Carnivorous Musical Plant Invades Manly
Will Musical Theatre’s favourite man-eating plant devour the unsuspecting populace of Sydney’s Northern Beaches during November 2013.
Manly Musical Society’s 10th production will be comedy horror rock musical Little Shop of Horrors, by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, based on the 1960 black comedy film.
Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of hapless, nerdish florist Seymour, who harbors a crush on co-worker, the ditzy blonde and ever-vulnerable Audrey.
Seymour finds his chance for romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant, which he’s affectionately named Audrey II.
Will this monstrous, blood sucking plant take over the world? Or will Seymour and Audrey defeat it?
The music, in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, features well-known tunes including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green" and "Suddenly, Seymour".
Director Matt Cater, fresh from directing Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat with Chatswood Musical Society says, “The musical version of this show hit the Broadway stage for the first time in 1982 and became an instant hit with audiences of all ages. Since then it has become a cult classic with the 1986 movie version starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin along with numerous stage revivals and community theatre and school productions worldwide, and now this production with Manly Musical Society of which I couldn’t be prouder.”
Joining the production team with Matt is Musical Director Sam Lee and Choreographer Amy Mauvan.
Jemma Douglas-Eggins plays Audrey.
“Having trained in dance for over 13 years,” Jemma says, “I have been performing for most of my life. In more recent years I have taken my skills toward music theatre, studying at institutions such as NIDA, The Screen Actors Studio and continuing my dance training at Sydney Dance Company, under the private tuition of Robert Bertram for voice I am now fully aimed at Music Theatre.”
Jemma was recently accepted as a scholarship student to the prestigious American Musical & Dramatic Academy – AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Admission to AMDA is extremely competitive, with students from all over the globe selected by auditions held in more than 35 cities.
Patrick O’Keeffe, who is currently completing a ministry traineeship at Christ Church St Ives, will play the role of Seymour.
“Seymour is a pretty classic guy, says Patrick. “I think it's pretty easy to identify with Seymour's good intentions coupled with his extreme naivety. All he wants to do is please Mr. Mushnik and protect Audrey from the dentist, but he is too short-sighted to see how easily manipulated he is by the plant and by the time he figures out what's going on, it's all too late! There are some really great songs that Seymour has as well, and it's a lot of fun to play the fool!"
Manly Musical Society presents
Little Shop of Horrors
by arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia
Friday 22nd – Saturday 30th November 2013
Star of The Sea Theatre, Stella Maris College, corner of Collingwood and Iluka Avenue Manly
Adult $30, Concession $25, Youth (21 and under) $15. Tickets on sale at www.manlymusicalsociety.com
contact@manlymusicalsociety.com
More Reading
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.
