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‘Little Shop of Horrors’ warns ‘Be careful what you wish for’

Posted on Friday, April 10, 2026

Street Urchins cast group photo

How far would you go to achieve your dreams? In next week’s LC Musical Theatre production “Little Shop of Horrors,” meet Seymour Krelborn, a meek florist’s assistant, who gets a shot at fortune and fame—and at Audrey, the girl of his dreams—but will he sacrifice everything to get what he wants? That’s where Audrey II, a plant with a big personality and a ravenous appetite, enters his life.

“This is a cautionary tale told with tongue-in-cheek wit about the corrupting influence of power,” says D.J. Grooms ’13, guest director and choreographer of the production. “It reminds us to be wary of easy solutions and to consider the consequences of our choices: ‘Don't Feed the Plants.’”

The origins of “Little Shop of Horrors” began with the 1960 Roger Corman film that featured Jack Nicholson, according to Grooms.

“Alan Menken and Howard Ashman expanded on the film’s story, added a score and developed the characters further,” he says. “The 1986 live action movie adaptation that starred Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene was based on the version of the musical.”

LC’s cast includes seniors Aria Mabry and Jackie Morman as Audrey and Seymour, respectively. Taking the stage alongside his son Jackie will be alumnus Jack Morman Jr. ’89 M’95, who will perform the role of Mr. Mushnik. Additional guest performers include Musical Theatre alum Ethan McKie ’23 as Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. and Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience, making his Price Theater debut as Audrey II the mighty voice of the plant.

Mabry describes Audrey as the perfect damsel in distress.

“She has been used and abused by a number of men who don’t deserve her,” Mabry says. “She dreams of a life with Seymour, but she doesn’t find herself worthy enough to be with him.”

Lacking in confidence, Jackie says his character Seymour struggles to make his affection known to Audrey.

“Seymour is a down on his luck, orphaned, flower shop worker who just can’t seem to find his way in the world,” Morman says. “He’s a well-intentioned, awkward character who does everything he can to please everyone.”

He stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” (after his crush), and the fun begins. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune as long as Seymour keeps feeding it, and Audrey II’s menu is diabolical.

“Audrey II is a manipulative monster who only thinks about itself,” Dr. Head says. “It has been fun to not be ‘Dr. Head the VP’ and just be another cast member.”

The street urchins Chiffon (Sahara Williams ’29), Crystal (Lydia Kennedy ’29) and Ronette (Aundrea Leaks ’28), function as the Greek chorus offering advice and commenting on the action.

Chiffon is the most reserved urchin of the trio, Williams says.

“Ronette and Crystal are her closest friends and also her only family.”

Kennedy says, “Crystal has the most attitude and isn’t afraid to bring it.”

Mature for her age, Leaks’ Ronette “makes sure business is handled and she is always looking out for her neighbors and fellow urchins on skid row.”

Blending comedy, horror and romance, Grooms says the production is a timeless classic that appeals to a wide audience; however, it is not suggested for children under ten.

“The seductive nature of greed, the pursuit of fame and the dangers of conforming to societal pressures are themes that still resonate with audiences today,” he says. And Ashman and Menken do it with a dark sense of humor and a Motown-inspired rock score.

The show will run April 16-19. The performance time is 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Ticket reservations are made through Eventbrite. The cost is $10 paid at the door for adults and free for LC faculty, staff, and students. Guests are encouraged to ensure they select the appropriate ticket when given the option. Cash and checks are accepted.

 

Campus Notes

Student organization hosts gathering

  • Generations of current and past students came together for Black Student Union’s Alumni Night March 29. “Being in a room full of so much history and so many trailblazers at LaGrange College was amazing,” said senior Trenton Dillard, president of Black Male Institute. BSU President Zentrina Choice ’26 recalled being overcome with emotion during the evening. “I started to think about the impact that our alumni have had on my own journey despite being generations away.” The organization plans to make this an annual event.
  • LC will host the National History Day state contest on Saturday, April 18. Faculty, staff and alumni are encouraged to serve as contest judges. These volunteers will preview student work, interview students, and as a team select entries to advance to the national contest. It is required that judges be available until early afternoon. Those interested can sign up on the contest website.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

Moot Court Debate

Monday, April 13

6 p.m., Corn Auditorium

  • LaGrange College and Columbus State University students will debate on a similar array of issues brought before the U.S. Supreme Court this term.

Baptist Collegiate Ministry Event

Monday, April 13

6 p.m., Residential Quad

  • Baptist Collegiate Ministry will host a social gathering with outdoor games and food. There will also be a time of worship and Bible study.

A Costa Rican Adventure

Tuesday, April 14

11 a.m., Lewis Library

  • This event serves as preparation for the Maymester study away trip to Costa Rica. There will be presentations and possible guest speakers.

Business Program Capstone Project

Tuesday, April 14

11 a.m., Caswell Plaza

  • As part of their capstone project, ENTR 4100 students will try to sell their idea to existing LC students. No money is to change hands, but voting will help determine what group of students had the best idea. Groups will have sales pitches, promotional material, etc., to help draw interest in their product.

Courageous Conversations

Wednesday, April 15

7:30 p.m., Bailey Room, Smith Hall

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling Associate Professor Dr. Justin Muller will lead a discussion about generational cycles.

