The Moorestown Parks and Recreation Department and MoorArts is collaborating on a musical production for the first time and will present their take on “Little Shop of Horrors” July 27 through 29.
In Moorestown, there’s no shortage of options for those interested in participating in theater, and for the first time, two of Moorestown’s local theater organizations are joining forces to create a musical with a production value that surpasses anything either group has done previously. On July 27, 28 and 29, the Moorestown Parks and Recreation Department and MoorArts will present their take on “Little Shop of Horrors” at the South Valley Elementary School Auditorium.
Theresa Miller, Moorestown’s director of Parks and Recreation, said both the Parks and Recreation department and MoorArts hope to show the community they don’t have to pick or choose between groups.
“We don’t want to compete with each other,” Miller said. “We want to work together in collaboration, pulling all our resources together.”
When Miller stepped into the department in 2007, she said they were actively looking at ways to expand their arts programming. She said the department consulted with MoorArts at the time and has worked with it in various smaller capacities over the years, such as having MoorArts hold art shows in Moorestown’s recreation center and co-hosting a karaoke fundraiser.
Last fall, the two groups sat down again and discussed doing something bigger. Miller said they decided they wanted to create some kind of theater academy.
Sarah Dugan, the Department of Parks and Recreation’s director for the production, said the goal is to educate the cast, who range in age from 13 to 19, in theater technique and professionalism. She said this is training these students may not have gotten in any formal capacity previously.
“We’re able to kind of bring these aspects of the academic side of theater,” Dugan said.
Dugan said the two groups made a joint decision to chose a production that would involve a small to medium cast of Mooretown students with an interest in pursuing theater.
“They’re a very energetic, committed group,” Dugan said.
MoorArts treasurer Lorrie Hulfish said this production targets Moorestown residents specifically, which is something MoorArts hasn’t done. Previously, MoorArts has had aspiring actors from across the Philadelphia region in its productions.
Hulfish said MoorArts usually holds its practices at Moorestown High School, but with the school closed for renovations this summer, it was left in the lurch. She said rehearsal space in Moorestown can be competitive, at times, so it was grateful when Parks and Recreation expressed an interest in collaborating.
Miller said the production has been enhanced by the two organizations’ shared resources. She said two organizations means more staff to work on the show, more funding and more exposure.
Dugan said “Little Shop of Horrors” will be unlike anything either group has done previously. She said to her knowledge, the production has never been performed by any art group in Moorestown.
The production concept, in particular, will be a fresh take for audiences, Dugan said. The show will start out completely in grayscale, with sets designed completely in grayscale color and all of the costuming in shades of gray. The show will gradually colorize as the production goes on, with colored set pieces and costumes being gradually added.
With rehearsals underway, Miller said the experience has been exceptionally positive.
“It’s just a wonderful relationship,” Miller said. “I enjoy so much working with the MoorArts volunteers.”
“Little Shop of Horrors” will take place on July 27, 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the South Valley Elementary School auditorium. Tickets will be available online at www.MoorArts.org. To speak with someone to get more information, call Parks & Rec at (856) 914–3093.
