Little Shop of Horrors
Original Cast Album
Music	Alan Menken
Lyrics	Howard Ashman
Book	Howard Ashman
Based upon	Roger Corman film The Little Shop of Horrors
Productions	1982 Off-Broadway 1986 Film 2003 Broadway 2004 U. Alan Menken (born July 22 1949 in New Rochelle, New York) is an American Broadway and an eight-time Academy Award Howard Ashman ( May 17, 1950 - March 14, 1991) was an American playwright and movie music lyricist Howard Ashman ( May 17, 1950 - March 14, 1991) was an American playwright and movie music lyricist Roger William Corman (born April 5 1926) sometimes nicknamed "King of the Bs" for his output of B-movies (though he himself rejects this as inaccurate The Little Shop of Horrors is a 1960 Comedy film directed by Roger Corman. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Little Shop of Horrors is the 1986 musical Film adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " S. National Tour 2006 West End International productions
Awards	Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical Outer Critics Circle Award Evening Standard Award for Best Musical

Little Shop of Horrors is a musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. Musical theatre is a form of Theatre combining Music, Songs spoken Dialogue and Dance. Alan Menken (born July 22 1949 in New Rochelle, New York) is an American Broadway and an eight-time Academy Award Howard Ashman ( May 17, 1950 - March 14, 1991) was an American playwright and movie music lyricist The musical was based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy The Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Roger Corman. Black comedy, also known as black humor or dark comedy, is a sub-genre of Comedy and Satire where topics and events that are usually regarded The Little Shop of Horrors is a 1960 Comedy film directed by Roger Corman. Roger William Corman (born April 5 1926) sometimes nicknamed "King of the Bs" for his output of B-movies (though he himself rejects this as inaccurate The music, composed by Menken in the style of 1960's rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, included several show-stoppers including "Skid Row (Downtown)," "Somewhere That's Green," and "Suddenly Seymour," as well as the title song. Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African Doo-wop is a style of vocal-based Rhythm and blues music which developed in African-American communities in the 1940s and which achieved mainstream popularity both in the 1950s "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan.

In addition to the original long-running 1982 off-Broadway production and subsequent Broadway production, the musical has been performed all over the world, including in Buenos Aires, Sydney, Vienna, São Paulo, Toronto, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Paris, Berlin, Athens, Budapest, Reykjavík, Jerusalem, Rome, Tokyo, Zurich, Athens, Barcelona, Cologne, Mexico City, Auckland, Oslo, Singapore City, Johannesburg, Madrid, Stockholm, Seinajoki, Akureyri, Vaasa, and London. Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is geographically located on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Vienna ( in Wien; see also other names) is the Capital of Austria, and is also one of the nine States of Austria. São Paulo ( is the largest city in Brazil, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Copenhagen (ˌkəʊpənˈheɪgən ˌkəʊpənˈhɑːgən ˈkəʊpənˌheɪgən ˈkəʊpənˌhɑːgən kʰøb̥ənˈhɑʊ̯ˀn kʰøb̥m̩ˈhɑʊ̯ˀn is the capital and largest city Helsinki (in Finnish;) or Helsingfors (in Swedish;) is the Capital and largest city of Finland. Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's Budapest ( also /ˈbʊ-/) is the capital city of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary it serves as the country's principal Political, For the Greater Reykjavík Area see the Greater Reykjavík Area. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 officially, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. Zürich (, Zürich German: Züri, Zurich, Zurigo; in English generally Zurich) is the largest city in Switzerland and capital of the Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's Barcelona ( Catalan bəɾsəˈlonə Spanish baɾθeˈlona is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico The Auckland metropolitan area or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country (called Christiania from 1624 to 1878 and Kristiania from 1878 to 1924 is the Capital and largest city of Norway. Singapore Johannesburg ( Pronounced /jō-hān'ĭs-bûrg'/ is the largest city in South Africa. Madrid (pronounced in English in Spanish and colloquially in Spain) is the Capital and largest city of Spain. ('stɔkhɔlm is Sweden 's Capital and its largest City. It is the site of the national Swedish government, the parliament, and the Sights Lakeuden risti ("the cross of the plains" Alvar Aalto's cultural and administrative centre the Southern Ostrobothnia District Akureyri ( is a town in the northern part of Iceland; it is the second largest urban area after Greater Reykjavík area but is the fourth Vaasa ( Swedish: Vasa) is a city on the west coast of Finland. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Because of its small cast and relatively simple orchestrations, it has become popular with community theatre and high school groups. WikiProject {{{1}}} The definition of Community Theatre differs in the US from the UK High school is the name used in some parts of the world (in particular Scotland, North America and Australia) to describe an institution ^[1] The musical was also made into a film in 1986, directed by Frank Oz. Little Shop of Horrors is the 1986 musical Film adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name Frank Oz (born May 25, 1944) is a British-born American Film director, Actor and Puppeteer.

