On Nov. 14 and 15, the Walpole High School (WHS) Drama Club staged a production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” directed by WHS chorus teacher Kendra Nutting. “Little Shop of Horrors” was originally a film in 1960 and later became a musical in 1982; although, the most popular version was the movie adaptation of the musical in 1986. “Little Shop of Horrors” tells the story of a quirky florist assistant, Seymour Krelborn, living in a community known as Skid Row. Krelborn is affectionate towards a girl named Audrey Fulquard. Krelborn is given a mysterious plant, which he names Audrey II, after Fulquard. The plant promises him love and fame, in exchange for human flesh. Krelborn feeds people to the plant, including Fulquard’s toxic boyfriend: Orin Scrivello, bringing Fulquard and Krelborn together.
WHS seniors Arnold Obour-Mensah and Samantha Aucella were cast as the two main characters. Obour-Mensah played Krelborn with an endearing mix of nervous charm and earnest ambition, capturing both his awkward sweetness and moral struggle that drives the story.
“I really like how genuinely kind [Krelborn] is. The way he treats [Fulquard] is commendable and feels like more people should try to be as genuine as he is, without the whole murdering people thing,” Obour-Mensah said.
Meanwhile, Aucella brought a moving vulnerability to the stage, as her soft-spoken hopefulness and quiet strength made her moments stand out. Together, their characters’ chemistry felt genuine, making the audience root for their relationship, even as the chaos around them grew. Their performances strengthened the show emotionally and made the production memorable and affecting.
What stood out most was the amount of work Aucella and Obour-Mensah put in behind the scenes. Aucella approached her role with a serious manner and rehearsed to ensure every moment landed with purpose. She embraced the challenge rather than shying away from it, proving her versatility and courage as a performer.
“Audrey’s voice part and range is very different from my own, so it meant I had to go out of my comfort zone while preparing. This ultimately led to growth for me because it was such a challenge at the beginning,” Aucella said.
Obour-Mensah had a similar struggle, as he worked endlessly to adjust to Seymour’s voice type.
“I’m very proud of the whole process as I was able to increase my vocal range by a few notes,” Obour-Mensah said.
Aucella also valued the opportunity to play a role out of the ordinary for her. As she stepped into a role with traits and energy far from her own, she was able to escape from what she is familiar with and experiment with new behaviors.
“My favorite thing about [Fulquard] was her accent and being able to act in a way that I never would. Being able to play a character unlike yourself is so fun and helped me think out of the box with some of my acting choices,” Aucella said.
The trio of street urchins narrating the show were played by Ruby Abbot, Reese Thorton and Lola Maalouf. Throughout their performance, they brought electric energy and a sharp attitude to the production. From the very first number, they commanded the stage with confident harmonies, tight choreography and consistent vocals. They were more than just narrators; they added flair to every scene they touched, offering humor and a sense of looming tension as events on Skid Row spiraled out of control. This trio elevated the musical’s atmosphere with every appearance.
Scrivello, played by Jeffrey Todd, delivered a show-stealing performance that had the audience captivated from the moment he stepped onstage. Todd fully embraced the character’s outrageous bravado, dark humor and cruelty. His scenes were unforgettable and his comedic timing was sharp. Todd’s exaggerated gestures and sinister grin drew laughs without ever feeling forced. His vocal performance was bold and clear, while his physical acting showed a level of commitment that elevated the entire production. Todd’s performance lingered long after the curtain fell.
“While it was challenging to sustain the role of the character, I have so many fun memories from this show and I loved performing with my best friends on stage,” Todd said.
The WHS Drama’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” felt both polished and deeply entertaining. Krelborn and Fulquard grounded the story with heartfelt sincerity, the street urchin trio infused every scene with energy and style and Scrivello delivered a standout performance that electrified the audience. Together, these elements blended into a vibrant, memorable musical that showcased the students’ talent, dedication and teamwork. The production not only honored the original show, but also demonstrated the remarkable creativity and skill emerging from this young cast, leaving the audience thoroughly impressed.
