Stage Company show opens Oct. 23 with cast of of 18 teen
actors
San Benito Stage Company’s fall teen production has just the
kind of creepy storyline that should be a hit during the Halloween
season. This year’s fall teen production,
”
Little Shop of Horrors,
”
opens Oct. 23 at the Granada Theatre.
Stage Company show opens Oct. 23 with cast of of 18 teen actors
San Benito Stage Company’s fall teen production has just the kind of creepy storyline that should be a hit during the Halloween season. This year’s fall teen production, “Little Shop of Horrors,” opens Oct. 23 at the Granada Theatre.
“We started in the beginning of September,” said Amelia Souza-Hatcher, a co-producer of the show, of rehearsals. “The production has 18 cast members. It is a smaller cast, but this is a script we couldn’t really expand.”
The actors are all ages 13 to 19, and Souza-Hatcher said many of the backstage participants are also teenagers.
“We tried to staff the show as much as possible with teenagers,” she said. “Some were anxious to learn lights and sound.”
“Little Shop of Horrors” is based on a book by Howard Ashman, who also wrote the lyrics, with music by Alan Menken. Seymour (Gabe Hatcher) is a nerdy guy who works in a florist shop on skid row. He is in love with his co-worker Audrey (Sally Hail.) He is ridiculed by his boss, and jealous of Audrey’s dentist boyfriend. When he discovers a unique plant that has a voracious appetite – for humans – Seymour tries to meet the needs of his plant Audrey II (voiced by Nate Gardner) while wooing Audrey. The show has five newcomers to the San Benito Stage Company, with the rest being veterans of other shows.
The play is rated PG, and is directed by Colleen Tom-Chipman, with Travis Blanchard as an assistant director. Becky Miser and Amy Oelrich served as vocal directors. John Rachuy is a co-producer.
“It has a theme that is fitting with the season,” Souza-Hatcher said. “The kids love a story that is very humorous, and the music is great. It’s offbeat and the kids are drawn to the idea of a plant that is from outer space, that is carnivorous.”
The show provided some challenges, starting with the small cast. Most shows have close to 45 cast members, and they often bring with them other family members or friends to help out. Souza-Hatcher said there were less people involved in the production to help with creating sets and some of the other behind-the-scenes work.
“The challenge is to put forth the same amount of production effort with a smaller team,” Souza-Hatcher said. “It needs to be the same quality.”
Volunteers from the community stepped up to fill in the gaps.
For the Halloween performance on Oct. 31, the cast and crew will be collecting donations for Community Food Bank.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’
Granada Theatre, 336, Fifth St., Oct. 23 to Nov. 8, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students and seniors or $40 for a group four pack which includes four admissions.
Pre-sale tickets are available at Postal Graphics, 1760 Airline Hwy., Mars Hill, 600 San Benito St., and Running Rooster, 800 San Benito St.
For more information, visit www.sanbenitostage.org or call 636-0122.
Pre-show entertainment adds to San Benito Stage company experience
In addition to the San Benito Stage Company’s performance of “Little Shop of Horrors,” the producers have arranged for pre-show entertainment each night.
Some of the entertainment will include one-acts by San Benito High School students; a dance performance by Sammy Ramirez; singing and impersonations by 13-year-old Jesaiah Baer; and a performance by Fannie Curro, a Ms. Senior America contestant.
As of the Pinnacle’s press time, some of the performers were still being scheduled, but the tentative schedule is below:
Friday, Oct. 23, Sammy Ramirez, dancer
Saturday, Oct. 24, Sammy Ramirez, dancer
Sunday, Oct. 25, Fannie Curro, a Ms. Senior America contestant
Friday, Oct. 30, Jesaiah Baer, singer/impersonator and Sammy Ramirez, dancer
Saturday, Oct. 31, Jesaiah Baer, singer/impersonator and Sammy Ramirez, dancer
Sunday, Nov. 1, Fannie Curro, a Ms. Senior America contestant
Friday, Nov. 6, Sammy Ramirez, dancer
Saturday, Nov. 7, Jesaiah Baer, singer/impersonator and Fannie Curro, a Ms. Senior America contestant
Sunday, Nov. 8, Sammy Ramirez, dancer and Jesaiah Baer, singer/impersonator