Synopsis

Act I

Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon (characters named after female doo-wop girl groups in the 1960s), set the scene ("Little Shop of Horrors"). A girl group is a Popular music act featuring several young Female Singers who generally harmonize together These three girls comment on the action throughout the show. Seymour Krelborn is a poor young man, an orphan living in urban skid row. A skid row or skid road is a run-down or dilapidated urban area with a large population of impoverished abusers of Alcohol and often other Drugs Audrey is a pretty blonde with a fashion sense that leans towards the provocative and tacky. They lament their station in life and seek a life away from the urban blight ("Skid Row (Downtown)"). They are co-workers at Mushnik's Skid Row Florists, a run-down flower shop owned and operated by the cranky and sly Mr. Mushnik. Seymour has recently obtained a mysterious plant that looks like a large venus fly trap. While he was browsing the wholesale flower district, a sudden eclipse of the sun occurred, and when the light returned, the weird plant had appeared ("Da-Doo"). Seymour is secretly in love with Audrey, and names the plant Audrey II in her honor.

The little plant does not thrive in its new environment and appears to be dying. Seymour questions why it should be doing poorly when he takes such good care of it. He accidentally pricks his finger on a rose's thorn, which draws blood, and Audrey II's pod opens thirstily. Seymour realizes that Audrey II requires blood to survive and allows the plant to suckle from his finger ("Grow For Me"). As Audrey II grows, the plant becomes an attraction and begins generating substantial business for Mushnik. Being the owner of the plant, Seymour has suddenly gone from loser to hero ("Ya Never Know"). Realizing that his sudden profitability is completely dependent on the plant (and therefore Seymour), Mushnik takes advantage of Seymour's innocence by offering to adopt him and bring him on as a full partner in the business ("Mushnik & Son"). Having always wanted a family, Seymour accepts, not realizing he is being conned.

Orin Scrivello, a sadistic dentist, is Audrey's abusive boyfriend. Modeled after the 'leader of the pack' characters of the 1950's, Orin drives a motorcycle, wears leather, and enjoys bringing other people pain ("Dentist!"). Meanwhile, the employees at Mushnik's are sprucing up the flower shop, due to the popularity of the now large Audrey II, and the revenue it is bringing in ("Closed For Renovation"). Audrey reveals she is not happy in her relationship and secretly has feelings for the timid Seymour. She sings that her ultimate dream is to have the ideal suburban life with Seymour, complete with a tract home, frozen dinners and plastic on the furniture ("Somewhere That's Green").

Meanwhile, Seymour is having difficulty providing enough blood to keep Audrey II healthy. When Seymour stops feeding the plant, Audrey II reveals that it can speak (in a deep, demanding voice), and says that by feeding it, Seymour will ensure that all his dreams come true ("Feed Me (Git It)"). Seymour initially refuses, but then witnesses Orin abusing Audrey. The plant presents this as a justification for killing Orin. Not realizing he is being manipulated again, Seymour gives into his baser instincts and agrees. He sets up a late-night appointment with Orin, intending to kill him. However, Seymour loses his nerve and decides not to commit the crime. Unfortunately for Orin, who has been gassing himself with nitrous oxide, the gas device gets stuck in the 'on' position, and he overdoses while asking Seymour to help save him. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as " laughing gas," is a Chemical compound with the Chemical formula N 2 O. Seymour lets the sadistic dentist die laughing ("Now (It's Just The Gas)"). Seymour drags Orin's body away, as the now huge Audrey II calls for more blood ("Act I Finale").

