Daniel Prince
This will be drama teacher Ralph Lawson's final show before retiring
The Union County High School Drama Department returns to its very first spring production this year, as it presents, “Little Shop of Horrors”. Drama teacher and director Ralph Lawson said this was the very first spring musical production 27 years ago, and it will be presented again this year, which will mark Lawson’s final Union County High School production, as he is set to retire at the end of the year.
The musical is described as a parody of cheesy science-fiction and horror films. Because of that, it does contain some intense scenes, so parents of young children should be aware of that. The show deals with a giant alien plant that has an unusual appetite for a certain food source. The show ran for five years Off-Broadway, and then became a Broadway musical in 2003. It is currently running again Off-Broadway. 21 students comprise the cast of the show, and 13 more work as the show’s technical crew.
Little Shop of Horrors will open tonight and run through Saturday, April 21-23 at 7 p.m. There will also be a matinee performance on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. All performances will be at the UCHS Cafetorium. Advance tickets are on sale in the Union County High School main office and the Union County Arts Council office on Main Street. Advance tickets will be $10 for adults and $8 for students. Tickets at the door will be $12 for adults and $10 for students.
The show is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. The book and lyrics are by Howard Ashman, with music by Alan Menken. It is based on the film by Roger Corman, with the screenplay by Charles Griffith.