A frightful carnivorous plant sits ominously on stage. Emotions are high in the dialogue and action. But the determined cast and crew are thrilled to put on a show that will make audiences think, feel, and laugh.

The coronavirus pandemic had previously halted the performing arts at Valley Regional High School (VRHS), but after a triumphant return to the stage with the production of The Little Mermaid last year, Valley Regional Musical Productions (VRMP) is preparing for a different and thematically darker show with The Little Shop of Horrors. But that was the kind of production VRMP members wanted to stage.

“It has definitely darker themes, but it was nice, too, because the high schoolers have always wanted to do something that has a little bit more of something that’s in more of their age,” said director Ingrid Walsh.

Many shifts in production style and performance will mark this year’s musical compared to last year’s. A reversal from the colorfully rich aquatic set of The Little Mermaid is made for a less elaborate and intentionally “dreary” and “ugly” look, according to production manager Allison McAloon, in order to establish an atmosphere for the darker themes of the show.

The 44-member cast and crew make up a significantly smaller group compared to the previous year’s production, which had a combined ensemble of students from VRHS and John Winthrop Middle School. That presents numerous challenges for everyone from set designers to performers, as a smaller group allows for an opportunity to learn about the production process while delving into the show's heavy themes.

“We were learning how theater affects us based on the basics of theater, and this year it’s more intimate and mature,” said Lily Farrell, who plays Audrey. “We get to explore and learn about theater, but with the deeper topics of sexual harassment, abuse, greed, and stuff like that. We get to learn about theater in themes rather than just fundamentals.”

Their inclusion in the show presents a challenge for the actors. As Little Shop of Horrors is a horror comedy, Farrell and Alijah Gopalakrishnan, who portrays Seymour Krelborn, said there needs to be a balance between the dark tones of the show and its comedic elements. It comes down to “finding a balance, so it’s not so heavy, so that the audience gets depressed, but also making sure that we do address these themes because they are very important and prevalent in our everyday life,” Gopalakrishnan said.

Fortunately for the cast, there is a sense of closeness and camaraderie that helps them power through the gravity of the show's themes and become stronger as people and performers. Gopalakrishnan said that the shared sense of closeness was fostered by sensitive discussions on the themes before rehearsals began.

“We made sure that we had multiple conversations, making sure everyone is OK with what is being portrayed…and is comfortable with everyone we are doing,” he said.

Cognizant of those themes and their everyday presence, Farrell said a domestic abuse hotline will be shared before performances for anyone who needs help.

Challenges in acting out the themes are also found in one of the show’s central components of puppetry, specifically with the mostly non-human lead of the carnivorous plant, Audrey ll, that grows in four stages during the show. But there still is a human element in the portrayal of the plant, as explained by marionettist Lily Belcher.

“I have to figure out a way to portray the greed and needs of this plant without speaking,” she said. “Even the slightest tilt of the head makes all the difference. The first puppet that comes out, you have to be really still, or else it will move, and that will give away to the audience that it’s something alive.”

Music also plays an important role in bringing to life the horror aspects of the show, again in contrast to The Little Mermaid.

“This show only has all the light-hearted songs on the tracklist, but when you come and see the show, there’s so much incidental music, or background music, that is unknown,” said pit band member Elliot Stack. The pianist said therein lies yet another challenge, with the goal of having to time the music with on-stage action, particularly with songs audiences may not be familiar with if they have seen any of the stage or silver-screen adaptations of the story.

“It’s good to have the element of surprise,” said Stack. “It’s really fun to experiment with it. Having that control and being [able ]to predetermine what that’s going to be… it’s definitely a learning curve compared to the Little Mermaid, where you kind of just play the song.”

Through the heavy themes and the various challenges, the cast and crew agree that the production could not be possible without the support of their director.

“Ingrid makes us all feel engaged…she always makes sure that there’s something we can do,” said Aiden Stone, who plays dentist Orin Scrivello.

Abby Jones, one of the other puppeteers in the show, concurred with Stone.

“I don’t think you would ever meet a director as dedicated as Ingrid. She cares for every single one of us,” she said. “She does not make anyone feel left out.”

And what does the cast and crew hope audiences get from the show?

Devon Gopalakrishnan, who plays flower shop owner Mr. Mushnik, has his answer.

“I want them to see through our show how many hours we put into this…all of the work that we did,” said Devon Gopalakrishnan. “I want them to realize that after seeing us put on such an amazing show.”

Little Shop of Horrors is at Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River, from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 12. Tickets are $15 and on sale at VRHS and Celebrations in Deep River.