Naperville North presents 'Little Shop of Horrors'

Naperville North High School Performing Arts program will present the sci-fi musical comedy "Little Shop of Horrors" as its first theatrical production of the 2015-16 season.

Written by Howard Ashman, with music by Alan Menken, the story is about a meek floral assistant named Seymour Krelborn who stumbles across a new breed of plant he names Audrey II - after his co-worker crush.

This R&B-singing carnivorous plant promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it blood. Over time, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out-of-this world origins and intent toward global domination.

Told in 1950s R&B-style music, "Little Shop of Horrors" is about friendship and love, the price of fame and, ultimately, the difference one person can make.

Director Andy Simon said "Little Shop of Horrors" was chosen because it is a popular, fun musical and would be a smaller production for the school's first fall play. The biggest challenge has been having to rent and work with the four plants of increasingly large size that portray Audrey II, he said.

Because the show originally was written for a cast of nine, Simon added an ensemble of 19 to bring more students into the production. The ensemble performs in musical numbers where it makes sense to have more actors on stage.

The leading characters and the performers are: Nathan Biggs as Seymour; Anabella Oddo as Audrey; Jake Diaz as the voice of Audrey II; Nora Snyder as Chiffon; India Martin as Crystal; Alex Gray as Ronnette; Bobby Voss as Mushnik; and Mikey Hendrickson as Orin.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, with a free reception following performance; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Naperville North Performing Arts Center, 899 N. Mill St., Naperville.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $14 for reserved seating. For tickets, visit naperville203.tix.com or call (630) 420-6821.