From February 17th to 21st 2015, Letterkenny Musical Society will present “Little Shop of Horrors”, the darkly comedic musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, based on the 1960s film by Roger Corman. Set in the early 1960s, the show is set in Musknik’s Flower Shop on New York’s Skid Row, which is on the verge of closure, much to the dismay of Mushnik’s two employees Seymour and Audrey. However, there is one, final, last gasp chance to save the shop. Seymour’s hobby is collecting strange plants, and just a few weeks earlier, he found an unidentifiable plant in a market which looked like a cross between a venus flytrap and an avocado. At Audrey’s behest, and despite Mr Mushnik’s cynicism, he puts the plant on display in the window in a bid to attract customers. In no time at all, business is booming. We learn that Seymour named the plant after the most important thing in his life, and the person he loves more than any other…..Audrey 2. Unfortunately, the original Audrey is in a relationship with Orin Scrivello, a sadistic dentist who regularly beats her, a relationship she would love to escape. In the short term though, there is a more pressing problem. Audrey 2 is close to death, and Seymour is desperately trying to determine what he has to do to nurture it. Suddenly, he pricks his finger on a thorn, some of the blood falls into Audrey 2’s mouth, and the effect is instantaneous. The plant starts to grow……and grow…….and grow. Business is booming, Audrey confesses that she loves Seymour, but she is still very much tied to Orin……..literally. Seymour is draining his veins to feed the plant, but Audrey 2 is becoming hungrier, until finally, Audrey 2 starts to speak, and Seymour’s life changes forever. Public auditions for the show will begin on Tuesday September 9th at 8pm in St Bernadette’s School, College Farm Road, Letterkenny. All parts are open for audition, with the main roles as follows. Audrey – 20s / 30s, at heart a sweet, innocent “girl next door”, but has been used and abused. Seymour – 20s / 30s, somewhat hapless and clumsy, has been taken from the street by Mushnik, and treated almost as a slave. Zero self-confidence, very loyal. Mushnik – 40s / 50s, a European Jew, has run a flower shop in Skid Row with very little success, sees dollar signs when Audrey 2 starts to being in the business, and will do almost anything to keep the show on the road. Orin Scrivello – A nasty piece of work, but also the source of many laughs. Needs to be portrayed in a way that brings out the comedy without diluting his evil streak. Wears leather and rides a motorcycle, but as the show notes point out, he is not a leftover from Grease! Chiffon, Crystal and Ronnette – In many ways, the fulcrum of the show. These three are street urchins, who permanently hang around outside Mushnik’s shop. They and are always quick with a quip and up to earn a handy dollar any way they can. They also serve as a “Greek Chorus”, casting an eye from above on the proceedings, and knowing what is happening, and what is about to happen. Three exceptional singers and actors who can dance are needed here. Audrey 2 – Described in the show notes as a cross between Otis Reading, Barry White and Wolfman Jack. Traditionally a deep voice that alternates between threatening and cajoling. Everyone is welcome to audition for one of the principle roles, whether a new member or a returning veteran. We would ask anyone interested in a particular role to prepare a song from the show for the audition. There are plenty of songs (including karaoke versions) on YouTube, and lyrics available on all the lyric sites. Chorus members will also be asked to sing a short clip to determine how their voices can best be used. As ever, we look forward to welcoming back old friends and making new ones on September 9th.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 11:24:17 +0000
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