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Broadway director comes to Menlo School to direct "Little Shop of Horrors"

Atherton, Calif. – Broadway director and choreographer Steven Minning brings more than 30 years of professional experience to direct the high school musical production of “Little Shop of Horrors” at Menlo School.

Minning was resident director for such famed productions as “Billy Elliot,” “The Lion King,” and “Showboat” and director/choreographer for such classics as “My Fair Lady,” “The Will Rogers Follies,” “South Pacific,” and “Annie” before moving to Portola Valley to become the new drama director at Menlo School. Minning also directed numerous corporate and special events, including the 1994 World Cup opening ceremonies in New York and Boston and the 1994 Coca-Cola Olympic reception in Atlanta.

For his first production at Menlo School, Minning felt “Little House of Horrors” was an “appropriate” introduction, noting that the school’s “talent pool is very strong.”

“Little Shop of Horrors” is “a very well-constructed show that’s become a classic in musical theatre history,” Minning says. “Timelessness translates beautifully in a wide range of scenarios.”

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“Little Shop of Horrors” is the story of Seymour Krelborn, a nerdy employee at Mushnik’s Skid Row Florist Shop, his coworker and love interest Audrey, and a mysterious plant that attracts business to the shop.

Junior student John Horsley says he enjoys playing “Seymour” “with all his flaws and strengths,” adding that the musical is driven “by the character’s motive.”

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Senior Tara Saha, who plays “Audrey,” says, “The characters are serious about and live completely in their own little B movie…. It’s taken a lot of work to build the different layers of (Audrey’s) character and make it … something the audience can sympathize with.”

Horsley and Saha come from the highly successful run of “Spamalot” at Menlo School last spring.

Senior Sean Morgenthaler, who plays “Mr. Mushnik,” is “having fun transforming myself into Mr. Mushnik.” Morgenthaler, a first-time musical performer, credits the new director for his “great learning experience.”

Senior Jordan Vasquez, who plays multiple roles including “Orin,” the dentist, admits it is challenging to play many characters, adding that he needs to “make sure they don’t overlap with each other.”

The cast members share an enthusiasm and excitement over the new production. Freshman Maya Donato sees it as “a great chance to bond with upperclassmen.” Morgenthaler notes the cast’s “cohesion” while Vasquez thinks this is “one of the best casts I’ve worked with.” Horsley adds, “Everyone is working very hard.”

Tickets are $5 for students and $8 general, available online at http://store.menloschool.org/Little-Shop-of-Horrors-n13-DRA-01a/ and at the door. Buy early and pick up at Will Call. Tickets sell out fast!

WHAT: Menlo School’s Little Shop of Horrors

WHEN: Nov. 1-3, 2013

 Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.

 Nov. 2, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

 Nov. 3, 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Florence Moore Theater, Menlo School, 50 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton, CA 94027

For more information, visit https://www.menloschool.org/academics/menlo-drama.php.

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