You may not see his face. You may not hear his voice. But if you go see “Little Shop of Horrors” you will certainly see Michael Frazier’s performance as Audrey II, the man-eating plant.
Frazier said he was chosen to do the manipulation for Audrey II because of a recommendation from Brian McKnight, a teacher of his in the theatre department.
“I’m probably the only short theatre guy who could get in the puppet anyway,” Frazier said.
Frazier works closely with fellow cast member Joshua Scales, who voices the puppet that Frazier moves. Though most of the work is done during rehearsal, Frazier said the two actors also rehearse on their own for one or two hours a week.
“We work constantly to put on the best show we can together,” Frazier said.
Frazier described manipulating the man-sized puppet to controlling a very large clamshell with his arms. He thinks the puppetry is interesting, but it can also be strenuous and hot. He said the way the puppet looks when he’s performing helps motivate him.
“It’s different, it’s really challenging, but it’s fun, and that’s what’s driven me to do it,” Frazier said.
Frazier said director Nelson Sheeley is trying to keep the show as close to a Broadway-level production as he can. He also said he has never worked harder in any other production.
“Not to toot my own horn, but we’re putting a lot of work into it,” Frazier said.
Signing up for theatre classes was not something Frazier planned for. After graduating high school, he “bummed around” for two years before his grandmother brought him to sign up for classes at Sinclair.
“It’s the best decision I never made,” Frazier said. “It’s not like I thought college would be.”