Act II

The flower shop is busier than ever, and Seymour and Audrey are having trouble keeping up with the onslaught of new business ("Call Back In The Morning"). Audrey eventually approaches Seymour and confides that she is distraught by Orin's disappearance and death, even though she realizes that dating him was another mistake in a long line of bad boyfriends. The two admit their feelings for one another, and Seymour promises that he will protect and care for Audrey from now on ("Suddenly, Seymour"). The two plan to leave together and start a new life, although Seymour mistakenly attributes Audrey's feelings to his newfound fame, not realizing that she loved him even before, when he was just a shophand.

Before they can go, Mushnik confronts Seymour and accuses him of Orin's death, saying he plans to turn Seymour in to the police. Audrey II tells Seymour that he has to get rid of Mushnik or he'll lose everything including Audrey ("Suppertime"). Out of confusion and his love for Audrey, Seymour tricks Mushnik into thinking that the money he collected is inside Audrey II. As Mushnik searches for the money in the plant, he climbs inside and realizes he was tricked as he is chomped on, slurped, and swallowed. Seymour inherits the flower shop and is approached by reporters, salesman, lawyers, and agents promising fame and fortune. Seymour rationalizes that he deserves everything being offered to him and feels the fame is what's earning the love of Audrey ("The Meek Shall Inherit"). However, he knows that it is only a matter of time before Audrey II will kill again and that he is morally responsible. He considers destroying the plant, but believing that Audrey may not love him anymore, Seymour decides to stick with the plant.

As Seymour works on his speech for a lecture tour, Audrey II again squalls for blood. Seymour threatens to kill it just as Audrey walks in asking when Mushnik will return from his sick "sister. " Seymour learns that Audrey would still love him without the fame and decides that Audrey II must die after LIFE magazine comes to the shop. Audrey is confused and frightened by Seymour's ramblings, but she runs home by his order. That night, unable to sleep and distressed by Seymour's strange behavior, Audrey goes to the flower shop to talk with him. He is not there, and the plant locks the door and begs her to water him. Not sensing the mortal danger, she approaches to water it, and a vine wraps around her and pulls her in to the plant's gaping jaws("Sominex/Suppertime II"). Seymour walks in, realizes what is happening, and rushes at the plant in an attempt to save Audrey. He pulls her out, but Audrey is mortally wounded and tells him to feed her to the plant after she dies so that they can always be together. She dies in his arms, and he reluctantly honors her request ("Somewhere That's Green" (reprise)). Seymour falls asleep as Audrey II grows small red flower buds.

The next day, Patrick Martin from the World Botanical Enterprises tells Seymour that his company wishes to take leaf cuttings of Audrey II and sell them across America. Seymour realizes what the plant's evil plan was all along, learning that Audrey II caused the solar eclipse and came to Earth from an unknown planet. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is wholly or partially obscured He then tries shooting and cutting the plant but its hide is too tough. Next he grabs a handful of rat poison and tosses it in the annoyed plant's mouth which it spits out with ease. He then runs into its open jaws with a machete planning to kill it from the inside. The machete (məˈʃɛti is a large cleaver -like cutting tool Seymour is quickly eaten, and only the machete (and in some versions a string of intestines or his glasses) is burped up. Patrick, Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon search for Seymour. Not finding him, Patrick tells the girls to take cuttings and signals the truck outside to prepare for loading.

Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon relate that, following these events, other plants began appearing all over the world, tricking innocent people into feeding them blood in exchange for fame and fortune. They plan the consumption of the entire human population. Out of the fog, Audrey II, bigger than ever, appears with opened red and green flowers revealing the faces of Seymour, Audrey, Mushnik and Orin, who warn that no matter how seductive the plants may be, for the sake of the whole world, one must never do what the plants ask (Finale Ultimo ("Don't Feed the Plants")). Audrey II then crawls out using his roots towards the audience and threatens them. *

• In the original off-broadway production, the plant's tendrils fell all over the audience, as if each audience member were being pulled into the plant. In Botany, a tendril is a specialized stem, Leaf or petiole with a threadlike shape that is used by Climbing plants for support In the Broadway production, a monstrously huge Audrey projected out over the fifth row and the balcony seats, as if it would eat the audience members. It also snapped at the three girls a few times.

