Valley Park High School’s theatre department took center stage this past weekend with its fall musical, Little Shop of Horrors, under the direction of Allison Hungate Wood (music and stage director) and Jaclyn Vogel (technical director). The student cast and crew delivered three outstanding performances that drew a combined crowd of more than 550 attendees, filling the Elementary Gymnasium with laughter, applause and a little bit of sci-fi spookiness.
The cult classic tells the story of Seymour, a shy flower shop employee who discovers a strange and demanding plant that thrives on something a little unusual. The show featured Peter Grittini '26 as Seymour, Jermisha Lewis '26 as Audrey, George Doerr '26 as Mr. Mushnik, James Dougherty ’28 as the Dentist, and Kennedy King '26 as the voice of Audrey II.
Under the direction of Ms. Hungate Wood and Mrs. Vogel, students worked for weeks to perfect their performances, design intricate sets and bring the unique world of Skid Row to life. From the lively musical numbers to the show-stopping finale, audiences were treated to a production that showcased not only talent but also true collaboration and imagination.
“It was such a joy to create this show with these incredibly talented and dedicated students! I am so thankful for the support from the Valley Park community and the district,” said Hungate Wood. “When we all pull together as one community, we can truly do amazing things. I cannot wait to produce our next musical in our brand new Performing Arts Center next fall!”
Jaclyn Vogel, technical director, shared a similar sense of pride, “This experience was truly unforgettable! Allison Hungate Wood, along with the incredible cast and crew, amazed me every single day with their hard work and dedication—and it absolutely showed! I’m beyond proud of everyone involved and so thankful to everyone who came out to support this amazing theatre program.”
Lesley Louder, Valley Park’s secondary librarian who volunteered and attended the musical, also shared her admiration for the students’ hard work. “What was astounding to me was the time and dedication the cast, crew, and directors put into this production in addition to everything else they do! It was such a wonderful show because of all of their efforts, and I cannot wait to see what they do next.”
The production also featured a live sound crew and a live band who brought the show’s soundtrack to life. With strong attendance, rave reviews and a cast and crew that clearly had a blast, Little Shop of Horrors will go down as one of Valley Park’s most successful productions to date.
Check out the photos of the show here: