On the 2nd of December, 2023, I had my last production performance, “Little Shop Of Horrors,” tipping my hat off as both Mr. Mushnik (my character) and as a senior. But let’s rewind the tape and look at my first audition for the production.
With the introduction of “Little Shop Of Horrors,” the part that I initially planned on auditioning for was the Plant, Audrey II. I thought that with the eccentric delivery of the lines, I could add a comedic value to it. I was the first person to audition for the production to get it out of the way. I wasn’t that confident about getting the role, but I gave it my best. A couple of days later, I got an email for a callback audition, but Ms. Jackson and Mr. Kim pushed for the role of Mr. Mushnik, the shopkeeper of the flower shop where most of the production occurs. So I did my very best in imitating a New York accent and practiced the part. On the weekend after the callback, the final cast sheet was released, and I was cast as Mr. Mushnik! I was of course very happy and thrilled that I made it into the main cast, and I believe that it was a good call since Akhil is playing Seymour, the main protagonist, Mr. Mushnik is a father figure, later adopted father of Seymour, and I am his senior so it matched that same dynamic.
Rehearsals went on from September to November, where we worked tirelessly on choreography, and practicing notes and music. Through the guidance of Ms. Jackson, and Mr. Kim, and with a lot of microphone issues, we were able to get through from start to finish and polish up the nitty-gritty details of the show. Below is a photo of what I like to call, the “Flowershop Trio,” which comprises the shop owner (me), his later-adopted son (Akhil), and his other employee (Naomi).
After all that. It was showtime! Now here was the predicament. Normally, I’m not nervous about a performance that involves singing, and I’m fine with that. But this was my first production since I was in 8th Grade! The interesting part was on the first night, we invited some people from British School to come over and watch. So as I walked onto the stage, and delivered one of my Sinhala phrases, that made the audience laugh, and at that moment, I knew that I would be fine for the rest of the shows. As the second day passed through, that was the taping day! This was the performance that would be filmed and recorded throughout the rest of history. Below is a photograph of one of the songs “Closed For Renovation.”
Finally, on the last day, it was quite somber as it was the last day, but we ignored all that and made sure to give it all our best and made sure to have fun on the way. Once we all had the final curtain call, we all sighed deeply as it was all over. Then Ms. Jackson and Mr. Kim came to the front to speak their last remarks. Afterward, we seniors were asked to come down and just stand there as they stated that “this is their last high school production.” Pep, Zach, Eloise, and I were just standing there just doing nothing but we felt the bittersweet emotion as that sentence was uttered. Picture of that moment below.
Don’t click off just yet as I need to acknowledge everyone who worked tirelessly on this to make it a memorable experience. Firstly, I would like to thank Ms. Jackson and Mr. Kim for their great sense of direction and dedication to shaping all of us up into Skid-Row inhabitants, especially Ms. Jackson as I have been working with her for the entirety of secondary. Next, I would like to thank Mr. Marlon, the band, Mr. Lakshitha, and the lighting/sound crew for putting on a stellar performance in terms of stage lights, and audibly. They all made this musical lively with their contributions. Next, the backstage crew, if it wasn’t for them, wouldn’t know when and where to get our props, also for further “renovating” the shop during the interval. Finally to the cast. The ensemble was the backbone of the whole production and without them, this would have felt very, very empty. Through their harmonies and synchronized choreography, they covered the space that our main cast wouldn’t be able to do. Speaking of which, Ethan Shaul (Class of 2027), for perfectly capturing the dentist’s energy and charisma, your performance was so entertaining to experience from beginning to end, and you’re such a fun person to hang around! Sofia Obretenova (Class of 2025), your portrayal of the plant was so awesome to watch. Even though I initially auditioned for the plant, I think that it was given to the right person. You are very talented both in acting and music, and I will miss the conversations on which note is correct in specific songs Naomi Omprasadham (Class of 2026), you are such a talented person that I was able to work alongside you for such a long time. You are such a nice individual and so supportive of all of the cast and crew.
Now Akhil is someone I need to say a couple of words for. Our very first production together was in Peter Pan in 2016, where he played Captain Hook, and I played John, the tophat boy. From there, we’ve been acting and performing together ever since. From future productions to New Year songs, to us being in DP Music together, we work so well together that the dynamic was more father-son-like, and I feel that this production perfectly captured our friendship. I will miss hanging out with him, sharing our piano and guitar melodies, and creating harmonies together. As his senior, I could not be more proud of him for what he has achieved.
