Boone presenting ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

The cast and crew of Boone’s latest production is preparing for their Feb. 28 debut of the comedy horror musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”

The story follows Seymour and Audrey, workers in a struggling flower shop. Seymour is very fond of Audrey, and he names a mysterious plant Audrey II in her honor.

Little does Seymour know, the plant is an alien that feeds on human flesh and blood. As the play unfolds and Seymour has to find more and more food for the plant, it flourishes and so does business for the flower shop.

For senior Dan Compton, who stars as Seymour, this will be his first major role and he is excited about “getting to do stuff that (is) weird/awkward.”

“The songs are so weird but catchy,” Compton said.

The music and lyrics were written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, a pair behind some of Disney’s biggest hits from the ‘90s including “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

“All the music takes you on a joyride,” said junior Bryce Herzner, who plays Orin Scrivello, the dentist who is also the villain and boyfriend of Audrey.

Herzner is excited to play this role because he plays the villain.

“Every role I’ve had in and out of Boone has been (as) a goofy, semiserious loveable dork.” he said.

Senior Sophie Delaney also finds herself in a new role, playing villainous plant Audrey II.

“I’ve never played a villain before,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun, but the voice is kinda challenging.”

Junior Abby Johnson stars as Audrey, and her older brother Sam Johnson is serving as director.

Sam Johnson graduated from Boone in 2016, and Delaney remembers being in extracurricular activities with him when he was a senior and says she sees him as “somewhat of a peer.”

The cast had nothing but positive things to say about Sam Johnson.

“He’s very blunt and honest with his feedback, very organized/professional,” Delaney said.

“I really enjoy Sam Johnson’s directing style,” Herzner said.

Sam and Abby Johnson’s family has a history of being involved in Boone’s theater program.

Sam and Abby’s mom, Jamie Johnson, teaches at Boone and previously directed “The Sound of Music” and “9 to 5.”

For the current production, Jamie Johnson is serving as producer and is overseeing the production of the set.

As the play nears, so does the readiness of the cast, crew and set. This being the first and only play of the year, cast members are excited.

“I can’t wait until opening night, but I’ll be sad when it’s over,” Herzner said.

“Little Shop of Horrors” will be performed in the Boone auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 28, March 1 & March 2. Tickets will be $5.00 and will be available at the door and during lunch the week of the show.