Preview of Goshen Players 'Little Shop of Horrors'

CAST OF GOSHEN PLAYERS’ “HORROR” WILL DELIGHT!

The incredibly talented cast and crew of Goshen Players’ upcoming production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is guaranteed to delight audiences.

GOSHEN, CT - 22 February 2013 - Rehearsals have begun and the talent is amazing! Goshen Players is delighted to present “Little Shop of Horrors” for a run of eight performances over three weekends starting April 19, 2013. The gifts of this cast and crew guarantee sold out performances, so get your tickets early!

Directed by Dan Checovetes, this tale of longing, love, ne’er-do-well dentists, good intentions and man-eating plants will delight you from start to finish. Never one to shrink from technical challenges, Checovetes’ presence as director promises a spectacular production.

Musical direction is by Dan Porri, no stranger to local theatre-goers. Fresh from his success in the role of Joe Gillis in the Warner Theatre’s production of “Sunset Boulevard”, Porri now turns his talents to that of musical director. Though not a starring stage role this time for Porri, his abilities assure an evening of music not to be missed.

Checovetes and Porri have assembled a cast of all-stars for this production. Though numbering only nine, this group has talent for three times that many.

Seymour, the ever-longing, ever-wishing, ever-well-meaning, ever-sweet hero of the piece is played by Jimmy Donohue of Vernon. Donohue is well known in local and regional theatre, having appeared in countless productions throughout the state, including Goshen Players’ productions of “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”.

The heroine of the piece, Audrey, is played by Litchfield talent Katie Brunetto. Bringing the sweet and vulnerable character to life (and song) is like breathing for Brunetto, who has been acting, singing and dancing all of her life. Her extensive local and regional experiences have been augmented by the hands-on education which only a national tour of “The Magic Tree House” might provide.

Joining Seymour and Audrey in the ill-fated flower shop is their boss, Mr. Mushnik. Poor Mushnik is brought to sweaty and failure-filled comedic life by Scott Stanchfield of Torrington, who last was seen as one of the really-I’m -not-dead tenors in

Providing the third leg in a love triangle is the sadistic dentist Orin, played by Mark Roemisch of Litchfield. An enormous comedic talent, Roemisch brings to this role his years of experience in television sketch comedy and at the National Theater in Munich, Germany.

While the man-eating plant, Audrey II, is played by a complex and ever-growing puppet, the Voice of Audrey II is played by Meric Martin of Bristol. As musical director of Bristol High School Theatre Program and Getup Stage Company in Bristol, Martin is used his work being heard. In a change of pace for this role, he remains unseen, while his voice brings the increasingly diabolical Audrey II to life.

Participating in the action onstage as well as a Greek Chorus outside of it, three of the most talented voices in the region are cast as Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon, local street urchins. Played by Gia Wright, Alyssa Fontana (The Taffetas) and Meredith Porri (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) respectively, these hip young women are the only characters in the piece who really know what is going on - their siren songs will delight from start to finish.

Rounding out the cast is the hardest working man on stage. Frank Beaudry is slated to play no fewer than eight roles in the piece, a feat that only someone of his talents could possibly accomplish!

Editor's note: Jennifer Bunger is doing the choreography for the show. Mrs. Porri tells me that "after three rehearsals, we have four dances done! She's doing a great job!"

“Little Shop of Horrors” will be presented by Goshen Players, Inc. at Old Goshen Town Hall, 2 North Street, at the Rotary junction of Routes 4 and 63, Goshen CT on April 19, 20, 26, 27, May 3 and 4 at 8:00 pm and April 21 and 28 at 5:00 pm.

All seating is reserved and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 860.491.9988 or by visiting www.goshenplayers.org. All tickets to all performances are $22. For information on group sales and discounts, please call the Box Office.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International and is generously underwritten by Torrington Savings Bank.