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Cypress Springs High School principal Travis
Fanning stands beside the stage prop for Audrey II, the giant plant that will
be featured in the school’s production of Little
Shop of Horrors.
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Cypress Springs High School principal Travis Fanning will serve as the voice of Audrey II in the school’s upcoming performance of Little Shop of Horrors. The musical will take place at the school (7909 Fry Road) Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 1-2 at 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. and Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (call 281-345-3070) and $12 at the door, with advance dinner theatre tickets available for the Sept. 26 show for $25. Fanning, who is in his third year as the Panthers’ principal, discussed his upcoming role as the giant plant.
For those who haven’t seen Little Shop of Horrors, how would you describe it and why should
they come out to see it at Cypress Springs?
Little Shop of
Horrors is
a fun, entertaining play that is guaranteed to make you laugh, yet is sometimes
sad. Seymour Krelborn is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik’s, a flower shop. He
harbors a crush on fellow co-worker Audrey Fulquard, and is berated by Mr.
Mushnik daily. One day as Seymour is seeking a new plant, he finds a very
mysterious unidentified plant which he calls Audrey II. The plant seems to have
a craving for blood and soon begins to sing for his supper and becomes
temperamental. Soon enough, things spin out of control and it goes bad rather
quickly.
The Cy Springs cast for this play is AMAZING!
The talent level of the students rival that of many professionals. They are eager
to learn and are always willing to display their talents.
The character of Audrey II is described as being “an
anthropomorphic cross between a Venus flytrap and an avocado.” Are you glad
that you will not be required to wear this costume during the musical?
The
most exciting part about this play, is the fact that I am off stage and serving
as the “voice” of the plant. The puppet masters have the hard work. They are in
a tight, confined space for over an hour controlling the movement of the plant
during his various temper tantrums.
How were you approached for the role, and how much
convincing did you require?
Having done acting in high school,
college and for several small theatres in Houston, it did not take much
convincing. Our tech theatre teacher (Mr. Greg
Alldredge) saw me in a play last year and asked me if I would do this
production, and so I gave a quick “yes.”
Is your family pretty excited about it?
They are. I take my son to school most
days, so for the past few weeks he has listened to the song during our commute.
He like the song Feed Me the most
from the play.
Do you have any past or current experience with theatrical
performances or singing?
Yes. I
have acted in numerous plays since age 15.
What has the rehearsal experience been like, working alongside
the Cypress Springs students and theatre director Andrea Boronell?
The
students have been GREAT. I tell them to treat me like a cast member and not
their principal during rehearsal. They give me notes and share ideas with me to
help enhance the comedy aspect of the show. Mrs. Boronell is an excellent
director! She expects the best from all of us each and every day.
What is your favorite musical number in Little Shop of Horrors, and why?
Supper Time. It is
fun because I as the plant am convincing Seymore to kill once again so that I
can eat.
You will be voicing Audrey II for four of the seven
performances (Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at 2 p.m.; Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. and Oct.
5 at 3 p.m.). Who is doing the voice for the other three?
Chaz
Coronado
You currently trail Mushnik’s Florists (@MushniksF) in Twitter followers, 616-196, from your
@Cy_SpringsPrin account. Do you
think this role will increase your social media reach?
I hope
so! My goal is to have thousands of followers! LOL.
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Cypress Springs principal Travis Fanning joins fellow cast
members (L-R) Chaz Coronado, Sebastian Hitt, Rufino Sanchez, Leandro Argueta
and Simon Gonzales on stage next to Audrey II.
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