“Little Shop of Horrors” production opens through University Theatre
October 24, 2021
YSU’s University Theatre will present their production of “Little Shop of Horrors” beginning Friday, October 29 through Sunday, November 7 at the YSU Ford Theater in YSU’s Bliss Hall. The show will follow florist shop worker Seymour as he raises a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood.
“I have so enjoyed watching the students grow throughout this process,” guest director Ian Silverman said. “This show has been a tremendous undertaking for the department, especially coming back from the challenges of the past 18 months. I am intensely proud of the work everyone has done and am eager to share that work with an audience."
Performances will be held October 29 – 31 and November 5 – 7 at the YSU Ford Theater. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 PM, with Sunday matinee performances set to start at 2:00 PM. All seats are general admission.
Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for non-YSU students, YSU faculty and staff with a valid ID, YSU alumni, senior citizens, Penguin Club members, and groups of eight (8) or more. YSU student tickets are free with a valid ID. To purchase tickets, call 330-941-3105 or visit www.ysu.tix.com.
Cast members include Lexi Cerny, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Machiah Davis, Cleveland, Ohio; Lacey Farina, Schenectady, New York; Trinity Thomas, Youngstown, Ohio; Tommy DeLuca, Youngstown, Ohio; Elise Vargo, Westerville, Ohio; Samantha Gurd, Poland, Ohio; Adam Dominick, Lancaster, Ohio; Kyle Hudson, Minerva, Ohio; Nathanael Montgomery, Columbiana, Ohio; Rue Deja, Ambridge, Pennsylvania; Minnie Dischert, Hermitage, Pennsylvania; Mallory Erhart, Antwerp, Ohio; and Meredith Pallo, Sharpsville, Pennsylvania.
In addition to the director and conductor, technical staff includes music director Maria Fenty Denison; choreographer Joshua William Green; scenic designer Todd Dicken; production manager, technical director, and sound designer Ryan Fitzpatrick; costume, wig, and makeup designer Katherine N. Garlick; properties and puppet designer Wendy Akers; and lighting designer Ellen Licitra.
The production will also include live music by the Musical Theatre Ensemble, conducted by professor of music Kent Engelhardt. Members include Alex Foose, Altoona, Pennsylvania; Maria Mangine, Lowellville, Ohio; Mason Tribelo, Salineville, Ohio; Noah Landry, Poland, Ohio; Mike Miller, Sharon, Pennsylvania; Devin Zerjav, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Jo’El Harrison, Farrell, Pennsylvania; and Owen Davis, Vienna, Ohio.
A director of both musical theater and opera productions, Silverman’s credits include “Sweeney Todd” (Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Eastman Opera Theater), “Into the Woods” (Ohio Light Opera), “Girl Crazy” (Ohio Light Opera), “Candide” (Brevard Music Center), and “Sondheim on Sondheim” (Brevard Music Center). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Silverman developed a web series, “Where the Good Songs Go,” on YouTube and Facebook that featured virtual productions of rare, early musical theater works.
This winter, Silverman will serve as the resident assistance director at the Palm Beach Opera for productions of “Carmen,” “L’elisir d’Amore,” and “The Merry Widow.” He has also served on the directing staffs of Opera Naples, OnSite Opera, Brevard Music Center, and the Pittsburgh Festival Opera, among others. Silverman has directed productions at the Rochester Fringe Festival, the Miami Children’s Chorus, the Brevard Music Center, and the Eastman Opera Theater.