Little Shop of Horrors Digital Program by Cotuit Center for the Arts

JULY 10 THROUGH JULY 28, 2024

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Music by Alan Menken, Book by Howard Ashman

Directed by Joan Baird

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Little Shop of Horrors has become a much loved sci-fi off-Broadway musical that first premiered in 1982. This comedy/horror rock musical with music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman has delighted audiences, and to this day is still running off-Broadway at the West Side Theatre in NYC. The story revolves around a nerdy florist named Seymour who discovers a strange and exotic plant during the “total eclipse of the sun”. He soon realizes that this plant has a craving for fresh, human blood. As the plant grows, it becomes more demanding, and Seymour must make difficult choices to keep it alive. This award-winning show has been highly acclaimed for its catchy songs, dark humor, and the most memorable characters. This show has been performed all around the world and was also adapted as a movie. Over the years, Little Shop of Horrors became a sensation and has gathered quite a “cult” following. We have assembled a talented cast of young and old and we’ve all had a blast watching this musical come together. But, the star of this story is Audrey 2 and it is coming for YOU! Enjoy this fun and quirky summertime production!

Just remember: They may offer you fortune and fame, love and money and instant acclaim, but whatever they offer you... Don’t feed the plants!

PLEASE NOTE

There will be one 15-minute intermission

Please make sure that you have silenced all electronic devices

Please, no flash photography or recording devices

Please note, this show contains numerous strobe light effects

CAST

Audrey ............................................................................................... Lily Anderson

Seymour ................................................................................................... DJ Kotska

Audrey 2 ............................................................................................ Alex Valentine

Audrey 2 Puppeteer ................................................................................ Matt Eason

Orin ............................................................................................... Hadassah Nelson

Mushnik ................................................................................................ Jakob White

Bernstein, Snip, and Luce .................................................................. Cooper White

The Urchins ...............................................................................................................

Gwen Calderbank, Mia Duncan, Kristin Fehlau, Felix O’Connor, Kylie Shelott, Tasha Whited

Ensemble ...................................................................................................................

Violet Moore, Jonathon Rodman, Robin Shea

CREW

Director .................................................................................................... Joan Baird

Stage Managers ..................................................... Erin Zorzy, Christian McCarthy

Producer ............................................................................................... Jason Mellin

Musical Director ................................................................................... Pam Wannie

Choreographer ....................................................................................... Meg Morris

Set Team .......................................................................... Michael Ernst, Mary Rice

Costume Designer .............................................................................. Amy Canaday

Props Designer .................................................................................. Bonnie Corliss

Lighting Designer ................................................................................. Greg Hamm

Sound Designer/Operator ..................................................................... Jay Sheehan

Lighting Board Operator ............................................................... Moose Hoagland

Backstage Crew ...................................................................................... Brett Baird

THE BAND

Keyboard ....................................................................................................... Pam Wannie

Percussion ...................................................................................................... Chris Santos

Guitar ............................................................................................................... Dave Griers

Bass ................................................................................................................ Zach Wannie

special thanks

Tim Boyce, Laurel Franke, Jackie Heath, Ava Klaetke, Liam McCarthy, Gavin Mulligan, Chris O’Sullivan, MacKensie O’Sullivan, Christina Pyrros, Charlotte Silberling, Atlas Rosenfeld, Candence Wood, and Olivia Wood.

CAST AND CREW BIOS

Alex Valentine (Audrey 2) is psyched to be in this production of LittleShop, and excited to work with this cast and crew. You may remember Alex from Into the Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince) or SomethingRotten (one of Cape Cod Times’ “favorite shows of 2023” in which they write “Noted Cape performer Alex Valentine was superbly riotous as Nick Bottom). Alex also directed Godspell at FTG. Alex has also performed in many shows at Cotuit Center for the Arts including Victor/Victoria, Muskrat Love 2, and SweeneyTodd. Special thanks to Marc Lalosh and Tracey L. Harrison, Brain and Soul for his first LilShop. May they shine and protect us. Alex is thankful for his theater family and as always thanks Mom, Tita, Jenny, Mame, HRH the Storyteller and his Princess.

