Auditions for Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap start today, October 8 from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. The Mousetrap is a great murder mystery play that features 8 fantastic roles. We will also be having auditions on Saturday, October 10 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Monday, October 12 from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. For more information on auditions, click here.
Hope to see you at auditions!
Lyric Arts had the opportunity to discuss Little Shop of Horrors with David Ulrich who plays a sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello D.D.S. Check out what this multi-talented character had to share with Lyric Arts.
LA: Tell us a little bit about why this particular rock musical interested you?
DU: Every music number is a hit. And this isn’t an easy show to do. You have to have a very talented cast to pull off a ‘big’ musical with only nine actors. Not many theatre companies can pull it off and I waited for over ten years to do this show with the right people at the right company.
LA: Talk about the character that you play in Little Shop of Horrors. How have you developed this character?
DU: I couldn’t be having more fun. Not only do I get to play the sadistic character of Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. – but I play most of the other male roles in the show as well. They all need to be defined so the audience has the illusion of five very different characters. Yup, I play FIVE; including a woman!
The character of the Dentist is tricky. He is very abusive to his girlfriend, Audrey. But he also needs to be affable and funny. After all, the Dentist isn’t the villain in this story, it’s the plant. I just read the script and let the authors words tell me what they need to say about the character. But I also have an arsenal of past characters I’ve played and scores of film and TV characters to pull from.
LA: Talk about your fellow cast members, how do you see their characters developing? Any that you are particularly amazed at?
DU: They are all so talented it’s hard to single out anything. It can be easy to copy the movie but I don’t see any of that happening here. Sarah, the woman playing Audrey, is a fabulous performer. It’s hard to think about Little Shop without the amazing performance of Ellen Greene but Sarah is doing the role with that same, sweet ‘naïve is bliss’ but bringing her own elements to the role.
One of my favorite things about being an actor is having that ‘backstage access’ that no one else sees. We come to rehearsal in our street clothes and talk about our lives outside the theatre. We watch each other create, make mistakes, ‘nail it’ for the first time. It’s such a treat to see the characters that you see, but also see how different we all are from these people we make up in our minds. Because you are so exposed when creating, you immediately bond and become a family. That’s ONE of my favorite things about this process.
Okay, I’ll say it. Our Do-Wop girls are all white. Their roles are typically played by all black women. It requires this sensual affair with music and done in a Supreme’s meets Tina Turner attitude. They all are gifted singers and they have created such a wonderful trio that, despite your love affair with the original, you’ll be thankful you witnessed these girls perform.
LA: Being that Anoka is the Halloween Capital of the World, how is this show appropriate for the Halloween season?
DU: Well, you better get your tickets now because this is the PERFECT Halloween show! It has a man eating plant for goodness sake.
LA: Please tell us a little bit about yourself?
DU: I have been working in marketing and brand promotions for the last six years. But with a twist. I live onboard cruise ships for much of the year and promote everything from restaurants in ports of call to luxury watches and jewelry. I am looking to relocate here to Minneapolis so if you want an experience brand manager AND want to get free tickets to every show I’m in, just meet me after the show and I’ll give you my resume!
LA: Any other area that you would like to comment on?
DU: It’s always strange performing at a new company. You get comfortable with the people around you; the actors, musicians, technicians and director. Learning a new place is both nerve wracking and exhilarating. The entire staff at Lyric Arts and the production team for Little Shop have made this such a positive experience and I can’t wait to work with these people again. Thank you so much for supporting local theatre!!!
LA: Little Shop of Horrors opens Friday, October 16, and runs through Sunday, November 1. Tickets available by phone (763-422-1838) or online.
The best thing about working on a musical, especially with songs as catchy as the ones in Little Shop is that I CONSTANTLY have one of them stuck in my head.
Holla back ‘atcha girl if you know what I mean!
Last week I had “Suddenly Seymour” running through my head 24/7. Then for a brief time this weekend I had, although unrelated to Little Shop, the Bonnie Tyler 80′s power ballad, ”Total Eclipse of the Heart” stuck in my head. Which let’s be honest here, totally rocks my face off. I love that song. It makes me want me slow dance with my boyfriend, seventh grade style, every time I hear it.
*serious head nod*
However, as of yesterday, “TEOTH” has been replaced with the chorus of “Mushnik and Son.”
That song’s a real crowd pleaser with a little bit of a suprise thrown in the middle of it. I can’t wait for audiences to see the comic genius of Nick Menzhuber and Ron Tolliver. They really do it up on that song! So I guess it’s no wonder I have it stuck in my head! They are pretty amazing.
It’s anyone’s guess what the next song will be….but I will be sure to keep you posted!
Lyric Arts was able to chat with Molly Landgrebe who plays Chiffon in the upcoming production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Check out what she had to say about the show.
LA: Please tell us a little bit about yourself?
ML: I’ve been a theatre-loving ham since just about birth. My family would take me to plays when I was a child, and they’d be a bit taken aback at my immediate reaction – no words, no outward expression. Days after the performance, I’d be acting out entire scenes. I tend to be pretty shy in person but I LOVE becoming someone/something else on stage. It’s very exciting – kind of like dressing up for Halloween all year round!
LA: For those that are unfamiliar with Little Shop of Horrors can you tell us about the show?
ML: Seymour Krelborn, your basic underachiever with huge dreams, makes it big when his strange and interesting plant draws record-breaking crowds to Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists. His love interest, Audrey, assures him that yes, she loves him in spite of the fame and success, but Audrey Two – the plant – takes over Seymour’s life in a creepy but fascinating way.
LA: Tell us a little bit about why this particular rock musical interested you?
ML: It’s so creepy, yet hilarious! The idea of a larger-than-life, man-eating plant is just the best. Plus the thought of being involved in a horror musical during Halloween, in ANOKA, was just too fabulous to ignore!
LA: Talk about the character that you play in Little Shop of Horrors. How have you developed this character?
ML: I play Chiffon – one of the Doo-Wop girls – we basically “narrate” the story through song, and provide comic bits as well. To me, Chiffon tolerates her skid row situation with humor and sarcasm. She’s sassy and street-smart – completely the opposite of me! But I channel a bit of Linda Richman from Coffee Talk, Judge Judy, and Vito Corleone to create Chiffon – and I’m having a blast doing it!
LA: Little Shop of Horrors the movie is considered by some “a cult classic” for those that have seen the movie why should they come and see the stage version?
ML: That’s easy – it’s live theatre! There’s nothing like it. You’re part of the action. As an actor, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It’s that “instant gratification” of getting the audience response immediately, rather than waiting for reviews or box office numbers.
LA: Little Shop of Horrors opens Friday, October 16, and runs through Sunday, November 1. Tickets available by phone (763-422-1838) or online.
Hey, fans!
Lyric Arts is excited to announce the formation of “The Club,” a group designed for theater lovers aged 21 to 39 to meet new people, hang out with friends, and see some fantastic local theater.
Our first event will be held on Friday, October 23, for Little Shop of Horrors. $22 will get you a ticket to the show, a pre-party in our Dance Studio featuring food from Thanh Do in Anoka and a beer tasting courtesy of Surly Brewing Company, and an after party in the Wine Bar with desserts from Truffles & Tortes!
Space is limited! Click here for full information.
We hope you can join us!
Laura Tahja Johnson
Managing Director
420 East Main Street • Anoka, MN 55303 • 763-422-1838 • info@lyricarts.org
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