Feature Article March 27, 2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb Home Little Shop of Horrors at Sydenham HighReviewed by Wilma KennyLast September, fired by teacher Dick Hopkins enthusiasm and the optimism of youth that knows all things are possible, the students and staff of Sydenham High began plans for a spring production of the stage musical Little Shop of Horrors. Dicks sudden death in October rocked the school and the community, and for a brief moment, no one had the heart to continue. This was rapidly replaced by a determination that the show must go on, and so it did. Last weeks production of Little Shop was, by all standards, a triumph.
Students,
teachers, and community members combined skills, energy, and enormous
amounts of time to produce a professional show. Volunteer Alan Stott
brought a lifetime of theatre experience rooted in the British music
hall tradition, to his role as artistic director. He was assisted by
Tracy Rombough and Ian Arthur. Mike Verner was musical director, Leah
Bally was chief choreographer, Jennifer Bennett provided vocal
direction, and former student Haley Rose came back as stage manager.
Brian Rombough was everywhere, and always knew where to find more duct
tape. The list of production crew and band fills more than two program
pages, and all deserve mention, were there space enough.
The cast members brought with them an astounding amount of experience and training in music and dance, and achieved an impressive degree of acting skill. "No one was ever out of character," commented one audience member, herself a veteran of several musicals and plays.
Robyn Hopkins, Courtney Rombough, Carrie Shorrie and Nyla Innukshuk [the latter two rotating, so an understudy was ready,] were onstage almost full-time as the Doo-wop sisters, providing musical commentary on the events unfolding on stage. Their voices, dance routines and facial expressions were a constant source of delight and amusement. They were backed up by a 7-voice choir, dressed as waitresses in a small caf located offstage near the band.
Jamie
Vinkle, as Mr. Mushnik, effectively projected the image of an older
person, beaten down and discouraged by life. Its a tribute to his
acting that we nowhere glimpsed an energetic young man who plays
drums, trumpet, guitar and bass.
Kaitlyn Greig, as Audrey 1, has a sweet, true voice. She plays the role of sad, longing heroine to perfection, and dies most gracefully in her lovers arms.
Neil Puffer, anything but nerdish offstage, manages to transform himself into an earnest, awkward plant lover who is baffled by the sudden changes in his life. His voice easily met the demands of his role, and he, too was onstage for almost all of the show.
The role of the sadistic villainous dentist is a plum, and Brandon La Carte played it gloriously, satisfyingly well, with a style more than a little reminiscent of Elvis.
Strong leads could easily be undercut by poorly-performed minor roles, but this was no problem here. Each of the smaller parts in Little Shop sparkled with energy. David Timan not only operated the controls for the plant robot, but also played four other brief roles, each very different characters, from skid row drunk to Texan promoter. Stefan Gingrich drew loud applause for his solo, and Jennifer Roberts swooped onstage in a flash of colour and animation for her two appearances.
An ad hoc sound system, body mikes, and a cavernous gym sometimes combined to disadvantage. Unfortunately, parts of the lively script were lost, but the excellent pacing and life of the performance carried it past some technical awkwardness.
Space
doesnt allow the dinner theatre its full due: Janet Sanderson and
Tabitha Kirby somehow managed to turn a school gym into a truly
elegant restaurant. Beautiful table settings, muted lighting,
excellent food and service, and a host of thoughtful small touches
combined perfectly.
Record-sized audiences crowded the school gym for all four performances - a matinee for senior public school students, and three evening shows, one of them the dinner theatre.
Congratulations to all lifes going to seem a bit hum-drum for a little while, after this.
