Wakefield theater’s annual holiday performance arrived with a new twist this season. Their production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is a musical centered around the interaction between a man by the name of Seymour and a girl he falls in love with named Audrey, who is in an abusive relationship with another man. Trapped and isolated from the rest of the world, Audrey allows us to take an in-depth look at society’s views on relationships and the toll unhealthy relationships can take on individuals.

“This production is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Orsett said. “I felt like this was a good group of students to do this production with.”

Unlike other musicals produced in years past, this musical caters to a much older audience and incorporates a unique style to deliver the story of the lovers Seymour and Audrey. Senior

Elisabeth Dennis who played a Ronnett, who will be performing agrees the performance is specific to a different type of audience.

“The musical is rated PG-13 due to its use of curse words and because it talks about sadistic matters,” Dennis said. “It also has this rating being a lot of the material is very sexual and wouldn’t necessarily be appropriate for small children.”

With this play being for mature audience members, there is also a greater chance to address more controversial topics. Senior Allison Hancock played one of the leading roles as Audrey and made her first major role debut.

“My character Audrey is in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend in which oftentimes he puts his hands on her and forces her to do things she doesn’t want to do,” Hancock said. “ She’s a very oblivious character that doesn’t quite understand what is going on or how to deal with the abuse that has been going on.”

Trapped and unsure of how to free herself of this situation, Audrey finds comfort in her co-worker Seymour played by Junior Nate Richardson said.

“Seymour is kind of a scrawny, timid guy that messes up a lot and is clumsy,” Richardson said.  “He falls madly in love with his co-worker Audrey but has no idea how to go about showing her.  He ends up really messing up big time in the end.”

To help narrate the performance, the musical utilizes Ronettes that add humor and dramatic element to the storyline.  They act as storytellers throughout the performance. Senior Cammie Ransome plays one of the three Ronettes in the musical.

“The Ronettes play a big part in helping the show transition and provide a constant throughout the performance for the audience,” Ransome said. “ We contribute an element of girl power and add to the sexual ambiance of the musical.”

“Little Shop of Horrors” is filled with a very diverse group of characters that all have unique roles and characteristics.  There are many unusual plot twists.

“What is cool about this play is we have puppets,” said Dennis. “

The puppets are extremely intricate and are used to displace one of the main characters which is a plant in the musical.”

One of the main evils of the play features a plant.  The plant needs to be fed, but as it is fed it grows larger and larger.

“As the musical progresses the plant becomes more overwhelming and it becomes up to Seymour to step up,”  Richardson said. “There are a lot of interesting plot twists.”

A great deal of time and effort has gone into the makings of this production.  Endless hours have been put in after school and on weekends.

“I don’t feel like people realize exactly how much time and energy goes into making these kinds of productions,” Ransome said.“We sing, we dance, we act, we have to memorize, there are just a lot of components and details that go into what we do.”

All of the hard work that has gone into the creation of “Little Shop of Horror” is not to go unnoticed by the students and faculty at Wakefield. Those that come and support the play were not disappointed.

“For all those thinking of doing theater I say jump in,” said Orsett. “There’s something for everyone in theater whether you like to sing, or like to do tech, everyone has something different they are able to contribute.”