Amy Canaday (Costume Designer) As a freelance costume and prop designer, Amy has spent the last decade working on shows at theaters and schools around Cape Cod. Some of her favorite past shows include: Sunday in the Park with George, Man of La Mancha, Elf, and Legally Blonde at Cotuit Center for the Arts; RockofAges,Urinetown, and She Kills Monsters at the Tilden Art Center at Cape Cod Community College; She Loves Me, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Assassins at Eventide Theater Company; and Straight White Men and TheCompleteWorksofWilliamShakespeare (Abridged) at Wellfleet Harbor Actor’s Theater. She would like to thank everyone at CCFTA and her long-suffering family for once again letting her take over the house with costume projects.

Bonnie Corliss (Props Designer) As a prop designer and production assistant Bonnie has spent the last 15 years working at multiple theaters in Southeastern Massachusetts. She was the 2022 Dash award recipient for best prop design for her work on Eventide Theater Company’s production of Into The Woods. Some of her favorite productions include: Mary Poppins (CCFTA), Grease! (CCFTA), LegallyBlonde (CCFTA) Company (ETC), and Assassins (ETC)

Christian J. McCarthy (Stage Manager) Christian is so excited to be assistant stage managing LittleShopofHorrors. This is his first time being on the stage management side, and he is very thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful production. He’d like to thank the incredibly talented cast, his family and friends for supporting him endlessly, and the fabulous production team for creating this amazing show, and most importantly, his fellow Stage Manager,

CAST AND CREW BIOS (CONT’d)

Erin Zorzy, for being such a wonderful mentor. He hopes you all enjoy your time down on Skid Row!

DJ Kostka (Seymour Krelborn) DJ is thrilled to be performing on the Cotuit stage again. Previously, he performed in parades and shows at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida for 10 years. You may have seen him recently as Emmett in Legally Blonde or in September Morn. A NeilDiamondTribute. Other recent theatrical roles include Rooster (Annie), Kevin (StageKiss), Prince Charming (Cinderella), Will Parker (Oklahoma!), and Bobby (Company). Special thanks to this amazing cast for making this such a fun experience, to Pam, Meg, Joan, and David for this amazing opportunity and to his family for all of their continued love and support. @djkostka

Erin Zorzy (Stage Manager) Erin is excited to be part of LittleShopofHorrors at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. Carrying over from past shows at CCFTA, she brought boundless energy to LegallyBlonde and skillfully managed the dynamic CatonaHotTinRoof. Her experience includes Cinderella,Intothe Woods, and Dracula at KMC Onstage in Germany. Erin thanks Christian McCarthy for keeping her sane (You have no idea how much you supported me). She looks forward to many more productions at CCFTA!

Felix O’Connor (Urchin (Crystal)) Felix O’Connor is a driven and determined actor who is going to be a Junior at Sturgis Charter Public School at the East Campus this upcoming school year. They are very passionate about all mediums of visual and Performing Arts. They notably played the roles of; The Boy in The Boy at the Edge of Everything at Sturgis East, and Charlie Bucket in WillyWonkaat JPII. This is their first show at CCftA and they hope to perform more in the future!

Greg Hamm (Lighting Design) Greg started his lighting career at age 14, apprenticing at the Cape Playhouse across the street. For six seasons, he was master electrician, then house manager his last year. He graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in technical theater. From there, he worked off Broadway at the Manhattan Theater Club in NYC, then moving forward, worked for Tom Field Associates in Boston and Los Angeles in the arena of rock and roll lighting design, production and movie work. Returning to the East in 1984, he continued designing concert tours, corporate shows, theatrical, dance, residential commercial lighting. Concert tours include Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Madonna, Wham, Lionel Ritchie, Huey Lewis and the News, Pattie LaBelle, Harry Connick Jr, Aretha Franklin to name a few. Greg lights 2-6 local productions and music events a month on Cape Cod.

CAST AND CREW BIOS (cont’d)

Gwen Calderbank (Urchin) Gwen is a rising junior at Manhattanville University for a BFA in musical theater. She appeared most recently in her school’s main stage production of Carousel and Iolanthe at the College Light Opera Company. She is so excited to be in her first production with Cotuit. Up next she will appear in her school’s Main stage production of Into the Woods.