 

Sports

Softball

Softball competes against Wesleyan

The Panthers will be back on their own field for the first time in three weeks when they play host to Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia) on Saturday, April 11, at noon at the LC Softball Complex in a conference double-header. Leading the team is senior Claire Chamberlain, who has produced both at the plate and at the circle, posting a .344 batting average with 31 hits with ten walks while posting a 4.29 ERA. She reached the 100-career hit milestone this past week at Piedmont. Prior to the game, the Panthers will be recognizing their senior class as part of Senior Day. Chamberlain will be joined by Abby Hefner, Katelyn Minnihan and Jenna Yeary as they are recognized for all their outstanding achievements with the program over the years.

Women’s Beach Volleyball

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Photo Credit: Nico Klementzos

LC hosts its final regular season competition of the season on Saturday, April 11 against Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama) in a 1 p.m. doubleheader. Both the Panthers’ previous two matches against the Hawks have been nail-biters, going 3-2 in favor of the Hawks.

Flag Football

Team will compete against Milligan University

The Panthers will conclude their inaugural season on Saturday, April 11, when they host a tri-match against Milligan University (Elizabethton, Tennessee) at 1 p.m. and Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama) at 4 p.m. in Callaway Stadium.

Baseball

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Photo Credit: Carl Lewis

LC travels to Belhaven University (Jackson, Mississippi) this weekend for a three-game CCS series against the host Blazers. The Panthers have one of the best leadoff-pairs in the region with freshman Collin McGhee and senior Jackson McElvy. McGhee is hitting .347 with a team-high 42 hits and a pair of CCS Rookie of the Week awards while McElvy is hitting .349 with 21 walks and 22 stolen bases. Senior Curt Bonner has emerged as a dominant power hitter, hitting .346 with 38 RBI.

Men’s Lacrosse

Team will play Southern Virginia

The Panthers will head to Southern Virginia University (Buena Vista, Virginia) on Saturday, April 11, for a noon conference game. Senior Nicholas Murciano leads the Panthers with 27 goals and five assists.

Tennis

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LC will host Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama) on Sunday, April 12, at the Greer Tennis Courts.

Track & Field

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Photo Credit: Nico Klementzos

The Panthers traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida last weekend for the Embry-Riddle Classic. Freshman Khristian Bell crushed her own school record in the women's 200-meter dash with a time of 25.44, placing her 23rd of 84 and currently ranking her second in the CCS. Freshman Fabian Coleman placed 23rd of 99 in the men's 100-meter dash preliminaries with a time of 10.75, a personal best time and the second-best mark in school history in the outdoor season. Freshman Roman Brown clocked in at a personal best of 22.01 in the men's 200-meter dash to place 38th out of 110 participants. At press time, this ranks him fourth in the CCS. They are back on the track April 17-18 at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta.

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Freshman A’mya Hill was named CCS Track Rookie of the Week. She continued her impressive freshman campaign at the Embry-Riddle Running Elements meet, competing in both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. Hill placed 12th out of 83 competitors in the 100 with a time of 12.11, a mark that ranks second in the CCS and sets a new LaGrange program record. She also finished 27th out of 84 in the 200 (25.58), which ranks third in the conference this season.

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Freshman Ryheem Mighten was named CCS Track Rookie of the Week. He continued his standout freshman season at the Embry-Riddle Running Elements meet, placing ninth in a deep 200-meter dash field of 110 competitors. The freshman clocked a time of 21.39, setting a new LaGrange program record. His performance also ranks first in the CCS this season. This is the third time that Mighten has been recognized by the conference.

Men’s Golf

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LC competed at the RTJ Capital Classic April 6-7 in Prattville, Alabama. The tournament was highlighted by sophomore CJ Kilkelly's hole-in-one on hole two in the third round. Senior Eli Rogers led the charge for the Panthers after completing with scores of +2, +10 and +1 for a +13 finish overall. Kilkelly wasn't far behind, finishing at +14 after posting scores of +3, +7 and +4. The team returns to the links April 13-14 when they compete in the Sam Snead Invitational in Williamsburg, Virginia.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Friday, April 10 – Baseball at Belhaven University, 7 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Friday, April 11 – Beach Volleyball (Home) vs. Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama), 1 p.m., Strack Beach Volleyball Courts

Friday, April 11 – Lacrosse at Southern Virginia University, noon, Buena Vista, Virginia

Saturday, April 11 – Softball (Home) vs. Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia), noon and 2 p.m. LC Softball Complex

Saturday, April 11 – Flag Football (Home) vs. Milligan University (Elizabethton, Tennessee), 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Saturday, April 11 – Baseball at Belhaven University, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Saturday, April 11 – Flag Football (Home) vs. Huntingdon College, 4 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Sunday, April 12 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Huntingdon College, 2 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Sunday, April 12 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Huntingdon College, 2 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Monday, April 13 – Men’s Golf at Sam Snead Invitational, Williamsburg, Virginia

Tuesday, April 14 – Men’s Golf at Sam Snead Invitational, Williamsburg, Virginia

Tuesday, April 14 – Softball at Huntingdon College, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama

Wednesday, April 15 – Men’s Tennis at Belhaven University, 1 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Wednesday, April 15 – Women’s Tennis at Belhaven University, 1 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Thursday, April 16 – Beach Volleyball at AVCA Championships, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Category: Arts and Culture, Community, Events

Keywords: Theatre, Performing Arts

Last updated: 04/10/2026