“Not only is this a dinner theatre show,” says Oden, “But it will be a final product workshop performance for kids working on focusing and honing the craft of theatre.”  Oden and Raquel Jackmond will be performing along-side the students.

“This opportunity allows the students a chance to see how professional actors perform and behave on and off stage, during rehearsals and shows,” says Oden.  ”I have been lucky to get the talent I have currently, but our department doesn’t have in-class training and no after-school education, so by working with us, the actors will get hands-on, practical instruction they can use for future shows at the high school and elsewhere.”

Oden and Jackmond both have professional credits in Los Angeles, as well various educational and community theatre experiences and productions.

‘Moon over Buffalo’ will perform this January 20 & 21 in the MHS Commons.  Tickets will include the price of dinner and will be announced shortly.  For more information, please contact Rod Oden at roden@manistee.org.

The "Hungry" Cast of Little Shop of Horrors: TOP: Michael Bond, Callahan DeCillis, Lee Gramza, Abbie Finner, Lexie Marie Ronning, Ashley Lindeman; BOTTOM: Victoria Frechette, Natalie Fisk, LeAnna Engwall, Bonnie Greene, and Savannah Hiipakka

This fall, the Manistee High Drama program has picked a ‘horribly’ funny production that promises to leave audiences frightfully overjoyed by the performance.  ”Little Shop of Horrors,” book and music by Howard Ashman and the music by disney icon Alan Menken, has entertained audiences for decades.  Directing this production is high school drama director Rod Oden and joining him is vocal director Raquel Jackmond and choreographer Shannon Simoneau.

‘Little Shop’ is the story of a down-and out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!  ’Little Shop’ is one of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time.  This affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who redefined the animated musical film with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty And The Beast” and “Aladdin.”

Check out the  talented and “fresh, new” cast for the Manistee High School Drama’s fall musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”  Director Rod Oden is very excited to be working with these very talented indivuals and promises a show unlike any other.  Rod also mentioned the wonderful vocal talents of Lee Gramza  who will be Guest Artisting as the Voice of the menacing and fun Audrey II.

Natalie Fisk                                    CHIFFON
LeAnna Engwall                           CRYSTAL
Asha Jones                                     RONNETTE (Not pictured above)
Savannah Hiipakka                     MUSHNIK
Abbie Finner                                 AUDREY
Callahan DeCillis                          SEYMOUR
Michael Bond                               ORIN, BERNSTEIN, LUCE, SNIP, CHINESE MAN, MARTIN

The People of Skidrow
Victoria Frechette, Bonnie Greene, Ashley Lindeman, Amanda Damgaard Nielsen(Not pictured above), and Lexie Marie Ronning

Featuring the Vocal Talents of:
Lee Gramza as Audrey II
Jim Bond as The Announcer

“Little Shop of Horrors” runs October 20, 21, and 22 at 7:30pm and October 22 and 23 at 2:00pm in the MHS Auditorium.  Tickets are $7.00 for students/seniors and $10.00 for adults.  You can purchase tickets online at www.manisteehighdrama.com, or you can call and reserve tickets at 231-398-3687.  Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you there!

Little Shop is the story of a down-and out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!  One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who redefined the animated musical film with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty And The Beast” and “Aladdin.” Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, “Little Shop Of Horrors” never fails to entertain.

More information on the show can be found on the Wikipedia Site or the IMDB Film Site.

Check out more by visiting the Summer Theater Program Link at the top of the page or by clicking here!

Several times throughout the evening, there were comments on the beauty of the set, the speediness and “coolness” of the house maids and the gorgeous lighting!

I wish to add a personal thank you to the parents of the cast, Karen Roberts, Glenda Finner, Cathy Meagher, and Christine Engwall for their essential assistance with the selling of tickets and concessions!  Could not have been the success it was without you!

Bravo!

Check out some of these photos recently taken at a rehearsal not too long ago:

Also, get a sneak peak of things to come here:

We had some awesome auditions over the past three days at MHS for the upcoming production of “The Importance of Being Earnest.”  Thank you to everyone, including Mr. Gramza’s Drama Class, for auditioning for the production.  Here is the cast of players for the spring comedy:

CAST LIST

“The Importance of Being Earnest”

This spring, the Manistee High School Drama Department will be producing the ‘wilde’-ly funny classic The Importance of Being Earnest, written by Oscar Wilde.

In Wilde’s classical play about triviality, society and class norms, Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing find themselves in pursuit of two beautiful women, desperate for their approval ( and Lady Bracknell’s).   Imaginary identities, mixed conversations and awkward situations find the two boys entangled in all kinds of ridiculous complications in this satire of class, manners, and romance.

This year’s production will be directed by Manistee local director Rod Oden (currently directing The Secret Garden at the Ramsdell).  Performances will be held April 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30PM in the Auditorium.