Hadassah R. Nelson (Orin) Hadassah was last seen as Jody in the Cotuit Center for the Arts’ production of Overcome and Mr. Green in Falmouth Theatre Guild’s production of Clue. Previous CCFTA roles include Miss Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical, Snoopy in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and The Hawker in The Who’s Tommy. Favored roles include Lady Macbeth, from Macbeth, Carla from TheWasp and Henry V from The Life ofKingHenryV. She is so happy to be able to participate in another CCFTA show. Special thanks to her incredibly supportive Cape Cod friends, her loved ones near and far, Buffy, Michael, Mariann, and absolutely everyone involved in this production.

Hannah McLaughlin (Spot Op) Hannah is excited to return as a spot operator for LittleShopofHorrorsmaking this her 16th production with the Center. Along with running spotlight, she has also worked as a stage manager at Cotuit Center for the Arts and Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre. Recent stage management credits include Finding Nemo The Musical (CCTC/HJT), The Lightning Thief (CCTC/HJT), and Doubt (CCTC/ HJT). During the day she is an ELL teacher at Hyannis West Elementary. She would like to thank her family for their continuing support.

Jakob White (Mushnik) Making his CCftA debut, Jakob was most recently seen on stage as Shylock in Falmouth Theatre Guild’s production of SomethingRotten! His favorite role, however, is Director, where he’s recently directed Harvey (‘23) and Clue (‘24) for FTG, and will be bringing Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile to FTG’s Highfield Theater in January ‘25. Jakob is thankful for the opportunity to share the stage for the first time with his son, Cooper, and for the encouragement and support of his wife, Nicole.

CAST AND CREW BIOS (cont’d)

Jay Sheehan (Sound Designer/Engineer) A Two-time NE Emmy nominated sound engineer, Jay Sheehan has been providing sound and sound design for various venues across New England. Theatrical shows have included Cotuit’s WeAretheChampionsa Queen tribute show, LegallyBlonde,PianoMenI/I’, MuskratLove2,SoundofMusic,HelloDolly,Matilda,Grease, and Tommy; Cape Rep’s The Tuna Goddess by Jade Schuyler; and LadyDay,Songsofthe New World and Grease for Cape Playhouse. He also provides concert sound for Cotuit, the Music Room, and Woods Hole Film Festival. A freelance sound mixer for music, film and television, including HitandRunHistoryon RIPBS and BonnieBlue:JamesCotton; his clients have included Arts Foundation CC, Cape Symphony, CCA, George Gritzbach, Jerry Portnoy, James Montgomery, plus IBM, Disney, 20th Century Fox, and others. He is also the Director of IT for Cape Media Center, a public access station in Dennisport, and enjoys his time with his wife and two sons.

Joan McKenzie-Baird (Director) Joan is honored and thrilled to be directing once again at Cotuit Center for the Arts. Her previous shows at CCftA include Man of La Mancha and Elf the Musical. Joan has also directed at Falmouth Theatre Guild, Eventide Theatre Company along with many other groups including middle school and high school productions over her 30 yrs. of directing. At a young age Joan caught the theater/opera bug and has performed in community theater, summer stock and professional theater in Chicago, Newport, RI and Rochester, NY. Her most recent favorite directorial credits include: It’saWonderfulLife-TheMusical,TheBridgesofMadison County,FunHome,BeautyandtheBeastat FTG and Assassins at ETC. Joan would like to thank her production team: Pam, Meg, Erin, Christian and Jason for all their work and support. Special thanks to the cast and everyone that helped on this production, including backstage, sets, props, costumes, orchestra, sound and lights! Also, my husband, Brett Baird for all you do. Thank you David Kuehn for being a true inspiration and supporter of the arts here at Cotuit and throughout Cape Cod.

Jonathan Rodman (Ensemble) Jonathan Rodman or his famously known identity Jason Mellin has been doing shows around Cape for a while. But Jason is most known for his renowned and impressive title of Patron and Community Connections Manager. He is also known for his well kept and groomed beard. His love for Cotuit is endless and his always joking and passionate spirit helps inspire others. He is often described as kind, funny, and the world’s sassiest boss and can’t wait to spread and show his sassiness to the world!

