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Seymour (Chad Tallon) holds his love Audrey (Lily Blouin), who has been attacked by the plant, Audrey II.
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Seymour (Chad Tallon) and Audrey (Lily Blouin) fall in love.
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SMT's July 17-18, 23-25 Show: "Little Shop of Horrors"

July 8, 2009

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MACOMB, IL - - Plant food comes at high personal expense; just ask Seymour Krelborn, who makes a pact with "Audrey II," an ever ravenous plant species from outer space, which lives on a diet of fresh blood and transforms into a bad-mouthed R&B singing carnivore who demands more to eat, as in "Feed me, Seymour."

Western Illinois University's Summer Music Theatre presents the 1980s award-winning rock musical "Little Shop of Horrors," Thursday-Friday, July 17-18, and Thursday-Saturday, July 23-25. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m., and the venue is Horrabin Hall Theatre.

The musical, a satirical spoof of 1950s science fiction movies, features music by Alan Menken, with the book and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman. It won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and the London Evening Standard Award for best musical.

Seymour, played by Chad Tallon (Essex, IL), a first-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) student in acting, is living on skid row. He gains overnight fame when he comes across the unusual plant - - which he calls Audrey II, in honor of a woman he admires named Audrey, played by Lily A. Blouin (Anchorage, AK), a senior musical theatre major - - which flourishes on fresh blood.

The musical features rock 'n' roll and doo-wop numbers including "Somewhere That's Green," "Skid Row" and "Suddenly, Seymour."

Associate Professor D.C. Wright, who is head of movement and stage combat at WIU, is the director; second-year MFA directing student Zachary Roberts (Raleigh, NC) is the assistant director; Craig Fisher (Topeka, KS), a second-year MFA student in directing, is the stage manager; and Sharon Nott, instructor, accompanist and vocal coach, is the music director.

The cast includes senior music business major Dan Reem (Macomb) as Mr. Mushnik; third-year MFA acting student Nathan Grant (Nixa, MO) as Orin, Skip Snip and Chinese Man; sophomore musical theatre major Anna Cline (Grafton, WI) as Crystal; junior musical theatre major Allison Scherer (Geneseo, IL) as Chiffon; junior musical theatre major Anna Zerwer (East Peoria, IL) as Ronnette; senior musical theatre major Erin Glasnovich (Rio, IL) as Audrey II's voice; second-year MFA acting student Susan Brummet (Hollister, CA) as Mrs. Luce and other characters; second-year MFA acting student Ashlee Edgemon (Greenwood, IN) as Bernstein, wino and announcer; vocal music professor Matt Bean as a voice; and puppeteer Matt Laird (Orange City, IA), who manipulates Audrey II.

In addition to performing, Edgemon is also the choreographer. Designers include MFA student Anthony Luetkenhaus (Wentzville, MO) for scene; Bonnie K. Jacobs, costume designer and costume shop supervisor; Professor Timothy J. Kupka for lighting; senior theatre production-design major Michelle Jordan (Northbrook, IL), assistant lighting design, light board operator and scenic construction; senior theatre comprehensive production major Jacob Schenk (Rockton, IL), for sound and sound board operator; and second-year MFA directing major Sandra Ruiz Ortiz (Los Pinos, Chihauhua, Mexico) for properties design.

Technical director is Michael Klippert from Western's theatre and dance department; assistant technical director is senior comprehensive acting major Andy Trusley (Canton, MO); sophomore acting major Sarah Connor (Lake Cathie, New South Wales, Australia) is the scenic artist and part of the scenic construction crew, along with second-year MFA design student Shana J.A. Joslyn (Effingham, IL), junior art major Ken Yeater (Galesburg, IL) and Joshua Whitinger, son of Klippert, from New York. Costume construction is by senior art major Kari Warning (Camp Point, IL), second-year MFA design student Cynthia Lohrman (Macomb) and Spring 2008 Bachelor of Trustees Bachelor of Arts (BOT/BA) degree graduate, with a minor in theatre, Justin Collings (Mendota, IL).

Show tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens age 62 and older and $10 for children 12 years old and younger. Call the Hainline Theatre Box Office, (309) 298-2900, between noon-5 p.m. weekdays.

For more information, contact Western's theatre and dance department at (309) 298-1543.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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