"Little Shop" Opening For Business At SRCS

FORT COVINGTON - Members of the Salmon River Drama Club are ready to take audiences "down on skid row," as they take the stage with "Little Shop of Horrors" for two weekend performances.

The drama club, under the direction of English teacher Daniel J. Girard, will perform the popular musical Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium.

The show, which follows a geek with a green thumb, Seymour, who grows a plant that develops an appetite for meat - including human flesh, all while falling in love with a woman known for her poor taste in men.

"We wanted to do something that would be a little different than what's been done in the past," Girard said. "And we thought this show would be a lot of fun."

Girard said the 40 student cast and crew members have been rehearsing for the production, which includes numerous musical numbers, since January. He said the students have been balancing the show's schedule with sports, school work and other obligations.

"We're a smaller school," he said. "We've been trying to work our rehearsal around winter sports, and I think everyone involved has been sick at some point in the last two months. It's been tough, but it's been fun."

And Girard said the students' version of the show promises to be a memorable one.

"They're doing really well," he said. "It's been really great watching the kids develop these characters over the last eight weeks or so."

The student actors say participating in the show has been an enjoyable experience.

"I've never seen the show before," said Errolynn Bradley, 16, of Bombay, who is playing the female lead, Audrey, in the show. "But it's really a lot of fun. It's different."

Bradley is starring in the show opposite her best friend, Tanner Beaudin, 15, who plays the nerdy Seymour.

Girard said he has been aided in producing the show by a number of other teachers and parent volunteers. Teacher Emily Robideau serves as music director, teacher Charles "Chuck" Raiti constructed sets with his technology classes; a parent, Shannon Beaudin, designed costumes; a parent, Meghan Bradley has been handling ticket sales; a parent, Kelly Patenaude has been coordinating other volunteers and ushers; and art teacher Jennifer Backus aided in set design.

Tickets for the show are currently on sale at Salmon River Central. Admission is $6 for an individual or $20 for a family of four.