.

One of the most exciting parts of this show was the Audrey II models. These models went from being able to be held in one’s hand to needing almost the entire cast and crew to move it. A total of 4 models were used, 3 of which were puppeteered by Liam McGill, and 2 of which were voiced by Alex Bloodworth. 

For Bloodworth, this is his first show. “It’s stressful but also simple. I am overjoyed to have the role,” he explained.

On the other hand, McGill has been behind the scenes for a few shows, though this is his first time in a puppet. The experience speaks for itself. “It’s very hot and sweaty,” said the puppeteer when asked about the technical aspects of such a prop. 

The urchins were, naturally, interviewed in a group.  Veronica Wilson said: “It’s fun, and a lot of work.”  The role has a lot going on with the choreography and song but it’s still a very fun role to have. For instance, Sydney Atchison said: “I just pretend I’m a pop singer in a girl group.” 

But the creativity doesn’t stop with the cast. Maddie Ahne, stage manager, felt she got just the creative push she needed. “I had a hard time with the deadlines, but it pushed my creativity and I absolutely fell in love with the show.”