Since the 1960 cult classic movie Little Shop of Horrors journeyed across the country from the screen to the stage, it has been a hit. This summer, The River Raisin Youth Theatre is bringing this sci-fi smash musical, which is one of the longest running Off-Broadway shows, to the RRCA. The RRYT will present three showings of Little Shop of Horrors on July 18th and 19th at 7:30 p.m. and June 20th at 3 p.m. Tickets for the show are $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. This show is generously sponsored by La-Z-Boy and made possible by Music Theatre International.
At the beginning of every Little Shop show, a chorus of three girls enter the scene to warn audiences of the dangers that lie ahead. Their 1960’s style pop number is upbeat and innocent enough to have made audiences from the past 54 years heed any warning and continue watching, what Music Theatre International calls, a “deviously delicious Broadway and sci-fi” musical. Little Shop of Horrors is the story of the meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn, who stumbles across a new breed of plant that he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush, Audrey. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination.
This spoof of 1950’s sci-fi movies has become a household name thanks to the successful 1960 film directed by Roger Corman and a rock n’ roll, Motown and Doo-Wop inspired musical score by the song-writing power team: Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. The original stage show, which the RRYT will be performing, is somewhat different from the movie in that the show closes with a more shocking ending rather than with a “happily ever after” Hollywood hooray. Despite the lack of a predictable feel good finale, audiences will leave satisfied and entertained. Director Tracy Glover says, “the show is really funny, has great music, and the tech side of things with the puppet plants are going to wow the audiences; we also have a killer band that will bring the show to life.”
Auditions and callbacks for the show took place in early May and were open to actors from 7th grade – age 20. There are 48 local youth actors performing, all of whom are from Monroe County. The lead parts will be played by Will Henkel as Seymour Krelborn, Morgan Lemanski as Audrey, Chad Shultz as Mr. Mushnik and Zach Douglas as Audrey II. Tracy Glover is joined by music director, Josh Glover; choreographer, Alyssa Langmeyer; and stage manager, Craig Cousino.
Of her cast and team, Tracy says, “My cast and team are amazing. I have been blessed with an extremely talented cast and I am thoroughly enjoying rehearsals with them. They are hard-working and they come to rehearsals well prepared and ready to work. We also have a lot of fun laughing and getting to know each other in the process. I really like the fact that I get to put together a fantastic cast, teach them about theatre, and mold them into great performers in the process…I can’t wait to give this cast to an audience!”
