‘It’s suppertime’

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 25, 2006

The stage is up and things are moving along for the cast of “Little Shop of Horrors.”

With opening night only a week in a half away, lines are still being memorized, musical notes are still being harmonized and final touches are still being put onto Audrey II.

“They aren’t ready yet, but they will be. They are doing great and I am so amazed by the cast,” the play’s musical director Karen Dean said. “The play is about a week and a half away and we are right on schedule.”

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“It’s a big show, but it’s coming together,” Canebrake director Jan Wilburn said. “It’s been fun though. There are a lot of costumes and props, and the actors are enjoying themselves.”

With a set that is “exactly” as she imagined and a Audrey II plant that is more than she imagined, Dean said she expects any attendees to thoroughly enjoy the play.

“If you’ve never seen it, then you need to come see it. If you have seen it, then you still need to see it,” Dean said. “A live performance is never going to look the same way twice. And if you have seen it, and have some preconceptions about bringing the children, we’ve edited it to make it more appropriate for all ages.”

Except for Dean and Jeremy Overstreet who plays “Seymour,” the entire cast is from Demopolis.

Laura Clements will play “Audrey,” and “Orin” the crazed dentist, will be played by Kirk Brooker, who also plays “Bernstein,” “Snip,” and “Martin.”

James Burden will provide the voice for “Audrey II” and Caleb Julian will manipulate the hand-made “man-eating plant.”

The chorus trio is played by Samantha Nelson, Meggin Dickerson and Lynda Ray – who also played a role in building Audrey II, and Mr. Mushnik, the flower shop owner, is played by Drew Martin.

Catie Cole, Jason Till, Bess Weltin and Morgan Cooper also have roles in the musical.

Not only will spectators have the opportunity to support the hard work the cast has put into the play and be entertained by local talent, Dean said they will also have the opportunity to listen to musical score with a special touch.

“Marsha, the accompanist, has been an absolute Godsend. She has jumped in and has brought so much to the music,” Dean said. “She’s more like another performer rather than just a piano player.”

Although some cast members have butterflies in their tummies as opening night approaches, both Wilburn and Dean expect for them to pull through for an exceptional performance the entire community could enjoy.

“This play is simply a good escape from our day-to-day lives,” Dean said, “It’s a way to come be on Skid Row and watch other people’s problems.”

Tickets to the play are $8 for adults, $4 for students, and “babes in arms” get in free. Thursday-Saturday the curtains will open at 7 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee will be performed on Sunday.