CAST AND CREW BIOS (cont’d)

Kingsley White (Ensemble/Customer/Mr.Bernstein/Ms.Luce/Skip Snip/Patrick Martin) Ever since Kingsley was a wee homunculus he had dreamed of the stage. Throughout high school Kingsley has starred in just about every show performed by the Bourne High School Drama Club, including but not limited to Alice in Wonderland, Newsies, and A Christmas Carol. Kingsley would like to thank his friends, family, and fellow actors (many of which are one and the same). He’d especially like to thank his parents for making him what he is today, as well as his lovely partner Riley who encourages and inspires him every day.

Kristin K Fehlau (Urchin (Chiffon) Kristin is thrilled to be part of this production. A fan since a kid of the 1986 film, finally she’ll get to bebop and doo-wop across the stage in the Broadway version. This is her first time back with Cotuit Center for The Arts in quite some time. Formerly of Falmouth, now living in Framingham, Kristin revisited her acting roots after a 5 year hiatus by appearing in Pippin and TheCuriousIncidentOfTheDogInThe Night-Time last year with A Common Thread Theater Company. Other theater credits include Miss Mazeppa (Gypsy), Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), Mrs. Fezziwig (ScroogeTheMusical), Domina (AFunnyThingHappenedOnThe WayToTheForum) and Brave Horse Music’s The Beat Goes On, A Tribute To The 60’s. Kristin has helped behind the scenes as well for shows like (Fun Home), which was also directed by Joan McKenzie Baird. Kristin thanks her stellar cast-mates and graciously appreciates her director for the warm welcome back! Lastly, none of this could be possible without the constant love and support of her friends and family.

Kylie Shelott (Urchin (Ronette)) Kylie is an upcoming, driven and inspired actress who just graduated from Sturgis Charter Public School at the East Campus. She is very passionate about music and theatre and she can’t imagine life without those things. She notably played the role of Audrey in Little ShopofHorrors at Sturgis and is very glad to be doing the show again as it is one of her favorite shows. At Cotuit, she was in the ensemble of HelloDolly last summer, was a Big Scary Kid in Matildaand most recently played the role of Kate in LegallyBlonde. This fall, she will be pursuing a B.F.A in Musical Theatre at Dean College. She’d like to thank her family and friends for supporting her in all of her artistic pursuits. She is very excited to be performing in her fourth show in a row with CCFTA!

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CAST AND CREW BIOS (cont’d)

Lily Anderson (Audrey) Lily is a 23 year old life long Cape Codder who has been doing shows at Cotuit for just about 10 years now and is thrilled to be back on stage for LittleShop! Most recently you may have seen her as Vivienne in LegallyBlondeor Ben in MattandBen.You can see her next in More Women Rock coming to the Cotuit stage July 31st! A special thanks to her parents, her grandparents, her brother, her best friends Emma and Jon, and her partner Drew for their support. Instagram: @lily.thirza

Mary Rice (Set Team) Mary Rice has appeared as Mrs. Brill in MaryPoppins and Ethel in On Golden Pond, Mrs. Shears and Mrs. Gascoyne in The CuriousIncidentoftheDogintheNight at The Tilden Art Center, and as Frau Blucher in YoungFrankenstein at Cape Cod Theatre Company. She was the costume designer for BarefootinthePark, prop Master for Dr.Doolittle, and created and directed the premier of TheHappyCabbagePuppetTheater in CCftA’s Black Box. She is currently a part of the design team at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

Meg Morris (Choreographer) Meg is so happy to be working again with Holly, Pam, and all her talented friends on this production. Meg has sung and danced her way across Cape Cod stages for over a decade. CCftA is her second home, having appeared here in many shows, including Grease, The LadieswhoBrunch,Tommy,MaryPoppins,JesusChristSuperstar, and more. She also choreographed Grease, Nunsense and Doctor Doolittle, and assisted on last summer’s production of Hello, Dolly! She is looking forward to serving as choreographer for upcoming CCftA show Fiddler on the Roof. Meg has also appeared in productions with Eventide Theatre Company, Falmouth Theatre Guild, and CCTC/HJT. When she is not on stage or behind the scenes, she can be found at Sturgis Charter Public School as the Human Resources Coordinator. A huge thank you goes out to her kids- Ian, Nina, and Julian.

