At Scotts Valley High School, the stage is blooming in sweet and sinister ways as the theater department presents its production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Behind the campy comedy and larger-than-life characters is a team of über-dedicated students who’ve spent their spring break preparing for the production to hit the SVHS Student Union stage from April 17 thru May 2.
For senior Jaycee Barber, the production marks both a milestone and a culmination. Cast as Audrey, the soft-spoken, vulnerable heroine with a yearning for a better life, Barber is also stepping into a new behind-the-scenes role: as the show’s student choreographer.
“Audrey is someone who struggles with confidence,” Barber explained. “She doesn’t always believe she deserves something better, especially in her relationships. But over time, she starts to see that she does.”
It’s a journey Barber understands well, both as an actor and as a leader guiding her peers through choreography for the first time. Having assisted on past productions, this is her debut as the lead choreographer—a role she’s embraced with growing confidence.
“At first, I was nervous,” she admitted. “But everyone here wants to be here. They’re willing to listen and work together. That makes all the difference.”
That sense of shared purpose is evident across the cast, including junior Kyle Goode, who plays the unforgettable and unsettling dentist Orin Scrivello, DDS. With seven productions under his belt, Goode brings both experience and enthusiasm to a role that demands physicality, comedic timing, and a willingness to fully commit to the absurd.
“He’s not someone you’d want to meet in real life,” Goode said with a grin. “He’s chaotic, a little creepy, always on laughing gas. But that’s what makes him fun to play.”
Though not the show’s central character, Goode sees Orin as one of its most memorable.
“When he’s on stage, he leaves an impression,” he said. “It’s about commanding that moment and making the audience feel something, whether that’s laughter or discomfort.”
For Goode, returning to the Scotts Valley stage after taking a break last semester felt like coming home.
“This program is a home base for me,” he said. “I wanted to come back, especially for this show. It’s one of my favorites.”
That feeling of home is something echoed by many in the production, especially director Kendra Kannegaard, who has a particularly personal connection to “Shop.” It was the first musical she ever directed—a decade back. Now, she returns to it in a new chapter of her life, as both a mother and a mentor.
“This feels like a full-circle moment,” she said. “I was so new back then. Now, coming back to it, I can see how much I’ve grown—and how much the students bring to it that makes it completely different.”
Currently volunteering her time while on leave with her infant, Kannegaard was determined to return for this production, especially for her senior students.
“I didn’t want to miss this with them,” she said. “These shows matter. For some of them, it’s the last time they’ll ever be on stage.”
That sense of urgency and meaning shaped her choice of musical. After a previous production heavy with graduating seniors, she selected “Shop” for its smaller ensemble and strong character roles, which Kannegaard sees as perfect for showcasing a wide range of talent.
“I wanted something fun, something a little quirky, but still meaningful,” she said. “And this show gives students so much room to explore their characters.”
It also gives audiences plenty to think about.
While “Shop” is known for its humor and catchy songs, its themes run deeper. From the dangers of ambition to the importance of staying true to oneself, the story offers lessons that resonate beyond the stage.
“Don’t change who you are to get what you think you want,” Goode said. “The right things will come to you if you stay true to yourself.”
That message is one that extends beyond the script and into the rehearsal room, where students take on leadership roles not just in performance, but in production. From student vocal directors to choreographers and even a student producer helping manage logistics, the show is as much student-driven as it is staff-supported.
“It’s really their show,” Kannegaard said. “We’re just here to guide them.”
That ownership is part of what makes high school theater so powerful. In a world increasingly dominated by screens and algorithms, live performance offers something irreplaceable: connection and a true shared experience.
“There’s nothing like live theater,” Kannegaard said. “You can’t replicate it. These students step on stage, and suddenly you’re not in a school anymore, you’re somewhere else entirely.”
And for a few hours, audiences are transported—from Scotts Valley to a struggling flower shop on Skid Row, where a mysterious plant promises fame, fortune and just a little bit of danger.
It’s a wild ride. It’s a cautionary tale. And, most of all, it’s a celebration of the creativity and commitment of young performers who bring it all to life.
“Some of these students will go on to do theater forever,” Kannegaard said. “Others won’t. But right now, this is theirs. And that’s what makes it special.”
The SVHS production of “Little Shop of Horrors” boasts two casts: The Downtown cast performs April 18, May 1-2 (at 7pm), and April 19 and 25 at (2pm); the Uptown Cast performs April 17, 24 and 25 (at 7pm), and April 26 and May 2 (at 2pm) with Understudy Night on Friday, April 24 (at 7pm). For tickets or more information, visit cur8.com/867/project/137391.
