‘Little Shop of Horrors’ opens on peninsula
Peninsula Players put on dark comedy musical this March
ILWACO, Wash. — A meteor
streaking across the New
York sky causes bedlam in
the upcoming musical by
the Peninsula Players open-
ing March 13 at the River
City Playhouse. The Play-
ers present the dark comedy
“Little Shop of Horrors” for
a three-weekend run. Friday
and Saturday performances
are scheduled for 7 p.m., and
matinees hit the stage at 2
p.m. Sundays. The show will
close March 29.
The story centers around
a florist assistant, Seymour,
in the Skid Row area of New
York City. Seymour, played
by Robert Scherrer, has an
interest in exotic plants — in
particular, one he found on
the streets of the city. Work-
ing with Seymour is the girl
he has a crush on, Audrey,
played by Rita Smith. To-
gether they convince the
owner of the shop, Mushnik,
to allow them to put one of
the exotic plants in the win-
dow to attract customers.
The plant does draw custom-
ers, and Mushnik, played by
Bill Clark, is pleased.
Moving the story along
are the Be Bop girls, who
function as participants in
the action, and a Greek Cho-
rus outside the action. They
are young, hip and smart and
the only ones in the cast who
know what is going on.
Causing major problems
Submitted photo by Clint Carter
Shy florist assistant Seymour, played by Robert Sherrer, holds the exotic plant Audrey II in
the Peninsula Player’s March production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
for Audrey is a dentist with
sadistic tendencies. Dressed
in a leather jacket, the ego-
tistical Orin looks like a
greaser but thinks like an in-
surance salesman and talks
like a radio announcer. He is
Find fantasy, flying ships
As a sculptor, VanDorin
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ships from his imagination.
Past glories come to life in
new futuristic ways. The
creates images of fantasy, beauty of wood is revealed in
blending futuristic possibil- Victorian airships and fanta-
ities with actuality. Much of sy sea creatures.
In addition to artist
this work could be labeled
as steampunk, which mixes demonstrations, Bay Avenue
modern ideas and technology offers art classes for children
with those from the Victorian ages 5-14, workshops and
Submitted photo
open studio gatherings for all
era.
An airship by William VanDorin.
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Bay Avenue Gallery is lo-
in a through-the-looking-glass
twist on what is and what could cated at 1406 Bay Ave. For 665-5200 or visit bayavenue-
more information, call 360- gallery.com
be,” VanDorin says.
Bay Avenue Gallery hosts artist demo
OCEAN PARK, Wash — Bay
Avenue Gallery will host an
afternoon with artist Wil-
liam VanDorin on Saturday,
March 14. VanDorin creates
surreal realities in his draw-
ings, ceramics and wood
sculptures. He will demon-
strate his processes from 1 to
4 p.m. to the public.
VanDorin’s art plays with
reality and imagination as he
someone you would not like
to meet in a dark alley. Orin
is played by John Adams.
Audrey II is the plant that
Seymour has nourished —
only to have lost all control
as the monster continues to
grow. A prick of the finger
brings out a desire in Audrey
II that no one, including the
shy Seymour, could predict.
The plant’s voice is played
by Mitch Reed and the pup-
peteer is Patrick Gore.
Accompaniment for the
science fiction musical is by
a specially formed combo
for the production. Bob Wal-
ters, a former music teach-
er from the Ocean Beach
School District, will be on
bass guitar. Barbara Bate,
a well known accompanist,
will be on the keyboard.
Both Bate and Walters are
members of the North Coast
Symphonic Band. On per-
cussion, will be Clint Carter,
who was the originator of
the North Coast Blues Band.
Directing the production is
Rita Smith. Smith has direct-
ed several musicals for the
Peninsula Players. Among
her credits are “Camelot,”
“Little Mary Sunshine” and “
The Fantasticks.”
The musical will be at
the River City Playhouse,
located at 127 S.E. Lake St.
A champagne reception is
planned for opening night
March 13 with the doors
opening at 6:15 p.m. Ad-
ditional performances are
scheduled for March 13, 14,
15, 20, 21, 22 and 27, 28 and
29.
Purchase tickets from
Okies’ Thriftway in Ocean
Park, Stormin’ Norman’s
in Long Beach or The Olde
Town Café in Ilwaco. You
may also call for “will hold”
tickets at 360-244-5700.
Sign up for memoir workshop
Author Matt Love to teach about writing
ASTORIA — Have you always
wanted to write the story of
your life or your family’s life
for possible publication or to
privately document your fam-
ily’s unique history? Many
people aspire to write such a
memoir but struggle with how
to begin. This frustration often
results in the story going un-
told.
Don’t let that happen to
your story.
Writer and publisher Matt
Love, the author of six mem-
oirs, is offering a one-day Be-
ginning Your Memoir writing
workshop on May 9 in Astoria.
In this workshop, participants
will experiment with different
and innovative techniques for
beginning a memoir and dis-
cover how the right opening
can help unwrap the story and
determine its heart. Love will
also present options for writers
to publish their work.
The workshop will be held
1 4
Submitted photo
Author Matt Love will teach a memoir
writing workshop in early May in Astoria.
in the Fort George Brewery
Showroom from 9:30 a.m. to
4 p.m. Saturday, May 9. The
class costs $125 and will cap
at 12 participants. To sign up,
email Matt Love at nestuc-
caspitpress@gmail.com
1 6 1 8 Exchan g e St., A sto ria
6:30
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March 12, 2015 | coastweekend.com | 21