Medfield Theatre Society Fall Musical Review: “Little Shop of Horrors”

Written by Kara Tirrell, Class of 2025

Adapted from the 1960 original film, the Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors took over Medfield High School on the weekend of November 22nd. The musical stars Seymour Krelborn (played by John Torpey), a lonely florist who loves strange and exotic plants. He grapples with the possibility of losing his job due to a lack of business and a growing crush on his co-worker, Audrey (played by Greta Krauss). When a vendor mysteriously appears to sell Seymor an unusual plant, Seymour agrees to revive the business for his boss, Mr. Mushnik (played by Owen Clancy). Unbeknownst to him, the plant (voiced by Ehlias Arias and operated by Caroline Ross), which he names Audrey II, has a unique diet: human blood. 

Directed by Mrs. Cabezud, Mrs. Tremblay, and Mrs. Rimbey, the musical was the product of hard work and dedication over three months spent in preparation for opening night. Throughout its duration, the musical featured intense and highly perfected choreography. The cast moved in sync with one another, executing intricate formations to mirror the rhythm of the music. While dancing, many of the performers simultaneously sang, displaying spectacular vocals and harmonizing. Following the setting of the musical (New York City), many of the actors not only used a New York accent while speaking but also took to singing with said accent—an impressive feat. Its opening number, “Prologue (Little Shop of Horrors),” established the 1960s jazz style of singing, reminiscent of the period, utilizing scat singing. The musical was accompanied by the live performance of Medfield High School’s pit band, conducted by Mr. Bielik. The band’s seamless talents brought a vibrant energy to the production, shifting effortlessly between upbeat and slow rhythms. The chemistry between the musicians and dancers created an electrifying atmosphere, making the music an integral part of the story.

The set, created by Mr. Jacobson and managed by Corey Seaman and Maddie Brackett, went so breathtakingly over the top that it transported the audience back in time. The accurate hair, makeup, and costumes (headed by Amalia Mertiri and Sonya Moiseyeva) reflected the show’s dark comedy through muted tones. The impressive stage design (headed by Maddie Harrington) immersed the audience in New York’s Skid Row, Mushnik’s Flower Shop, and Orin Scrivello’s Dental Clinic (played by Conor Guiney). Additionally, the set included various design aspects, like the props that added life to the musical, including flowers, weapons, and tools (headed by Amelia Meehan). Of course, the dangerous plant, Audrey II, was showcased in four different puppet forms throughout the musical, ending with an 800-pound lifesize plant that eventually took the lives of multiple characters. Alongside the set, Little Shop of Horrors required different lighting and sound to change the atmosphere as the musical changed. Natasha Huss, Cole Render, and Sam Stevens transformed the stage, guiding the audience’s focus through sound design and lighting, while Megan Mak ensured a smooth transition of Front of House before and after the performance, as well as intermission. 

The musical ends with Audrey’s heartbreaking death, soon followed by Seymour’s futile death to avenge her, leaving the audience with an ominous foreshadowing of the future overtaking of Audrey IIs all over the world. Upon their return to the stage for a final bow, the cast received a standing ovation for delivering an unforgettable experience to all those in attendance. After this performance, Medfield Theatre Society’s Spring play is a must-see!

Shoutout to this year’s senior performers, who worked to deliver their final musical performance: Greta Krauss, Eva Larowe, Claire Teany, Becca Cole, Caroline Ross, Ehlias Arias, Milena Arroyo-Ocasio, Olivia Payne, Nora Smith, Colin Thomas, and Katie Goodson. 

Shoutout to the senior techies who supported their final musical from behind the stage: Maddie Harrington, Amelia Meehan, Natasha Huss, Amalia Mertiri, Megan Mak, Corey Seaman, Sonya Moiseyeva, Chloe McCormack, Shayla Forman, Lila Farne, Silas Trotter,  Maggie Wingett, and Dizzie Shaffer.

Theater Cast and Crew: From the Inside

Written by Amalia Mertiri and Becca Cole, Class of 2025

The MHS Theatre Society performed this year’s musical Little Shop of Horrors over the weekend of November 22nd. They had been hard at work for the past few months working on creating characters and building sets. Finally all of that hard work paid off in an incredible three show performance. The set, music, lights, and the giant plant puppet brought the musical to life. The pit band and the incredibly talented cast brought justice to the music and blew the audience away. But the show was stolen by the scary human-sized puppet used for the plant. The Theatre Society rented puppets to use as the plant grows throughout the story. The final and biggest puppet, the most impressive puppet, was the coolest part of the show— especially when it began eating the actors! 

In an interview, Greta Krauss, senior, who played Audrey, talked about her favorite parts of the show. “My favorite parts of the show are ‘Git It,’ when Mushnik is getting eaten, and John’s little solo in ‘Meek Shall Inherit’ (he kills it every time).” Later on, she mentions how much being in theater has affected her; “I just love theater so much. I love being able to hang out with people backstage and bonding with everyone over the course of the show, especially with people from other grades that I wouldn’t otherwise get to know.” Theater is a place where freshmen and seniors can be friends and where you can do something that you love without being judged, whether it is acting onstage or being a part of tech backstage.

The part of theater that gets most overlooked is tech. Although it’s easy to see the finished product and think “that looks easy,” the show started from nothing but scrap wood, leftover paint, random pieces of clothes, and more. For ten Saturdays, the Build, Paint, Props, Costumes, Publicity, and Poster Departments were hard at work to put the show together, only stopping for a pizza lunch. Then, Tech Week came along. Tech Week is the week before the show, where nearly everyone involved stays at school until 7pm to run the show and work through any problems, combining Hair and Makeup, Run Crew, Lights, Sound, Costumes, Props, and Front of House with the actors' hard work. Running through the whole show several times gives actors space to become more comfortable with their lines and character, as well as teaching them when they need to change costumes, switch mics, or grab a prop. 

Obviously, no one would sign up for more work if it wasn’t fun and fulfilling. One thing we have at theater to get our energy (and blood sugar) up is Secret Buddy, which is similar to a week-long Secret Santa. Everyone who signs up has the responsibility of giving their Secret Buddy gifts with the food, drinks, and trinkets they like. That way you’re treating someone else, while also receiving presents from the person that has you as Secret Buddy. Then, on the last show, we bring flowers or a plant to our Secret Buddy and reveal that we’re the one who’s been gifting them for the last six days! 

Enough from me, let’s hear what other students in tech have to say about theater! I’ve asked nine techies to describe their experience, and there was one common theme in many of their experiences—community. With a welcoming and supportive environment, tech has allowed them to meet amazing new people and come out of their shells! It’s easy to feel the energy from others and grow more comfortable and confident in their abilities, especially since they are able to choose whatever aspect they want to help out with for a show and express their own creative ideas. Many have said that theater holds a special place in their hearts, as a space they can be themselves and meet their friends. One freshman, Meredith, even said “theater has been the highlight of my freshman year so far. I have met so many people and have had so much fun participating in the show.” Whether you’re a senior with a lead role or a freshman who just joined tech, theater is a place where your individuality is your strength!