The actors of Lawrence North have something big and exciting for the people coming up. They put many hours and practice into this year’s musical, “Little Shop of Horrors.” 

“Little Shop of Horrors” is a rock musical that was written in 1982. It takes place in New York City in the 1960s. It’s about a man-eating plant from outer space.

“It is interesting because it’s about murder and a very dark theme, and yet it is kind of set in this tongue-in-cheek, humorous, doo-wap ’60s music,” Director Gregory Johnson said. 

Johnson has been producing and choreographing for a long time, and he was a little hesitant at first to do this musical.

“I really stayed away from this show because it’s a hard show. It’s funny and light, but it also has that darkness and murder,” he said.  

However, he said that the students convinced him to give “Little Shop of Horrors” a try. 

“This is one of the times I listened to the kids and was like, this is good for the culture of Lawrence North, and I have actually fallen in love with the show because of how passionate they are about it,” Johnson said.  

Junior Grace Rehmel is one of the leads in the musical. 

“My character is Audrey. She is the lead lady and she is this dumb blonde that has a traumatic past. She gets beat and she’s very broken and throughout the show she learns how to love again,” Rehmel said. 

The actors have been working for awhile on the show. Sophomore Taylor Smith plays one of the other leads, Seymour. He says the work has been paying off.

“[Rehearsals] have been going very well. The production is going to be pretty good,” Smith said. 

Johnson says that everything has started to come together as the actors approach opening night. 

“I feel like it’s a long process, but I enjoy the beginning and end process. I feel things are slowly starting to get together,” Johnson said. 

The musical opens this Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. There are also two shows on Saturday, May 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“People  should come see the show because you get to see a plant eat a bunch of people. Also you get to see a bunch of flowers, a lot of singing, and see a really weird story about a man-eating plant,” Rehmel said. 

Smith agrees. “It’s definitely going to be a show that is entertaining. You’re going to leave the show wanting to see it again.”