The River Hill High School Theatre Arts Department is busy rehearsing its fall production of the science fiction movie spoof, "Little Shop of Horrors."

River Hill Theatre Arts teacher Pam Land will direct with the assistance of student directors Allison Spada, Casey Merritt and Lucy Curnock. Student Anne-Marie Gover will be the assistant choreographer. A long-time friend of River Hill Theatre Arts, Joe Blasko, will direct the construction of the set designed by River Hill alumnus Mike Leon.

A crew of more than 35 students, led by student stage manager Nick Woodhouse, will build the sets and props and run the show for each performance. This includes a team of students who will control the various puppets that represent the carnivorous plant Audrey II. Professional musician and Helen Hayes award winner Doug Lawler will vocally direct and conduct the band. River Hill vocal music teacher Amy Hairston will serve as a vocal coach. Rhonda De La Mar, River Hill math teacher, will coordinate the costumes with the assistance of a team of parent volunteers.

"Little Shop of Horrors" is based on the 1960's Roger Corman film. The musical version boasts a score by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken and originally had a successful Off-Broadway run in the early 80's, a film adaptation in 1986 starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin, and a 2003 Broadway revival. The story features the meek and mild-mannered Seymour who spends his days doing menial tasks at a run-down flower shop run by Mr. Mushnik. Seymour is secretly in love with his co-worker, Audrey, but she has an unhealthy relationship with a rather mean-spirited dentist. Seymour's world changes when he discovers a strange and interesting carnivorous plant who offers him fame and fortune, but it all comes at a life or death price.

The cast of more than 25 River Hill students includes Chris Donaldson as Seymour, Elianna Stone as Audrey, Taylor Peppers as Mr. Mushnik, Teryn Leaper as the voice of Audrey II, Steve Synk as The Dentist and Grace Kim, Hannah Jefferson, Casey Merritt, Melissa Ruben, Linsdey Ullman and Sara Vanasse as the backup singers. Brian Becraft and Anna Martello will serve as the main plant puppeteers. Other students in the cast will be Kyle Bailey, Jeff Grimes, John Hong, Rocky Bostick, Kathryn Knaus, Zac Brightbill, Allison Spada, Alex Bailey, Julian Berry, Jason Rodriquez, Arjun Adapa, Kelsey Balimtas, Samira Nourbaksh, Lauren Karas, Lucy Curnock and Mikkel Snyder.

There will be a special admission on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31 of $7.00. Everyone is invited to come in costume. Children (up to age 12) who come in costume will receive a Halloween treat. The members of the cast will be available to take pictures after the show on Halloween night. For the rest of the performances, tickets are $9.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door.

All performances take place in the River Hill auditorium, 2101 Route 108, Ellicott City. Performance dates are Oct. 29, 30, 31 and Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. For further information contact Pam Land at pland@hcpss.org or 410-313-7120.

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