“Little Shop of Horrors” has stage violence and language, so parents should research the show before bringing children to attend. Masks will be required by audience members and seating capacity is at 75% due to COVID-19 guidelines. There are no reservations needed to attend.

According to information provided by the school, the dark comedy follows the unfortunate story of Seymour (Fergus DeVries), an orphan living on Skid Row and working in a flower shop run by Mushnik (Camden Gifford). Tragic heroine Audrey (Madalyn Meagher) has caught Seymour’s eye despite her dating the masochistic dentist Orin (Sam Super), so the mysterious new plant with a meaty diet he has discovered he names Audrey II (Evan Putt). A group of street urchins (Elise Sinner, Rhone Nelson, Melaina Haagenson, Annabelle Barcomb, Mariah Halton, Kristin Sundbakken) serve as both narrators and people of the street while singing such famous songs as “Downtown,” “Dentist” and “Suddenly, Seymour.”

In 1986, the famous version of “Little Shop of Horrors” was released in theaters. Its origins are more complicated than that with an earlier version of the movie in 1960 and a stage version in 1982. Since that time, the duo of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken became famous for such musicals as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid.”

Every fall, Minot High School puts on a musical for the community to see. Due to COVID-19, however, the fall musical was canceled and a safer alternative was performed. Director Chad Gifford said, “After such an unusual year, we decided it made more sense for us to perform a musical at home this spring than to take a play to the state competition away from our friends and family members.”

Submitted Photo Madalyn Meagher as Audrey and Fergus DeVries as Seymour in ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ which will be put on by the MHS Playmakers today through Saturday.

Gifford said that this year has been full of new challenges, but also new opportunities. “Working on a musical and having actors sing and dance with masks on has not been easy, but students rose to the challenge with designing special lighting, making dresses and custom making unusual items like a rusty drill.”

Assistant Director Krista Lien oversaw much of the offstage work while choreographer Breanna Benjamin brought her unique style of dance to the stage once again. Music Director Lindsay Kerzmann brought together the orchestra to showcase the singing talent of these young performers.

Submitted Photo Rhone Nelson, Melaina Haagenson, Sam Super, and Elise Sinner in ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’