A ‘strange and interesting plant’ is coming to a Maple Ridge high school

A plant that only eats human flesh will be growing on stage at Garibaldi Secondary as the school’s Interdisciplinary Arts Academy gets ready to put on the cult classic Little Shop Of Horrors.

The story follows a meek shop assistant named Seymour as he falls for his coworker, Audrey.

During a total eclipse, however, Seymour stumbles across a mysterious plant and ends up naming it the Audrey II. Shortly after, he discovers that the plant only feeds on human flesh and blood, and now he must find a way to keep the plant alive as it attracts a lot of business and has a curious way of making his dreams come true.

The horror/comedy is an adaptation of the 1960 film called The Little Shop Of Horrors, direc ted by Roger Corman. It then became an off-Broadway musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, and was put to film again in 1986, this time called Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Frank Oz.

Sharmila Miller, the Interdisciplinary Arts Academy director at Garibaldi, in addition to artistic director and teacher, explained that Little Shop of Horrors, is the academy’s inaugural student-led production – with student directors, choreographers, stage managers, props builders, costume designers, and set builders.

And, Miller noted, all of the puppets seen on stage have been hand-crafted for the production by the cast and crew, and one parent.

Student-director, Makayla Gallacher, explained the choice of Little Shop Of Horrors comes from a dream to give audiences a chilling experience, paired with good laughs.

“This show not only has great music, a giant singing plant, and dynamic characters, but will leave you humming the songs for days,” she said.

And, she added, the music was written by Alan Menken, who also wrote the music for: The Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin (1992), and Hercules (1997).

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Miller noted the Interdisciplinary Arts Academy is dedicated to providing students with hands-on, immersive learning through the production of theatrical performances – and for the first time student-led.

“The students involved in producing this show have shown incredible dedication and resourcefulness,” said Miller.

“Both cast and crew are gaining a wide range of competencies from interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, to project management, time management, and creative thinking. They will walk away with the confidence of having achieved a monumental goal: putting on a full- scale Broadway musical,” she added.

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Garibaldi Secondary’s production of Little Shop Of Horrors opens on Wednesday, June 21, and runs until Friday, June 23. There will be two matinee shows – one on Wednesday, June 21, and the other on Thursday, June 22; and two evening shows – one on Wednesday, June 21 and one on Friday, June 23.

Doors open 9:30 a.m. for the matinees and at 7 p.m. for the evening performances.

Tickets are $10 for matinees and $18 for the evening shows and are available online only at vtixonline.com/?search=little+shop.

For more information, call the school at 604-463-6287 or email sharmila_miller@sd42.ca.

The Garibaldi Theatre is located at 24789 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Maple Ridge, and the entrance is off of 248 Street.