Senior Denzel Menjivar stood out for his voice work and percussions on the musical Little Shop of Horrors
Posted Jan. 4, 2022
Staff Editor
Senior Denzel Menjivar stood out for his stunning performance in Little Shop of Horrors, where he not only voiced Audry II (the man- eating plant), but also managed to orchestrate 10 percussion instruments at the same time.
Menjivar is the Jazz II section leader, Wind Ensemble section leader, and sings in the choir as a section leader. He has been acting for four years and has played, along with Audrey II, a chorus member in Holiday Inn, Linus Van Pelt in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, Professor Pierson in War of the Worlds, and Wadsworth in the upcoming Clue.
“The greatest achievement was being able to be all around involved in the PAC and our performing arts program,” Menjivar said.
Although Audrey II was an onstage puppet, Menjivar voiced the plant from the pit, via a carefully hidden microphone. This required him to talk and sing his lines while also playing 10 different percussion instruments, including the vibraphone, a glockenspiel, xylophone, bongos, chimes, congas, a variety of cymbols, timpani, a triangle, and a tambourine. Several audience members also commented how close he sounded to Levi Stubbs who voiced Audrey II in the film.
Menjivar commented that his favorite part of the musical Little Shop of Horrors was creating live art for others to see. He used the analogy of going to the movies to experience it in a one and done manner. There is only one version and you just saw it, and live theater can change from one night to the next.
“Theater is a beautiful thing to enjoy live,” he said.
Outside of school Menjivar also enjoys playing piano and writing music.