The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Spring has arrived at area theaters
Spring finally sprang (sprung?) this week. Someone please tell Mother Nature!
But if you support our area young thespians, you know that spring musical season has been in bloom for weeks. And it continues this weekend, so read on:
Lake Catholic
“Don’t feed the plants” — that is a warning that seems particularly contrary here in this first week of spring. But it is a famous phrase that any young thespians should recognize as one from the popular musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”
That is the production that Lake Catholic High School in Mentor is prepared to perform this weekend under the direction of Scott Posey.
The show runs March 22, 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and March 25 at 3 p.m. in the Lake Catholic High School auditorium. Advanced tickets for the musical may be purchased through the school Spirit Store from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.
Advanced tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and alumni and $5 for students high school age and younger. Groups of 10 or more may purchase advance tickets for a group rate of $7.50 per ticket. They must all be for the same performance. The box office opens 45 minutes before the show and doors open a half-hour before the show. Tickets the night of the show are $10 for adults and $5 for students high school and younger.
Questions can be directed to 440-578-1020, ext. 266.
As a press release from the school describes, “Little Shop of Horrors” is a macabre musical comedy about a dejected flower shop assistant, Seymour Krelborn, and a strange plant he finds during a total eclipse. The story unfolds under the 1960’s doowop style vocals of a trio of street urchins reminiscent of the Supremes who narrate the story of Seymour and his plant. He names the plant Audrey II after is co-worker crush and attempts to care for the plant, but little does he know that the strange plant will develop a soulful R & B voice and an unquenchable thirst for human blood.
Scott Posey is assisted by senior Erin Brennan as assistant director and Jim Slike as orchestra director. Thirty-three cast members and 43 crew members are involved in this year’s production.
“This is a smaller cast which proved problematic
The mission of UpStage Players is the dedication to the child performer, instilling a love of theater while building leadership and community.
for casting but we are heavier in crew due to the larger props needed to tell this story,” says Posey. “We have an alien theme going in our department this year which began with our Fall production of ‘The Panic Broadcast of 1938’ and continued with our space-themed Winter Concert.”
Seymour, the loveable hero, will be portrayed by senior Thomas Horen while senior Anna Skalicki plays his love interest Audrey.
The crotchety Mushnik will be played by sophomore Joe Ivancic and sophomore Sean Jones will play the evil dentist Orin. Audrey II will be brought to life in a collaborative effort by junior Eric Sconyers as his voice and senior Melvin Hilliard, Jr as the plant itself. Rounding out this motley crew is the trio of singing Skid Row narrators played by sophomore Eva Anderson and seniors Meghan Bretz and Megan Szaraz. A variety of ensemble members will portray the different citizens of this small town.
“There was some opportunity to increase the size of the cast with some special moments that you will see throughout the performance,” says Posey. “We want to provide as much opportunity to any student that wants to be a part of the performing arts at Lake Catholic.”
Break a leg to these Lake County thespians this weekend.
UpStage Players
Out in Cuyahoga County in North Collinwood, UpStage Players is about to lead their children’s theater companies in their 24th season with the musical “Singin’ In the Rain, Jr.”
Performances are March 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and March 25 at 2:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Public Library Auditorium, 17109 Lakeshore Blvd. Tickets are $13 at the door.
The annual spring musical is the signature endeavor of UpStage Players each year. After several months of learning and collaboration, the efforts of dozens of children and adult volunteers come to fruition through the professionally-produced junior edition of a Broadway-caliber musical.
UpStage Players is the proud recipient of a 2017 Cuyahoga Arts & Culture grant, and is also supported by the Downtown Cleveland Kiwanis Club #2 and the Children’s Guild of Cleveland.
The mission of UpStage Players is the dedication to the child performer, instilling a love of theater while building leadership and community. The nonprofit group was founded in 1994–95 with 30 children and a vision to create love and respect for the performing arts. Beyond evolving into a strong organization of nearly three times as many children today, two keys to the success of UpStage over the years have been its unwavering no-cut policy and its army of committed volunteers.
The children of UpStage Players come from varied backgrounds and neighborhoods throughout Northeast Ohio, yet they all enjoy a demonstrable transformation from everyday kids into accomplished artists. For more information, e-mail info@ upstageplayers.com or visit www.upstageplayers.com.
Congratulation to the UpStage team for their enduring, generous program, and break a leg this weekend!
Young Thespians is a regular column that focuses on youth in theater. Do you have a production you wish to see featured? E-mail stevecouch@windstream.net, follow me @StevenRCouch on Twitter or join our “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post your show information.