PART TWO: Lincoln High School’s Production of Little Shop of Horrors Cast Q&A

A talented cast and crew of students from grades 7–12 have been hard at work bringing this exciting production to life. Under the direction of Alexis Reisinger, students have dedicated countless hours to rehearsals, choreography, and technical preparation to create a production that blends humor, heart, and a touch of dark comedy.

We caught up with some of the leads in the show for a cast Q&A. Today’s Q&A is PART TWO in a three-part series about Little Shop of Horrors. Featured tomorrow will be a review of the show and gallery of show photos.

Anna Elder

Part in the Musical: I play Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors.

Current Grade: I am in 8th grade.

Been in musicals/plays since: I have always loved to watch musicals, but last year was my first time ever being in one. Otherwise, I’ve been in the Boar’s Head Festival at Christ Presbyterian Church since the age of four.

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Last year was my first Ellwood City musical. I was cast as Jojo, one of the lead roles in Seussical.

Favorite Song in this musical: My favorite song in Little Shop of Horrors by far has to be “Suddenly Seymour”. At the end of this song, Seymour and Audrey kiss—a pretty wholesome moment—while I watch it ominously.

What interested you in this role: What interested me in this role was the opportunity to dive into character acting! I knew that it would be a challenge but would also allow me to grow as an actress. Mushnik can be considered something of a small scale villain— a man driven to great lengths by greed, selfishness, and desperation. He constantly manipulates Seymour so that he can mooch off of the unexpected success brought about by Seymour’s plant.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume:The most iconic props are, by far, the different plant puppets. I think that my favorite puppet, however, has to be the first one. It is so small and—quite frankly—so cute! It looks completely harmless, but looks can be so deceiving.

What is the hardest part about your role: The hardest part of being Mr. Mushnik is how drastically different I have to be! He is everything I am not. He is also quite a complex character. He’s desperate for success, driven by greed, and wildly unpredictable in his moods. Sometimes, keeping up that kind of energy can be so exhausting!

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: Having the privilege to play Mr. Mushnik has taught me many things over the past few months. But above all, I have learned that greed is absolutely all-consuming. It masks itself by pretending to be self worth: I deserve this; I deserve that. It warps someone into taking things that aren’t theirs. Mushnik serves as a powerful lesson to us all.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will like the dark humor in the show. There are many times in the show where I have to fight to keep my composure and character because of the pure irony of the whole situation. If you like something a little odd and driven by dark humor- this is the show for you!

What is unique about this musical: This musical is so unique because of the dark humor, multiple plant puppets, and the various sci-fi elements. Honestly, being able to participate in a musical like this is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If you could have any part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: If I could have any part in any musical I would love to be Cinderella from Into the Woods. I like the character of Cinderella because she wishes desperately for a new life, but her wish doesn’t work out in the way she hoped. It is an important lesson that  you should always be careful what you wish for.

What other activities are you involved in: I am involved in quite a few things besides musical theatre. I participate in cross country, dance, singing lessons, Lincoln Light, drama club, the Gifted Program, Junior High Student Council, choir, marching band, and concert band. I also love to do the Boar’s Head at my church every year.

Future plans: My future plans are to hopefully become a fantasy fiction author. I have always loved reading books, and I recently won a small writing contest! (Fingers crossed that this is just the beginning of my writing journey!)

Anything else you would like to add: I am so very grateful for the chance to be a part of the Ellwood City musical! It has been both an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to bring another character to life on the Lincoln High stage. I look forward to being a part of the musicals for many years to come!

Calista Poole

Part in Musical: “DJ” or radio host / ensemble

Current Grade: 12

Been in musicals/plays since: 2018. Has performed in “The Addams Family,” “Willy Wonka,” “Godspell,” “Schoolhouse Rock,” and “Seussical” at the high school level.

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Mrs. Mayor in Seussical

Favorite Song in this musical: “Get It”

What interested you in this role: This character is an interviewer, and my father has been a reporter and an editor for a newspaper for as long as I’ve been alive. I’ve always been interested in that career.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I have an old-fashioned microphone for my scene as the DJ, and I am very fond of it as a fan of retro tech!

