- by Anne FInlay-Stewart, Editor

Director Jody Ward can't help but smile as she helps St. Mary's High School students run smoothly through the scenes of the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors. Opening May 25 at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound for a three-show run, the show is clearly as big a hit with its cast and crew as it will be with its audiences.

I met with students from Grades 10, 11 and 12 who play residents of Skid Row – the home of Mushnik's Skid Row Florists. They tell me that the shop is failing – until a total eclipse of the sun brings a "highly unusual plant" to shop assistant Seymour Krelborn. You'll have to buy a ticket for the rest of the story. They are clearly having a blast, and say the whole cast and crew have become very close since they began work on the production late last year.

As always with St. Mary's productions, the show is a great collaboration of St. Mary's staff and students.

David Reitzel, the music director, delivers the rock, do-wop, early Motown score written by Oscar / Tony / Emmy award-winning Alan Menken with a solid group of musicians. Gerard Willmes, retired St. Mary's music teacher, has even returned to play in the pit band with his son.

We're not going to offer any spoilers, including pictures, but for those of you who know the story you'll be excited to know that the school's robotics team has been working on bringing the growing Audrey Twos to life.

You may not want to go to the dentist (or a florist, for that matter) for a few days after seeing Little Shop of Horrors, but I have no doubt you'll find yourself grinning and humming some of the catchiest tunes in musical theatre.

There shouldn't be an empty seat in the house for this one. Tickets available at the Roxy box office or website.