Original production

The musical had its world premiere on May 6, 1982 at the WPA Theatre. Musical theatre is a form of Theatre combining Music, Songs spoken Dialogue and Dance. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The Works Progress Administration (renamed in 1939 the Work Projects Administration; WPA) was the largest New Deal agency employing millions of people It opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre on July 27, 1982. Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City. Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) This original production, directed by Ashman, was critically acclaimed and won several awards including the 1982-1983 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, the Outer Critics Circle Award. The New York Drama Critics' Circle is made up of twenty-two Drama Critics from daily Newspapers, Magazines and Wire services The Drama Desk Award, created in 1955, is an award which recognizes shows produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-off-Broadway, and The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season ^[2] When it closed on November 1, 1987, after 2,209 performances, it was the third-longest running musical and the highest-grossing production in off-Broadway history.

Though a Broadway transfer had been proposed for the original Off-Broadway production, book writer Howard Ashman felt the show belonged where it was. ^[3] This decision ultimately allowed the production to run for a successful 5 years. The production's lack of Broadway transfer made it ineligible for the 1982 Tony Awards. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented

An original cast recording, released in 1982, omits the songs "Call Back in the Morning", and "Somewhere That's Green (Reprise)", and only had abridged versions of "Now (It's Just the Gas)," "Mushnik and Son," and "Meek Shall Inherit. " It also shifts the location of the song "Closed for Renovation," appearing in the show after "Somewhere That's Green" while appearing on the cast album after "Now (It's Just the Gas)" to serve as an upbeat bridge from Orin's death to the Act 2 love ballad, "Suddenly Seymour. " This recording features Leilani Jones, who replaced Marlene Danielle as Chiffon two weeks after the musical opened. Leilani Jones (born May 14, 1957, Oahu, Hawaii) is an American actress who first came to the world's attention in the original production

Characters and original cast

• Seymour Krelborn - Lee Wilkof
• Audrey - Ellen Greene
• Mr. Ellen Greene (born February 22, 1951) is an American Singer and actress. Mushnik - Hy Anzell
• Chiffon - Marlene Danielle (later replaced by Leilani Jones)
• Crystal - Jennifer Leigh Warren
• Ronnette - Sheila Kay Davis
• Audrey II (voice) - Ron Taylor
• Audrey II (manipulation) - Martin P. Robinson
• Orin, Bernstein, Snip, Luce, and Patrick Martin - Franc Luz

Musical numbers

Film

Main article: Little Shop of Horrors (film)

A film version of the musical was made in 1986. Hy Anzell (1924 &ndash August 23, 2003) was a Yiddish -speaking American Television and movie actor who first played plant store owner "Mr Leilani Jones (born May 14, 1957, Oahu, Hawaii) is an American actress who first came to the world's attention in the original production Ronald James Taylor ( October 16, 1952, Galveston Texas – January 16, 2002) was an American Actor. Martin P Robinson is a puppeteer for the Jim Henson Company. He originally built designed and performed the puppets for ''Little Shop of Horrors''. Little Shop of Horrors is the 1986 musical Film adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name Little Shop of Horrors is the 1986 musical Film adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name Directed by Frank Oz and noted as the only film written by Howard Ashman, it starred Rick Moranis as Seymour, Ellen Greene as Audrey, and the voice of Levi Stubbs. Frank Oz (born May 25, 1944) is a British-born American Film director, Actor and Puppeteer. Howard Ashman ( May 17, 1950 - March 14, 1991) was an American playwright and movie music lyricist Frederick Alan "Rick" Moranis (born April 18, 1953) is a retired Canadian Actor, Comedian and Musician, Ellen Greene (born February 22, 1951) is an American Singer and actress. Levi Stubbs (born Levi Stubbles) (born June 6, 1936) is an American singer best known as the lead vocalist of the famed Motown R&B

In addition, the Japanese production of the musical, with direction and choreography by Victor Valentine and Marsha Waterbury as Audrey, was filmed to be broadcast on Japanese television, like similar broadcasts of Victor/Victoria, 42nd Street (musical), and Pacific Overtures. ---- Victor/Victoria is a 1982 Musical comedy film which involves Transvestism and Sexual identity as central themes 42nd Street is a musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin, and music by Harry Warren Pacific Overtures is a 1976 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a libretto by John Weidman, and additional material by However, the tape was never broadcast.

