What happens when a lovable nerd discovers a sentient, carnivorous plant that brings him the attention he craves, but in return demands blood sacrifice?
That’s the question that drives “Little Shop of Horrors,” a musical the Aptos High School drama team is presenting this week.
While the play was popularized by the 1986 movie, the concept of a man-eating plant can be traced to science fiction writer H.G. Wells’ 1894 short story “The Flowering of the Strange Orchid.”
The concept evolved through the decades, from John Collier’s “Green Thoughts” in 1932 to Arthur C. Clarke’s 1956 story “The Reluctant Orchid.”
The story eventually evolved from science fiction quasi-horror into a humorous farce when screenwriter Charles Griffith and filmmaker Roger Corman developed a low-budget B-movie initially titled “The Passionate People Eater.” Released in 1960 as “The Little Shop of Horrors,” the film featured a young Jack Nicholson in a supporting role.
It later became a stage musical and gained a wider audience with the 1986 film starring Rick Moranis as the nerdy Seymour, Ellen Greene as Audrey and Steve Martin as dentist Orin Scrivello.
Now Aptos High students are bringing the bizarre tale to the stage, complete with singing, dancing and a collection of carnivorous plant puppets.
Visual and performing arts teacher Stacy Aronovici said the two-act horror musical features about 27 actors, with roughly 40 students participating in the production, including crew members.
“We want to give as many students opportunities as possible,” she said.
Stacy Aronovici, works with students Tuesday
on the production.
The production includes students in grades 10 through 12 and a five-piece live band composed of working musicians, several of whom are also music teachers.
“If we’re going to do a musical, to me, a big component of that is working with a live band, learning the nuances of entrances and dynamics and being able to balance sound,” Aronovici said. “It just brings a different energy than if you’re just singing to a track.”
Adding to the challenge are numerous props and four different plant puppets that students must learn to operate.
Junior Danni Kim, one of the puppeteers, previously operated the crocodile puppet in the school’s production of “Peter Pan.”
“It’s been an honor,” Kim said. “I am very appreciative of all the people working with me to do this. It’s just been really fun.”
Kim said he hopes theater might someday become a career.
Senior Omi Grau, who is performing and helping co-direct, began working backstage as a freshman before stepping into the spotlight during last year’s production of “High School Musical.”
Grau said the friendships formed through theater are as important as the performances.
“It’s just such a good sense of community,” Grau said. “It’s so much more about finding people your age that you can connect with.”
Despite the dark subject matter, Aronovici said the musical offers plenty of humor and heart.
“We have very likable, relatable characters who are grappling with life’s big questions and relationships and trying to fit in and find their place,” she said.
