Little Shop of Horrors, “an affectionate rock-n-roll spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies,” continues its run at the Progress Energy Center this weekend. Produced by North Carolina Theatre, the show features a cast of both veteran actors and rising stars. Reviews from University student audience members have been very positive, and the cast said they have enjoyed their time in the production. North Carolina Theatre put on a student preview night last Friday, during which students could purchase tickets for $10. The student discount has been extended for the entire run of the show, according to Kristin Buie, the communications and company manager for North Carolina Theatre. “It wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I didn’t really know what to expect, but a plant eating people was not what I was expecting. I liked it,” Elise Hauser, a freshman in First Year College, said. Brandon Walker, a freshman in chemical engineering, said the show was really good. “It had a very strange ending, when they all became part of the plant. Other than that, the music was good, the acting was good, the singing was good — it was good,” Walker said. “It’s one of the first plays I’ve really been to. It’s a really well-put, professional play.” Elizabeth Wait, a junior in agricultural education and animal science, said the show was awesome. “I really liked the dentist character. I was really sad that he’s not in [the show] for very long,” Wait said. “I really want an Audrey II hand puppet now. I’m going to go on Amazon and see if they make them.” Wait said she was in the same play in high school. “I have to go buy the soundtrack now, because even though I was in [Little Shop] is high school I still don’t have the soundtrack yet,” Wait said. Rhonda Lemon, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, said she knew what to expect going in. “I had gone in having seen the movie a couple times, so I knew what to expect. I knew the ending was different and I knew how it ended, but it was just really great to see it on stage,” Lemon said. Rebecca Covington (Ronnettee) was absent last Friday due to a death in her family, but will be back for the remaining shows, according to Buie. During student preview night, Covington’s lines were delivered and sung offstage, while the action onstage continued as it normally would. “Even with the person missing it was simply amazing,” said Lemon. The lead role of Seymour is played by North Carolina native Noah Putterman. Putterman was involved with theater when he was growing up, and is quite excited to return to his home state for this production. “[The best part] is being with such a talented cast and playing off of them,” Putterman said. “It’s a fun show to do. It has enjoyable �music and it’s easy [for the audience] to get involved with.” Putterman said there were a few technical issues at first that needed to be worked out. “It’s a lot to get adjusted to,” Putterman said. “You don’t get a lot of time to adjust for things. All the pieces come together.” Putterman also said the show was more difficult to perform in such a large theatre because the original script was written for a smaller space. Parker Fitzgerald, the puppeteer who brings the Audrey II plant to life, said “I’ve had an absolute great time. It’s been a hoot so far.” Fitzgerald is a Little Shop veteran, who performed as the puppeteer with this cast in Fort Worth, Texas. “[I feel] the audience is loving Audrey II,” Fitzgerald said. “I love when I do [the song] ‘Get It.’ It gets the adrenaline pumping when the plant first comes alive. It’s magic to do. ‘Suddenly Seymour’ is also a [personal] favorite. Gina and Noah do such a wonderful job with that song. It’s great to listen to and watch.” Evan Casey, who plays Orin the Sadistic Dentist and several other characters, said the show has been a very positive experience. “It’s a great cast with wonderfully talented people. We’re great together. The audience has been very responsive. It really is a good group of people [that put the show on],” Casey said. Casey said that while “Orin is wonderful to play, each [other character] holds a special place in my heart. Patrick Martin, the one I play at the very end, is somebody I had fun playing.” According to the actors, audience responsiveness has been high. “I think they’re with us. It’s been gratifying,” Putterman said. “Raleigh is a great town,” Casey said. “There are a lot of young people interested in theater, which is a great thing. It seems to be a very cultured community.”