Grambling State University’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department is preparing to present its version of “Little Shop of Horrors” from April 8-11 at the Floyd L. Sandle Theatre inside the Conrad Hutchinson Performing Arts Center.
A campy sci-fi horror/comedy/musical, “Little Shop of Horrors” centers on a floral shop worker who discovers a R&B-singing sentient carnivorous plant that feeds on human blood.
Directed by GSU Coordinator of Theatre and Technical Director David Kaul with Dr. Cordara Harper serving as musical director, performances of “Little Shop of Horrors” will begin at 7 p.m. on April 8-11 with a matinee showing for high school day slated for 10 a.m. on April 11.
General admission tickets will cost $10 with tickets for children ages 12 and under set at $5. Tickets for the matinee performance will cost $5 for high schoolers.
GSU students can attend free of charge by showing a student ID card.
Kaul is pleased with the way preparations for the performances are going.
“I am enormously proud of the effort this cast is putting in to get this show staged,” Kaul said. “There have been all kinds of obstacles to overcome — pageants, conferences, and of course spring break, but each time we get back together they surprise me with their level of commitment and readiness. This is a great cast!”
Those cast members will be Kayla Mason as Crystal, Micah Anderson as Chiffon, Areonna Richardson as Ronnette, Kevin Brown as Mr. Mushnick, McKinley Harbor as Audrey, Tyren Ollie as Seymour, Iasador Holiday as Wino No. 1/the customer, Madison Mason as Wino No. 2/Mrs. Luce, Orin Scrivello as Karrington Jackson and Sylvester Williams as Skip Snip/Mr. Martin.
Voicing the character of Audrey II will be Jonathan Jackson.
“It’s no secret that Audrey II is a puppet,” Kaul said. “The real point of interest has been rehearsing without her — she’s been represented by socks, chairs, and coat racks until I went to north Illinois to retrieve the puppet.
“She will be brought to life by the expert puppeteering of Mr. Kyle Zimmerman and Mr. Jonathan Jackson as her voice.”
Audrey II is designed by Ron and Tracy Jackson.
Working behind the scenes for the performances will be Stage Manager Madison Smith, Choreographers Micah Anderson, Karrington Jackson and Madison Smith, Light Board Operator Micah Allen, Sound Engineer DeMarcus Mitchell, Fly Rail Operator Kelvin Nimako, and Stagehand Nana Yaw Yamoah Tuffour.
Kim Jones will serve as costumer while handling set construction will be Allen, Nimako and Tuffour.
Call 318-274-2201 for tickets or to have any questions about the performances answered.