MAN EATING PLANT IN ELYRIA

SEEN EATING PEOPLE NEAR WEST & 6TH

The Elyria Summer Theatre Association was busy all day Sunday preparing for next weekend’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” – The production is set to run: July 24, 25, 26 & 27 at the Elyria High School Auditorium.

I sat in on a portion of today’s technical run through and was surprised by what I saw. I had always thought that the ESTA productions were all performed by high school students. Disclaimer: I have nothing against high school productions at all. I have seen some great local high school productions and look forward to many more.

Once I heard the voices, I knew this was not a high school production.

The Elyria Summer Theatre Association held open auditions for Little Shop and has casted people from all over northeast Ohio. The cast is lead by Mark McCarthy and Susan DiDino playing Seymour and Audrey. Both actors have great voices and wonderful chemistry on stage. Tom Castro, a veteran actor, has been tapped to play flower shop owner Mr. Mushnik. You can tell right away that Castro is no stranger to the stage making every step and song look easy. The only challenge tonight for Castro was when he was eaten by the Audrey 2. Getting in through the mouth and out through the… well, you know, was not as easy as it looks. A couple run through's and he had it. Trust me when I say Castro will have you laughing.

Keith Faris takes on the role of the Dentist Orin Scrivello and knocks it out of the park. With his well trained voice and ability to ad lib Faris is sure to be a favorite of the audience next weekend. Faris brings a mix of Andrew Dice Clay and Ben Stillar to the role, very funny and great voice.

James Bauschatz is the actor you won't see but will certainly hear even if you are standing out on West Ave. Bauschatz plays the voice of the Audrey 2 (the plant). Why they put a mic on this guy is beyond me. He brings a jazzy tone to the Audrey 2 and will both scare you and keep you laughing throughout the production.

Little Shop of Horrors is a 1982 Off-Broadway musical black comedy by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. The musical was based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy The Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Roger Corman. The musical score, composed by Menken in the style of 1960's rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, included several show-stoppers including "Skid Row," "Somewhere That's Green," and "Suddenly Seymour," as well as the title song.

The Elyria Summer Theatre Association has a proud history with over 30 seasons of quality shows, some of them include; Hello, Dolly – Damn Yankees – The Sound of Music – Godspell – The Wizard of Oz – Fiddler on the Roof – Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat & Bye Bye Birdie.

Little Shop of Horrors Cast
Seymour Krelborn: Mark McCarthy
Audrey: Susan DiDino
Audrey II: James Bauschatz
Mr. Mushnik: Tom Castro
Orin Scrivello, DDS: Keith Faris
Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon: Jen Ryan, Becky Riffle, Mary Prucha
Also featuring: Alex Craig, Sheila Andre de la Porte, and Christopher Holovacs

Showtimes:

July 24, 25, 26 – Curtain: 8:00 p.m.

July 27 Curtain: 2:00 p.m.

Elyria High School AuditoriumWest Avenue and 6th Street, near downtown Elyria
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR - No reservations needed; open seating
Air-conditioned comfort!

(Parking is tricky with construction around the school. We recommend you arrive a little early to park and get your ticket.)

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To win free tickets to “Little Shop of Horrors” send and Email to tmcnews2@aol.com - We will draw two names on Wednesday and notify you by email. You will be able to chose any one of the 4 shows to use your free tickets.