Feed Me Doylestown! Audrey II Taking Over CB West With 'Little Shop'

DOYLESTOWN, PA - Whatever you do, don't feed the plant!

Something big, green and very hungry is headed to Doylestown this November as the Central Bucks West Harlequin Club transforms its stage into Skid Row for "Little Shop of Horrors," the wildly funny, deliciously dark musical with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken.

For just four public performances Nov. 20-22, CB West students will take on one of musical theatre’s most outrageous stories, complete with unforgettable songs, dark comedy, romance, murder and a carnivorous plant whose appetite grows right along with its ambitions.

And this is not your average school plant.

CB West is bringing the only set of Audrey II puppets built by individuals directly involved with the 2003 Broadway show of "Little Shop of Horrors" and the subsequent 2004 National Tour, giving the students the rare opportunity to perform alongside professional-quality versions of one of musical theatre’s most iconic creations.

As Audrey II grows from an innocent-looking potted curiosity into a stage-filling monster, Harlequin Club students will tackle the challenge from every direction: acting, singing, choreography, puppetry, scenic design and construction, lighting, costumes, props, sound and technical production.

Bringing Menken's unforgettable score to life will be a professional live band, adding another layer of energy and excitement to the production.

The cast of Little Shop of Horrors. (Joanna Nadia Photography)

The Urchins. (Joanna Nadia Photography)

Mushnik, Audrey, and Seymour (Joanna Nadia Photography)

Audrey II actors. (Joanna Nadia Photography)

At the center of the story is Seymour Krelborn, a struggling flower-shop employee whose life suddenly changes when he discovers a mysterious new plant. Seymour names it Audrey II, after the woman he loves. The plant brings him attention, success and the possibility of everything he has ever wanted.
But there's just one catch. Audrey II has very specific dietary requirements.

With a score that includes musical-theatre favorites such as "Suddenly Seymour," "Somewhere That's Green," "Dentist!" and "Feed Me (Git It!)," Little Shop of Horrors mixes sci-fi, comedy, romance and horror in a show that has been delighting audiences for decades.

"There is so much for our students to sink their teeth into with this show," said Claudine Piechotta, Director/Producer of the CB West Harlequin Club. "It's big, funny, technically demanding and incredibly entertaining, but it also poses questions about Faustian bargains of ambition — the slippery slopes we tolerate and the ultimate price of getting exactly what we desire. In this production, our students will tackle everything from comedy and character work to music, choreography, design, technical theatre and large-scale puppetry."

The production continues the Harlequin Club's tradition of giving students opportunities both onstage and behind the scenes to take ownership of ambitious theatrical work. Students are involved throughout the production process, helping create the visual world of Skid Row while developing skills in performance, design, technical theatre, collaboration and leadership.

And with only four public performances, audiences will not have many chances to see just how big Audrey II gets.

Public Performances

• Friday, Nov. 20 - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 21 - 3 and 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 22 - 3 p.m.

Central Bucks West High School is located at 375 W. Court Street in Doylestown, PA 18901. Tickets are available by clicking on this link: our.show/cbwestlittleshop