Differences between the film and stage versions

Although the basic concept of the movie, musical and musical movie are the same, the details vary between versions.

The musical is faithful to the comic tone of the original 1960 film, although it makes a few slight changes to the story. The setting is moved from Skid Row in Los Angeles to Skid Row in New York. A skid row or skid road is a run-down or dilapidated urban area with a large population of impoverished abusers of Alcohol and often other Drugs Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Seymour's hypochondriac Jewish mother is omitted and Seymour becomes an orphan. Hypochondriasis (or hypochondria, sometimes referred to as health phobia) refers to an excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness The Jewish mother stereotype is a common Stereotype and Stock character used by Jewish Comedians usually when discussing (fictionally or not Also dropped is the subplot involving the two investigating cops. The characters of Mrs. Siddie Shiva and Burson Fouch are also omitted. The character of the gleefully masochistic dental patient was deleted from the stage musical, but appears in the original film and 1986 musical film (where he is played by Bill Murray). Sadism refers to Sexual or non-sexual gratification in the infliction of Pain or humiliation upon or by another person For the British actor see Billy Murray (actor. William James "Bill" Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an

In the musicals, the character of the sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello, (played by Steve Martin in the 1986 musical film) is killed off from laughing gas instead of being stabbed with a dental instrument. Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an Emmy Award -winning American Actor, Comedian, Writer, In addition, in the original film Seymour murders several innocent bystanders. In the musical, he is partially responsible for the deaths of Orin and Mushnik, although in both cases he does not deal the final blow in their deaths, making him a more sympathetic character.

The musical introduces three new characters: a chorus of female street urchins named Crystal, Chiffon and Ronnette after famous 1960s girl groups. The Crystals, a singing group from the New York City area were one of the most successful girl groups of the early 1960s best remembered for the hit singles " He's A Rebel The Chiffons was an all Girl group originating from the Bronx area of New York in 1960. The Ronettes were a Girl group of the 1960s from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. A girl group is a Popular music act featuring several young Female Singers who generally harmonize together The evil plant is named 'Audrey II', as opposed to the original 'Audrey Junior', and instead of being a crossbreed of a butterwort and a Venus Flytrap, is now a creature from outer space intent on taking over the world. The butterworts are a group of Carnivorous plants comprising the Genus Pinguicula. The Venus Flytrap Dionaea muscipula, is a Carnivorous plant that catches and digests animal prey&mdashmostly Insects and Arachnids Outer space, often simply called space, comprises the relatively empty regions of the Universe outside the escape velocities of Celestial bodies. World domination (sometimes world conquest, global domination, or Colloquially taking over the world) in which a single political authority It was brought to life through a series of elaborate puppets, some of which were large enough to be operated by an actor from the inside. A puppet is a representational figure manipulated by a Puppeteer.

Perhaps the biggest difference is the ending. The stage musical ends with the deaths of Seymour and Audrey, and we are told the plants went on to achieve a certain amount of destruction. In the 1986 movie, Seymour succeeds in killing Audrey II and saving Audrey, and they enjoy a happy ending in the tract home of Audrey's dreams. Given the nature of the story as a black comedy / horror, the ending to the stage musical stands as truer to its genre, as each character's shortcomings lead to their ultimate demise.

