Beck Center Youth Theater Announces Upcoming Production

LAKEWOOD, OH — Beck Center for the Arts recently announced its first production of 2021-2022 Youth Theater Season.

The 73rd season will start with a modern, original parody of the cult classic sci-fi comedy Little Shop of Horrors, written and directed by Russell Stich. Little Tech Shop of Horrors: When Good Science Goes Bad runs Oct. 21 to Oct. 24, 2021, in the Senney Theater.

In the "Little Shop of Horrors" parody, the students of The Mushkin Technical Academy deal with the same problems as any other students. The cafeteria food is awful, the popular kids "Rule the School,” and now their favorite teacher has been let go! Things start to look up when they discover an unfinished android in one of the storage units and decide to enter it in an upcoming competition. Unfortunately, it seems they may never get a chance when cosmic events cause the android to act on its own and begin its conquest of the human race! Can our heroes save the day, or will this be their final exam?

“The cast is having a great time with the script, which is a combination of comedy, sci-fi and just a touch of horror thrown in fun. Our cast has embraced the characters and are doing a fantastic job of giving them life," Russel Stich said of this process. "After just a few short rehearsals, these characters are already beginning to feel like fully developed people. As the author, it’s exciting to see these talented young actors bring a bit of their own personalities to the characters you’ve created.”

This production takes place live and in-person with a student matinee on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m., and performances open to the public with a 7:30 p.m. curtain on both Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23, and a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. Also running at those at those curtain times is a live-streaming virtual option, for out of town friends and family of the cast and crew, and for younger siblings unable to yet be vaccinated against COVID-19. For additional information on this option please visit beckcenter.org.

Tickets are now on sale. Call 216-521-2540 x10 for group rates and to schedule a spot in the student matinee. Prices include $12 Adult/Senior and $10 Children/Student (18 & under). Reserve tickets for either the in-person or virtual performance at beckcenter.org, call 216.521.2540 x10 or simply stop by Beck Center Customer Service at 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH, 44107.