As a freshman at Stebbins High School, James Roselli gave his portrayal of Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors.” Nearly a decade later, 24-year-old Roselli is giving the role another whirl.
“It was my first major role I ever had and first time singing in front of anybody,” said Roselli about his debut. “It’s kind of interesting to go back and play this role now.”
With another opportunity to resurrect the character of Seymour, Roselli is going to take the character down a different path.
“I’ve grown as an actor, so my style of performing has changed and my singing has grown tremendously,” he said. “There are some aspects that are going to be different and some aspects where I’m going to try and go back to the innocence of the character.
“Seymour is a great role and I’m just happy to do it,” he said.
Roselli moved to New York City in 2007 to pursue a career in performing arts. While in New York, Roselli auditioned for musicals and plays, reaching the final callbacks for “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
“While I was there, I realized that you really do need to have some sort of training because you can’t be too much of a raw talent in this career,” Roselli said. “I told myself to go back to school and get my training down. I just needed to come back and fill out that base and refine all my rough edges.”
Roselli returned to the area in April 2008 and enrolled in classes at Sinclair. Roselli earned roles in Sinclair productions of “Macbeth,” as Banquo, and a cameo role in “Stop Kiss.”
Roselli said whether or not students are musical fans, “Little Shop of Horrors” is a unique and hilarious production.
Roselli said playing Seymour is a challenge that he has been working on all summer.
Directed by Nelson Sheely, “Little Shop of Horrors” runs from Oct. 16-24. Roselli praised Sheely’s stance on character control.
“He gives us a rough blocking of what we are supposed to play,” Roselli said. “Other than that, he really does give you free reign to create.”
“Little Shop of Horrors” times and dates
Oct. 16 – 8 p.m.
Oct. 17 – 8 p.m.
Oct. 18 – 2 p.m.
Oct. 20 – 10 a.m.
Oct. 21 – 10 a.m.
Oct. 22 – 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 – 8 p.m.
Oct. 24 – 8 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase through www.sinclair.edu.