Subsequent productions

Pre-Broadway version

2003 tryout in Coral Gables, Florida starring Alice Ripley and Hunter Foster

In 2003, an $8 million revival of Little Shop of Horrors was planned with the goal of opening on Broadway on August 14. Coral Gables (sometimes referred to as The Gables) is a City in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Miami, in the United Alice Ripley (born December 14 1963) is an American Actress, Singer and songwriter Hunter Foster (born June 25, 1969, Lumberton North Carolina) is an American Musical theatre Actor /singer librettist Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located A $1 million pre-Broadway start-up production debuted at the Actor's Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables, Florida on May 16, 2003. Coral Gables (sometimes referred to as The Gables) is a City in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Miami, in the United Events 1204 - Baldwin IX Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The revival featured several people involved in the original 1982 production. Wilkoff, who created the role of Seymour in 1982, was cast as Mr. Mushnik. The production was directed by Wilkoff's wife, Connie Grappo, who was the assistant to Howard Ashman during the original production. Howard Ashman ( May 17, 1950 - March 14, 1991) was an American playwright and movie music lyricist ^[3] Robinson, who designed the original Audrey II puppets and was a muppeteer for Sesame Street, enlisted his friends at The Jim Henson Company to create new, high tech puppets especially for the show. Sesame Street is an American educational Children's television series and a pioneer of the contemporary educational television standard combining The Jim Henson Company is an American company founded in 1958 by puppeteer Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. High tech is Technology that is at the cutting edge —the most advanced technology currently available Alice Ripley joined the cast as Audrey, and the prologue was recited by Robert Stack. Alice Ripley (born December 14 1963) is an American Actress, Singer and songwriter Robert Langford Modini Stack ( January 13, 1919 &ndash May 14, 2003) was an Emmy Award -winning and Academy Award - nominated ^[4]

This version of Little Shop of Horrors received mixed reviews, with some critics complaining that the intimacy of the show was lost by expanding it to fit a larger (and thus more profitable) theatre. Other critics were harsher, calling the show "flat" and "uninspired" with several actors miscast, although the Miami Herald declared that "Alice Ripley's Audrey – part lisping Kewpie doll (ala Ellen Greene, who originated the role), part dental punching bag – is heartbreakingly adorable. "^[5]

2003 Broadway revival

On June 2, 2003, producer Marc Routh announced that the Broadway production was being canceled because "In spite of the great number of talented people involved, the elements of this production did not come together in the way we would have liked. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located "^[6] Hours after the announcement was made, the producers had the Virginia Theatre marquee painted over with black paint. The August Wilson Theatre, located at 245 West 52nd Street in New York City, is a legitimate Broadway theatre. Although the revival had been officially canceled, the production was not quite dead. In an effort to save the show, producers ousted Grappo in favor of veteran Broadway director Jerry Zaks and fired everyone in the cast except Foster and Robinson. Jerry Zaks (born September 7, 1946) is an German-American multiple award-winning stage - and Television director, and Actor. New casting began on June 3 and the producers held the lease on the theatre for September previews. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering

The musical finally made its Broadway debut at the Virginia Theatre on October 2, 2003 with the following cast:^[7][8] Although this was the first time it had played on Broadway, the show's success in film and numerous regional productions made it fall under the "Revival" category for the 2003 Tony Awards. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located The August Wilson Theatre, located at 245 West 52nd Street in New York City, is a legitimate Broadway theatre. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented Hunter Foster (Seymour) was nominated for a 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance. Hunter Foster (born June 25, 1969, Lumberton North Carolina) is an American Musical theatre Actor /singer librettist The Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical is awarded to the actor who was voted as the best actor in a musical play, whether a new production or a revival The Broadway cast included Hunter Foster as Seymour, Kerry Butler as Audrey, Rob Bartlett as Mr. Hunter Foster (born June 25, 1969, Lumberton North Carolina) is an American Musical theatre Actor /singer librettist Kerry Butler (born June 18, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York She notes that growing up "When I saw Annie. Robert Bartlett (born May 18, 1957 in Brooklyn New York) is a comedian actor and writer who gained wide-spread fame as Mushnik, Douglas Sills as Orin, Michael-Leon Wooley as the voice of Audrey II and DeQuina Moore as Chiffon. Douglas Sills (born July 5, 1960) is an American Actor. Born in Detroit Michigan, he grew up in the suburb of Franklin where he Michael-Leon Wooley (born March 29, 1969) is an American Television, Film and theatre Actor and Singer. DeQuina Moore is an American actress who is probably most notably known for her role as Pilar in Legally Blonde The Musical.

