September 28, 2025 — Clovis West High School’s drama department debuted its production of Little Shop of Horrors on Thursday, September 25, at the Mercedes Edwards Theatre. The opening night drew a solid audience that rewarded the performance with a standing ovation. Their version paid tribute to the 1986 cult classic film that starred Rick Moranis.
The musical generated cheers, laughter, and plenty of surprises for its accuracy to the source material, engaging musical numbers, and strong performances. The run continues September 25–27 and October 2–4 at 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on September 27 and October 4.
Clovis West’s production drew inspiration from the 1986 film, which itself was an adaptation of the 1982 off-Broadway musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman. That musical had been based on the 1960 film The Little Shop of Horrors by director Roger Corman.
The story follows Seymour Krelborn, a floral shop assistant who discovers a new breed of plant that he names “Audrey II” after his coworker crush. Seymour is promised fame and fortune as long as he continues feeding Audrey II blood. Eventually, he realizes that the carnivorous plant is far more dangerous than it seems.
Drama teacher and director Sandra Hahn shared the amount of preparation it took to bring the production to the stage. “We’ve been working really hard on this since August 7 and 8. It takes about eight weeks for a musical and to get here tonight. It was amazing. The kids finally get to show what they’ve been working on for so long. This was a bucket list show for me. To see where we started to where we are now is just amazing.”
Much of the magic came from the attention to detail. From the set design to the costumes that recreated 1960s New York to the chemistry among the actors, everything came together.
The cast delivered standout performances. Sophomore Rex McTeer embodied the role of Seymour with his mix of awkwardness, timidity, and eventual darker turn, showing skill far beyond his years. Senior Lexi Gonzalez brought both sympathy and heart to Audrey, Seymour’s love interest, delivering impressive vocals that captured the character’s pain and passion. Junior Arturo Nevarez shined as Mr. Mushnik, the shop owner, while senior Jackson Bowman delivered a memorable turn as Orin Scrivello, the dentist and Audrey’s abusive boyfriend. His sinister laugh consistently got laughs from the audience, making him a comedic highlight. Bowman also displayed versatility, taking on multiple roles as Mr. Bernstein, Mrs. Luce, and Skip Snip.
The supporting cast added plenty of energy. Freshman Lauren Ferris (Chiffon), sophomore Kayley Cross (Crystal), and senior Kiara Packard (Ronnette) stood out as the R&B-style Greek chorus girls who introduced each scene with entertaining choreography and songs.
Credit also goes to the behind-the-scenes team. This was a student-run production, with puppeteers bringing Audrey II to life. Sophomore Robert Burton, who voiced the plant, gave it both character and personality. Senior Aryana Polac, the stage manager, played a crucial role in coordinating costume changes, timing, and technical cues. It was her first time as a stage manager, but she handled the responsibility like a professional.
McTeer, Gonzalez, and Nevarez told the Clovis Roundup that they studied the original material to shape their performances but also added their own flair. Each expressed interest in pursuing acting beyond high school.
The cult following for Little Shop of Horrors—in both its film and musical versions—continues to grow, and Clovis West’s rendition added to the story’s enduring appeal. For decades, the Mercedes Edwards Theatre, standing since 1942, has showcased the talents of Clovis’s young performers. Director Hahn said what makes her department unique is the bond among her students. “We get very close and that’s what I think makes our department very strong, we trust and believe in each other.”