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Performing Arts

Feed me, Seymour: DHS Troupe 1096 stages ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Members of Durango High School Troupe 1096 rehearse their production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on Tuesday at the high school. (Courtesy)
High school actors close out season with musical

Durango High School Troupe 1096 is closing out its season with a bang – or, more accurately with a gulp .

The student actors will stage their final public performance of the year with “Little Shops of Horrors,” which will open Wednesday and run through May 6.

If you go

WHAT: Durango high School Troupe 1096 presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” music by Alan Menken, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman.

WHEN: 7 p.m. April 26, 27, 28, May 3, 4, 5 and 6; 2 p.m. May 6.

WHERE: Durango High School, 2390 Main Ave.

TICKETS: $15, available online at https://bit.ly/3GXgWCt.

MORE INFORMATION: Visit troupe1096.weebly.com.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is the story of Seymour Krelborn, a meek flower shop assistant who pines for co-worker Audrey. During a total eclipse, he discovers an unusual plant he names Audrey II, which feeds only on human flesh and blood. The growing plant attracts a great deal of business for the previously struggling store. After Seymour feeds Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin, to the plant after Orin’s accidental death, he must come up with more bodies for the increasingly bloodthirsty plant.

Members of Durango High School Troupe 1096 rehearse their production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on Tuesday at the high school. (Courtesy)

“I would tell you that it is a delightfully gruesome adventure which constantly tip-toes between its campy farcical style and its very real and desperate narrative. Little Shop of Horrors is a celebration of music, of hope, of love conquering all, while also being a cautionary tale of greed, of ego, of destitution,” said Director Ben Mattson. “The protagonists are lovable and real, while always teetering on the line of their stock-character stereotypes. The antagonists would be (and really, are) completely irredeemable if the writing wasn’t so clever and charismatic. Under its campy, colorful exterior lies a story with hard truths, holding a mirror to our darker human urges. If you peer under the surface, you may be surprised at what you see.”

The production is divided into two casts – senior and junior. And, because of the logistics of Audrey II, the tech crew had its work cut out for it.

Members of Durango High School Troupe 1096 rehearse their production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on Tuesday at the high school. (Courtesy)

“I would love for people to know how much of the production is student-driven and student-designed. Around 100 students put in time on Saturdays to bring everything to life, and I think this show has really given amazing challenges to the insanely talented students,” Mattson said. “The set was designed and executed by Cruz Colvig, who took her design to our state festival and won critic’s choice as the best set design in the state.”

Mattson said that while other schools rent Audrey II puppets for the production, Troupe 1096 blazed it own trail and created its own. (I’ve seen it, and it’s really cool.)

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ cast

Senior cast

Seymour – Aiden Hurley

Audrey – Cruz Colvig

Mr. Mushnik – Dakota Gervais

Orin / Dentist – Jacob Fuller

Junior cast

Seymour – William Reynolds

Audrey – Ginger Ashurst

Mr. Mushnik – Daniel Long

Orin / Dentist – Calvin Marshall

Audrey 2 – Maggie Williams

Chiffon – Katelyn Bowie

Crystal – Sora Pearson

Ronette – Lyric Rodriguez

Plant Singers – Cassidy Hill, Karissa Rocha-Atamas, Gwyn Prothero, Gracie White

Ensemble – Olivia Reeve, Jayla Cataldi, Elyza Baumchen, Xaiver Lopez

“The plant was designed and executed by Maggie Williams. I have never liked big, bulky costumes or puppets so my only stipulation was that I wanted to be able to see the performers and not just watch a painted cardboard box take up half the show,” he said. “Maggie created, what I believe, to be one of the coolest designs for Audrey II. She has been working tirelessly all year on the creation of the different ‘versions’ of Audrey II, and it has paid off. Her and her team have floored me with utilizing more creativity, simplicity and theatricality than I thought possible.”

Members of Durango High School Troupe 1096 rehearse their production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on Tuesday at the high school. (Courtesy)

Mattson also credits his tech director for the year, student Ayana Glass, with helping keep everything running smoothly.

“She has been responsible with organizing, and staying on top of, all of the different technical crews all year long,” he said. “This show especially could not run without her ensuring that things continue on as scheduled and all of the different technical crews are working together toward our singular vision. Along with being the TD for the Troupe, Ayana is also the lighting designer and stage manager for this production. It seriously could not function without her.”

While the troupe’s performances are flawless, they only get that way with countless hours of rehearsal and work, Mattson said, adding that the troupe members who work behind the scenes are just as important as the ones on stage.

“We have students create designs and lead crews for set, lights, sound, mics, front-of-house, box office, scenic paint, costumes, props – innumerable hours are spent by students in creating and executing all of these different facets of our productions,” he said. “I’m honored to give the students behind the curtain a little attention – the productions at DHS are dependent on their blood, sweat and tears. They are the heart of this program, and we could never create the level of excellence that we do without their dedication and artistry.”

Along with her tech work, Colvig also plays Audrey in the senior cast. She said playing the character has been a chance for her to stretch her abilities.

Members of Durango High School Troupe 1096 rehearse their production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on Tuesday at the high school. (Courtesy)

“In ways, I actually think that this is a character that’s most opposite for me. And that’s why I wanted to do it because it was such a big challenge,” she said. “I do say what’s on my mind, and I think I’m a very strong woman, too. So I think it’s been the biggest struggle of trying to find what my director wants but also find what I know about domestic violence. My mom’s a domestic violence lawyer, so it allowed me to maybe take a step away from method acting.”

Members of Durango High School Troupe 1096 rehearse their production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on Tuesday at the high school. (Courtesy)

As she heads into her final public performances with Troupe 1096 before her upcoming graduation, Colvig gets a little sentimental: “This has been the best,” she said. “This has been the best time.”

katie@durangoherald.com



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