HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 5, 2009 ? The High Point University Theatre will present “Little Shop of Horrors” Nov. 19-22 in the Pauline Theatre of the Hayworth Fine Arts Center.
The show tells the story of a down-and-out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon, “Audrey II” ? the plant ? grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination.
The play is one of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, and is an affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies. Over the years, it has become a household name.
The production features Ben Brown, a junior, as “Seymour”; Jennifer Arnold, a junior, as “Audrey”; Dan Moldovan, a sophomore, as “Mr. Mushnik”; Ben Hensley, a senior, as “Orin”; Patrick Bliss, a senior, as “The Voice of Audrey II”; Maggie Jo Saylor, a sophomore, as “Audrey II”; Megan Santiago, a junior, as “Ronette”; Anna-Parsons Charles, a junior, as “Crystal”; and Marie Ventrone, a junior, as “Chiffon.”
Ed Simpson is directing the classic production; Matthew Emerson is set and lighting designer; Ami Shupe is costume designer; Charlie Thompson is musical director; Cara Hagan is in charge of choreography, Seth Starr is in charge of technical direction and sound design; and Alanea Cremen, a junior, is stage manager.
“‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is a new American Classic musical with wonderful songs by the team that wrote ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,'” says Simpson, chair of the Department of Performing Arts at HPU. “The production has delightful characters, fantastic sets and a giant, talking and singing plant from outer space!”
Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19-21, and 2 p.m. on Nov. 22. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens, $5 for students and $3 for children 12 and under. Those interested in purchasing tickets may contact the HPU box office at Hayworth Fine Arts Center at 336-841-4673.
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in a fun environment with caring people. HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with 3,700 undergraduate and graduate students from 50 countries and 44 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report No. 5 among comprehensive universities in the South and No. 1 in its category among up-and-coming schools. Forbes.com ranks HPU in the top 6 percent among “America’s Best Colleges.” HPU was included in The Chronicle of Higher Education?s “Great Colleges to Work For” 2009 listings. The university offers 68 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and seven graduate degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at www.highpoint.edu.
Chris DudleyVice President for [email protected]