"Little Shop of Horrors": The College of Arts’ First-Ever Musical a Huge Success | College of Arts

"Little Shop of Horrors": The College of Arts’ First-Ever Musical a Huge Success

Posted on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025

Dr. Kimberly Francis, professor and director, School of Fine Art and Music, College of Arts, University of Guelph, stands on stage at War Memorial Hall, holding a bouquet. Beside her is the "Little Shop of Horrors" student ensemble standing around Audrey II, the symbolic carnivorous plant from the production.
Dr. Kimberly Francis, School of Fine Art and Music, College of Arts, stands on stage at War Memorial Hall, holding a bouquet. Beside her is the "Little Shop of Horrors" student ensemble standing around Audrey II, the symbolic plant from the production.

How far would you go for success? Seymour, a shy plant owner, finds himself keeping a big, dark secret with his prized plant that only grows from feeding on human blood. 

From February 28 through March 2, 2025, the School of Fine Art and Music (SOFAM) and the School of Theatre, English, and Creative Writing (SOTEC) in the College of Arts (COA) at the University of Guelph presented the College's first musical theatre performance of Little Shop of Horrors at War Memorial Hall to over 1,200 attendees. 

The shows were extremely well-attended, welcoming patrons from across campus, the city of Guelph and the Greater Toronto Area.  

The production was a success thanks to the tireless efforts of:

  • Marion Samuel-Stevens, vocal and show director and vocal instructor, SOFAM 
  • Dr. Kimberly Francis, producer, music director (band) and director of SOFAM 
  • The production team, including Bonnie Thomson, production manager and production coordinator, SOTEC; Simon Flint, costume and scenic design and costume coordinator for the Theatre Studies program, SOTEC; Ryan Ahlers, sound design and scenic construction, SOTEC; Sarah Szymanski, lighting design and recent SOTEC graduate; Ben Finnell, assistant music director (band); Jamie Moro, choreographer; Alexandra Fowler, stage manager; Emma Robinson; Becky Rodmell, puppeteer; Exodus Smith; Jessie Rudin; Karleigh Martin; Rachel Mackenzie; Erin Carruthers; Alex Bradshaw; Eric Harper; Maya Reynolds; Elizaveta Kornberg; Sebin Lim; Lauren Gravelle and Oscar Stonehouse 
  • Over 80 SOFAM and SOTEC student actors, band and ensemble members, costume and set designers and back-of house ushers 

University of Guelph student ensemble members sitting in two rows rehearsing for the Little Shop of Horrors production.
University of Guelph student ensemble members sitting in two rows rehearsing for the Little Shop of Horrors production.

  • Members of the THST*3000: Experiential Learning Project and THST*3010: Independent Experiential Learning classes who built costumes from scratch and measured, drafted and created custom pieces for the performers: Abby St-Louis, Alexandra Mussar, Amanda Worters, Bella Faria, Catherine Leis, Ella Luepann, Grace Tinning, Grant Byce, Hannah Abush, Karlene Graham, Katie Bryant, Matt Curran, Mea Pereira, Mia van Leeuwen, Nate Wood Fawcett, Nicole Sawrantschruk, Noah Edwards, Rachel Isidori, Riley Stewart and Gemma Swart Kraehling 
  • Band members: Ben Finnell (drums); Joshua Bowden and Maximillian De Groot (first keys); Adelaide Lamb (second keys); Erica Gilmore and Andy Tran (keys, incidental music); Allie Wai Lam Wong, Emma Taylor and Olivia Fairclough (flute); Tulip Eng (mallet percussion); Jett Faria (aux percussion); Lillian Greenwood (tenor sax); Ava Laffin and Juliana Mete (clarinet); Henry Arbuckle (bass clarinet); Eveanna Pennant (alto sax); Brandon Phung and Taylor MacLean (guitar); Miles Rawlin (bass); Julie Taylor (bari sax) and Mia Toope-Robins (trumpet) 
  • Noah Ryan and Victoria Salajka, Ontario Agricultural College Horticulture students who grew the plants used in the show 

The performance was also supported by North America Construction (1993) Ltd. | NAC Constructors Ltd., through a generous sponsorship.  

