2008 Woodie Awards
Little Shop of Horrors Preview
Patrick Gleeson
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Opinion
The Stevens Dramatic Society is intensely preparing for their upcoming production of the dark and upbeat musical comedy "Little Shop of Horrors." The Stute was graciously invited to attend one of their recent rehearsals and to also interview the director of the show Mathew Trombetta. The cast and director have begun the immense task of preparing for their performances April 12 through 14. From the brief glimpse I saw, those involved with the show have put in a huge amount of effort in their short two weeks of rehearsal.
Despite being exiled to Room 230 in the Edwin A. Stevens Building, the cast has worked hard for the show, and what they have accomplished so far is astounding. Using the desks in the room to substitute for everything from counters to garbage cans, the cast worked on the blocking, the positions of the actors in a scene and the choriography through much of the first act.
Taking a break in between scenes at the rehearsal, the director, Mathew Trombetta, discussed the show with me. Trombetta described how great he considers the play to be - its intelligence and its fun score. He also described how the send ups, or references to musical theater and b-horror movies, provide the camp in the show but what makes it so good, is how the characters are really truthful. When I asked what would be the largest difficulty, Trombetta's reply was the technical element. He said the puppetry of the plants would be exceptionally difficult, particularly because they are renting the puppets for only three weeks.
At the end of the rehearsal, the cast ran through the majority of the first act. The emotion and energy in the room was incredible. Without costumes or even a set, the brief sample of their performance was amazing. Overall, the show looks as if it is going to be extraordinary.
Despite being exiled to Room 230 in the Edwin A. Stevens Building, the cast has worked hard for the show, and what they have accomplished so far is astounding. Using the desks in the room to substitute for everything from counters to garbage cans, the cast worked on the blocking, the positions of the actors in a scene and the choriography through much of the first act.
Taking a break in between scenes at the rehearsal, the director, Mathew Trombetta, discussed the show with me. Trombetta described how great he considers the play to be - its intelligence and its fun score. He also described how the send ups, or references to musical theater and b-horror movies, provide the camp in the show but what makes it so good, is how the characters are really truthful. When I asked what would be the largest difficulty, Trombetta's reply was the technical element. He said the puppetry of the plants would be exceptionally difficult, particularly because they are renting the puppets for only three weeks.
At the end of the rehearsal, the cast ran through the majority of the first act. The emotion and energy in the room was incredible. Without costumes or even a set, the brief sample of their performance was amazing. Overall, the show looks as if it is going to be extraordinary.
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