The revival was fairly faithful to the original 1982 production, although there were some changes. It used the expanded version of the title song heard in the 1986 film, expanded the song "Closed for Renovation" with a "WSKID" radio introduction while also revising the Act 1 Finale and adding an Entr'acte before "Call Back in the Morning. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) " The orchestrations were also beefed up to include reeds and horns, a noted change from the original's production 5-piece combo. In addition, the mechanics of stage puppetry had become more advanced to allow for a more "realistic" portrayal of Audrey II, which even extended into the audience during the show's finale to snap its hungry jaws at the audience. ^[9]

The cast album of the production was recorded by the original cast on September 15, 2003 and was released on October 21. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg. Four songs were deleted during the show's early development process: "A Little Dental Music", "The Worse He Treats Me", "We'll Have Tomorrow", and "I Found A Hobby". These songs were recorded as bonus material for the 2003 Broadway Original Cast Recording, but were not part of the actual production. A cast recording is a recording of a musical that is intended to document the songs as they were performed in the show and experienced by the audience ^[10][11]

The production closed on August 22, 2004 after 372 performances and 40 preview performances. Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The closing Broadway cast included Joey Fatone as Seymour and Jessica-Snow Wilson as Audrey. Joseph Anthony Fatone Jr (born January 28 1977) is an American Singer, Actor and Television personality ^[12]

U. S. national tour

On August 10, 2004, a US national tour of Little Shop of Horrors began just as the Broadway version was about to close in New York, with Anthony Rapp starring as Seymour. Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Anthony Dean Rapp (born October 26 1971) is an American stage and Film actor best known for originating the role of Mark Cohen ^[13] Audrey was Tari Kelly, and Mushnik was Lenny Wolpe. Lenny Wolpe is an American Musical theatre actor who has appeared in Broadway musicals including Wicked and The Drowsy Chaperone James Moye played Orin. The tour closed April 16, 2006 in Columbus, Ohio. Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Columbus is the Capital and the largest city of the US state of Ohio.

International productions

The musical has been produced professionally in many countries. In 1998 the Festspiele Balver Höhle and its artistic director Alfred Gaertner mounted a production starring Angelika Nützsche as Audrey and Thomas Haarmann as Seymour. Festspiele Balver Höhle is an arts festival featuring musical and theatrical performances in Balve, Germany. In Singapore, Dream Academy and Dim Sum Dollies produced the musical in November 2006 for a limited run at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, starring the Dim Sum Dollies - Selena Tan, Pam Oei and Emma Yong and Hossan Leong as Seymour. Singapore The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall ( Chinese: 维多利亚剧院及音乐会堂 is a complex of two buildings and a Clock tower joined together by a common Hossan Leong ( born July 10, 1969) is an international stage and screen actor from Singapore.

London revival

After not having been performed professionally in the city for twenty years, a new production began previews on November 17, 2006 at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Menier Chocolate Factory is an award-winning 190 seat fringe studio theatre restaurant and gallery This revival, directed by Matthew White, featured an all-new Audrey II design, likely based on the Pitcher plant. Pitcher plants are Carnivorous plants whose prey-trapping mechanism features a deep cavity filled with Liquid known as a pitfall trap. The production was a critical and commercial success, and transferred to the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End in March 2007. The Duke of York's Theatre is a West End Theatre in St Martin's Lane in the City of Westminster. West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London 's "Theatreland" At the end of June 2007, the show transferred to the Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End. The Ambassadors Theatre (formerly the New Ambassadors Theatre) is a West End theatre located in West Street, near Cambridge Circus on the Its run ended on September 8, 2007. The production will tour the UK in 2008. ^[14] Paul Keating played Seymour, and Sheridan Smith played Audrey. Sheridan Smith (born 25 June 1981 in Epworth, Lincolnshire) is an English Actress. Alistair McGowan was Orin, and Mike McShane voiced Audrey II. Alistair McGowan (born 24 November 1964 in Badsey, Worcestershire) is an English impressionist, Comedian and Actor. Michéal ("Mike" McShane (born June 25, 1955 in Boston MA, and raised in Roeland Park Kansas) is an American actor Smith and McGowan received 2008 Laurence Olivier Award nominations for their performances, and the production was nominated for Best Musical Revival. The Laurence Olivier Award is regarded as the most prestigious award in British theatre and is presented in recognition of artistic achievement in London theatre ^[15]

References

External links

• The page for the original production of Little Shop of Horrors in the Lortell Archives
• The page for the Broadway Revival of Little Shop of Horrors on the Internet Broadway Database
• The page for the film version of Little Shop of Horrors on IMDb
• MTI Shows plot and other information
• Little Shop Of Horrors Audition Advice & Show Information from MusicalTheatreAudition.com
• 2006 London Revival Official Site
• Dream Academy