What’s the hardest part about your role: Memorization is a hard part for any show. I always have to try to get lines in my head and keep them there. The dances have always been a work in progress up until tech week, when all the effort I put in finally clicks.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: There are a lot of things that go unnoticed in a show, and one of them is the ensemble (as well as tech crew, the adult helpers, and many more). It can be discouraging to be one of many and not be individually recognized for hard work, but there are people who will see hard work and will recognize you for it. So, I’ve learned that the work that is less recognized is not less important, and good people will see that.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think they will appreciate the serious subject matter. Besides the giant talking plant, this show deals with serious topics like poverty and loving someone despite their past and present struggles. I believe that’ll be a welcome departure from previous shows that the audience will appreciate.

What is unique about this musical: the entire concept is entirely fanciful

If you could have a part in any musical what would that musical be and why: Anything or anyone from “Cabaret” I love history, and the conflict between action and inaction has alway interested me. In a way, it’s the opposite of my favorite movie, “Casablanca.” “Cabaret” foretells destruction from political inaction. In contrast, the characters in “Casablanca” are the mist of the destruction, showing how, even in small ways, you can always do something for the betterment of those around you. I like shows that show depravity in some way. If it has something controversial about it, I enjoy it. For example, “Anything Goes” was a very controversial show when it was written. It has themes that could have been upsetting to audiences in the 1930s. This flair drives me to a show. Complex human relationships that are raw, sad, and painful, but still have this blend of joy are best expressed in musical theater

What other activities are you involved in: I’m in marching band and drama club (with a show at the end of April). I am also a lifeguard at the Ellwood pool during the summer and the Beaver County YMCA in the off-season.

Future plans: I will be attending PITT Greensburg for a Bachelor’s degree in creative and professional writing and a dual major or minor in psychology or history

Anything else you would like to add: It has been a truly exceptional time for me in terms of growth, but our natural state is change, so it’s time for everyone to move on and continue to grow. It is a luxury to have a life worth missing, and I will miss all of this and every last person.

Isabella Winters

Part in Musical: Crystal/doowap girl

Current Grade: 11th

Been in musicals/plays since: 2026!

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: none!

Favorite Song in this musical: mushnik and son

What interested you in this role: I liked the movie! And I thought it would be something fun to participate in!

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I love my little plant I get to hold for the finale song

What’s the hardest part about your role: staying in character

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: no , but being in musical has helped me learn to commit to something that involves others

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: the energy of the show

What is unique about this musical: the difference in personality traits between the characters

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: Christine from phantom of the opera , it’s been my favorite musical since I was a little girl

What other activities are you involved in: nothing else but I will be finding things to do after musical!

Future plans: I plan to go into the military after school

Anything else you would like to add: I appreciate the opportunity to share!! And I wanna thank my family and our amazing directors!

Riley Festog

Part in musical: Ensemble: Featured Dancer

Current grade: 8th

Been in musicals/plays since: been in musicals 3 times since 2018. When I was in 1st grade, I was in the children’s choir in Marry Poppins. I was also in Shrek and Willy Wonka.

Favorite song in the musical: My favorite song in Little Shop of Horrors is The Finale.

What interested me in the role: My role is a good role that allows me to showcase my skills and learn ways to improve.

An iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of my costume: I can’t wait for people to see Audrey 2.

The hardest part about my role: The choreography and singing the correct note.

Has my character taught me anything “life changing” or that will stay with me after the show: No, not really.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: Everything, the costumes, the dancing, and the props.

What is unique about this musical: It’s a horror genre, all the other musicals were children’s musicals.

If you could have a part in any musical… what would that be and why: Snoopy in “ You’re a good man, Charlie Brown,” because Snoopy is my favorite Peanuts character.

What other activities are you involved in: Marching band, Drama club, Lincoln Closet, and Lincoln Light.

Future plans: Graphic Artist, possibly acting and Musicals outside of school.

Anything else you would like to add: I’d like to thank the Director, Producer, and the Music Director who helped me and the whole cast sing and do choreography for the musical, I’d like to thank the Stage Crew for moving the set and helping out in the musical, and I’d like to thank the Whole Cast who are doing their best and having the best time ever in Little Shop Of Horrors.

Don’t Miss the Show!

Dates and times

• Friday, March 27 – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, March 28 – 7 p.m.
• Sunday, March 29 – 3 p.m.

Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased here. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School is located at 501 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City, PA. For additional information, please contact 724-752-1591.