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Schools

Seneca Valley Musical Takes Audience To 'Skid Row'

Students to present five performances of this year's show, "Little Shop of Horrors."


Faux-brick walls, a fire escape and a house stoop line the auditorium stage at .

Like the cast and crew, the set, which a theater professional designed and Seneca Valley students and parents built, is ready for the debut this weekend of the musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”

After a long production week and rehearsals that lasted until 9 p.m. every day, it's finally time for the students to perform for an audience.

Aaron Magill, the high school choral director and musical producer, said he looks forward to seeing the audience’s reaction to the show.

“They are always amazed at the things the students can do,” he said.

High school students will present the musical with the assistance of a chorus of fifth- and sixth-graders. A 12-piece student band will perform from a loft above the stage.

Seneca Valley teachers and theater professionals will guide and direct the students. Magill, who has overseen musical productions at the school for the past six years, said he brought a team of directors and choreographers with him.

The director this year, Stephen Santa, works with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and directs theater throughout Pittsburgh. He said it is becoming more common for high schools to bring in outside professionals to helm their shows.

“It is a luxury to have working professionals come in, and it’s a great thing,” said Santa. “It shows [students] what to do on a professional stage.”

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Santa enjoys his craft, whether working with professionals or students. He believes students should be exposed to classic and modern musicals, such as “Little Shop of Horrors.”

“It’s important to experience that all within their high school careers,” he said.

Last year, Santa directed Seneca Valley’s performance of the musical “Oklahoma.” This year, the students are enjoying the rock-and-roll riffs of "Little Shop of Horrors,"  he said. While the music is easy to move to, its six-part harmonies make it a challenge to sing.

The musical is set on a poor, urban street called Skid Row. Seymour Krelborn, the lead character played by junior Conner Gillooly, works at Mushnik’s flower shop. After purchasing an odd-looking plant that grows to monstrous proportions, Seymour is catapulted to fame.

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But fame has its cost. The plant demands food, but mere water and sunlight do not satisfy its appetite. Soon the plant starts to get out of hand, and Seymour’s love interest, Audrey, played by senior Kara Cavanaugh, comes to the rescue. Audrey helps Seymour realize he always had courage and confidence -- and he didn't need the plant for it.

“It is the difference between right and wrong,” Gillooly said. “It’s the quick satisfaction of the wrong thing, but you are better off if you take the high road.”

Gillooly said that playing nerdy Seymour is pretty easy for him because he is a lot like the character. Cavanaugh said she had to step outside her comfort zone to play Audrey.

“She’s a lot different than me, but some situations she is in I can relate to,” she said.

Cavanaugh hopes to continue with theater after she graduates in June. She is still waiting to hear back from a few colleges, but plans to major in musical theater. Her dream role is to play Belle in "Beauty and the Beast,” she said.

“[Acting] is an emotional outlet, and you can be someone that you’re not,” she said. “It’s a good way to express yourself.”

She said Santa is helping her navigate through the post-high-school theater world. Working in professional theater, Santa has a lot of theater knowledge to share with students, and Cavanaugh said he has taught her a lot.

“Little Shop of Horrors” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. There also will be shows at 7:30 p.m. March 11 and 12.


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