U of G students in lead roles were as follows: 

  • Seymour, played by Liam Wesley (Major: Music) and Ethan Emes (Major: Music) 
  • Audrey, played by Alyssa Boyle (Major: Music) and Nicole Sawrantschuk (Major: English; Minor: Theatre/Studio Art); Understudy: Rylee Baird 
  • Mushnik, played by Luke Burazin (BCOM, Minor: Music) and Jack French (BAS, Biology and Theatre Studies) 
  • Orin, played by Aoibhinn MacKen-Luyt and Katie Bryant  
  • Audrey II, played by Chantal Begley (Major: Music) and Yubo Wang (Major: Music) 
  • Crystal, played by Taylor Pyke (BAS; MBG, Political Science) and Crystal Strachan (Major: Music) 
  • Chiffon, played by Meera Sontam (Major: BSCH, Biomed; Minor: Music) and Claire Kim (Major: Music) 
  • Ronnette, played by Rashanda (Shai) Gordon (Major: Psychology) and Alexia Castiglione (Major: Studio Art, Minor: Music) 
  • Audrey II puppeteer, Becky Rodmell 

University of Guelph student ensemble members rehearsing for the Little Shop of Horrors production. Front row, left to right: Luka Burazin, Bachelor of Commerce student; Liam Wesley, Music major and Alyssa Boyle, Music major. Behind them, the rest of the student ensemble fills the stage.
University of Guelph student ensemble members rehearsing for the Little Shop of Horrors production. Front row, left to right: Luke Burazin, Bachelor of Commerce student; Liam Wesley, Music major and Alyssa Boyle, Music major. Behind them, the rest of the student ensemble fills the stage.

The ensemble included the following U of G students:

  • Wino #1, played by Yubo Wang and Chantal Begley 
  • Wino #2, played by Georgia Rutter 
  • Housewives, played by Jade Marmash, Rachel Isidori and Alexandra (Ally) Mahony 
  • Widow, played by Jade Marmash 
  • Businessmen, played by Diana Valliant, Benjamin (Ben) McKenzie-Sutter and Matt Curran
  • Newsboy, played by Mea Pereira 
  • Vagrants, played by Hayley Howson, Amie Von Zuben, Ariana Bianchi and Georgia Rutter
  • Hawker, played by Amie Von Zuben 
  • Party Girls, played by Nicole Kerfont, Anabella Lillie, Danielle Doucette, Marissa Pavlovski, Charly Graham and Avril Batle 
  • Customer, played by Diana Valliant 
  • Interviewer, played by Ben Mckenzie-Stutter 
  • WSKID Radio Singers, played by Nicole Kerfont, Marissa Pavlovski and Ariana Bianchi 
  • Mr. Bernstein, played by Marissa Pavlovski 
  • Mrs. Luce, played by Alexandra Mahony 
  • Skip Snip, played by Charly Graham 
  • Mr. Martin, played by Amie Von Zuben 

"It was a massive team effort, and the students should be so proud of what they've accomplished," Francis reflected. Francis also applauded the work of the lighting, sound and stage crews, commenting that it "elevated the show beyond our wildest expectations." 

Behind the Scenes

University of Guelph student ensemble performs on stage in a production of Little Shop of Horrors at War Memorial Hall at U of G.
University of Guelph student ensemble performs on stage in a production of Little Shop of Horrors at War Memorial Hall at U of G.

The preparation for the production was extensive. The week before the show opened, SOTEC and SOFAM welcomed over 120 high school students to attend an open rehearsal and participate in conversations to familiarize themselves with the production process. 

Many U of G community members, faculty, staff and partners collaborated on the production to ensure its high quality and success including:

"It was an incredible opportunity to bring people together and celebrate hard work and the creative process," Francis remarked. The imaginative energy even bled into the creation of Little Shop of Horrors merchandise including t-shirts and cookies that were highly popular among cast, crew and fans alike.

A Captivated Audience

Three University of Guelph student actors perform on stage in a production of Little Shop of Horrors at War Memorial Hall at U of G. Left to right: Alyssa Boyle, Music major, playing Audrey; Luka Burazin, Bachelor of Commerce student, playing Mushnik and Liam Wesley, Music major, playing Seymour.
Three University of Guelph student actors perform on stage in a production of Little Shop of Horrors at War Memorial Hall at U of G. Left to right: Alyssa Boyle, Music major, playing Audrey; Luka Burazin, Bachelor of Commerce student, playing Mushnik and Liam Wesley, Music major, playing Seymour.

Audience members delighted in the performances with no hesitation about getting involved in the excitement and showing their appreciation. 

"Opening night, during applause, the audience joined the cast in spontaneously singing the musical's signature number, 'Little Shop of Horrors.' The matinee welcomed a child who had dressed up as Audrey II and another who brought his own Audrey II hand puppet. Folks praised the live band and each show ended with a thunderous standing ovation," recalled Francis. 

SOTEC, SOFAM and the College as a whole thank everyone who supported the show and helped it thrive. The College also extends a special thank you to Sara and Bill Laidlaw (Bill is a College of Arts Alumnus, BA '74) for their generous donation that has supported the launch of musical theatre productions at U of G.