Mia K. Duncan (Urchin) Mia is 17 years old and this is her first show at Cotuit! She is so happy to be given this opportunity because she is familiar with LittleShop, having been in a production two years ago at Sturgis East High School. She is thankful to everyone working in the cast and crew of this show and thinks she’s found many friends that she’ll be happy to work with in the future. She would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting what she does, and thank you to her Dad, for carting her around everywhere and trying to understand her wacky creative passions.

CAST AND CREW BIOS (cont’d)

Michael Ernst (Set Team) Michael is the Building & Grounds Manager for the Center. He has been designing & building sets for the Center since 2013, including this year’s productions of CatonaHotTinRoofand LegallyBlonde and last year’s productions of Barefoot in the Park and HelloDolly.

Pam Wannie (Music Director) Pam Wannie is delighted to be at CCftA and to work with such fabulously talented vocalists and musicians, and production team members on her all time favorite show LittleShopofHorrors . On Cape, Pam has been music director and pianist for a number of shows including: LegallyBlonde,Grease,and SoundofMusicat CCFTA; NexttoNormal,and Company at Eventide Theater; and It’saWonderfulLifeand StoryofMyLife at Falmouth Theater Guild along with numerous shows at Cape Cod Academy. Additionally she created a musical backdrop for Blithe Spirit and has music directed and conducted Into the Woods at ETC, Elf and World Goes Round at CCFTA. Her re-entry into Community Theater was as a pianist at Barnstable Comedy Club for GuysandDollsand MyFairLady, and as Music Director for Woods Hole Theater Company’s Next to Normal. Prior to that she taught music at various performing arts schools and was on the faculty at Cape Cod Academy. By day Rev. Pam is the Coordinator of Spiritual Care at Duffy Health Center and Pastor for Homeless Ministries at the Cape Cod Council of Churches. I am So grateful for the amazing team here at Cotuit, grateful to be able to share my love of theater with my son Zack, and even more grateful to my husband who has been my biggest supporter and fan for over 30 years. “What a gift to be part of this beautiful theater community.”

Zachary Wannie (Bass) Zachary is excited to return for his third show here at Cotuit! After Participating in Sound of Music in 2022 and LegallyBlonde this past spring, Zack is ready to get off the stage and into the background playing with the band for LittleShopofHorrors. This is Zack’s second time in the band after playing synth strings for Eventide’s production of Company.

Robin Shea (Ensemble) Robin is approximately 5”10. He has blonde hair and green eyes. About 2/3rds robot. And can shoot lasers out of his eyes.

Tasha Whited (Trixie) Having recently been seen as Serena in the Greek chorus in Legally Blonde the Musical at Cotuit Center for the Arts, Tasha is grateful to return to the stage at CCFTA in what she considers the “Original” Greek chorus. To perform such brilliant songs thanks to her childhood composer and lyricist heroes, Alan Menken and the late, great Howard Ashman

CAST AND CREW BIOS (cont’d)

(who are responsible for 90% of her karaoke repertoire), is an honor. Favorite past roles include Mabel in PiratesofPenzance, Kim McAfee in ByeBye Birdie, and the Singing Telegram Girl in Clue. Much love and gratitude to her parents for letting her watch both the film & stage production of Little ShopofHorrorsat the age of six, and to her better half, Keirnon, for showing her she can…

Violet Moore (Ensemble) Violet is so excited to be making her debut for the Cotuit Center of the Arts.Violet remembers seeing Little Shop of Horrors for the first time with her Grandmother when she was a child. She was completely enchanted by the hilarious but morbid aesthetic of the original film. Since then Violet has seen more productions of LSOH that she can count but it has always been a dream to be in a production of this show and have her Grandma see her in grandchild in her favorite show. Violet would like to give a very special thanks to her Grandma Cheryl for always inspiring her to get on stage, no matter who or what she is.