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.S. National Tour 2006 Singapore 2006 West End
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. The musical was based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy The Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Roger Corman. 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. Image File history File links This album cover was downloaded from the following link: http://www. ... Alan Menken (born July 22, 1949) is an American Broadway and Academy Award winning film score composer. ... 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 appellation as inaccurate), is a prolific American producer and director of low-budget exploitation movies, many of which are some of the most influential movies made. ... This article is about 1960 Roger Corman film. ... 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 in smaller theatres than Broadway, but larger than Off-Off-Broadway, productions. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Little Shop of Horrors is the 1986 film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre... The New York Drama Critics Circle is comprised of nineteen drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines, and wire services based in the New York City metropolitan area. ... Begun during the 1949-1950 theater season, the Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway. ... The Evening Standard Awards are presented annually for oustanding achievements in London Theatre. ... Little Shop of Horrors is a title that can mean: The Little Shop of Horrors, the 1960 Roger Corman cult classic. ... The Black Crook (1866), considered by some historians to be the first musical[1] Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining music, songs, spoken dialogue and dance. ... Alan Menken (born July 22, 1949) is an American Broadway and Academy Award winning film score composer. ... Howard Ashman ( May 17, 1950 - March 14, 1991) was an American playwright and movie music lyricist. ... This article is about a tone of comedy. ... This article is about 1960 Roger Corman film. ... Roger William Corman (born April 5, 1926), sometimes nicknamed King of the Bs for his output of B-movies (though he himself rejects this appellation as inaccurate), is a prolific American producer and director of low-budget exploitation movies, many of which are some of the most influential movies made. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... Doo-wop is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music popular in the mid-1950s to the early 1960s in America. ... Motown Records, also known as Tamla-Motown outside of the United States, is a record label originally based out of Detroit, Michigan (Motor City, hence mo(tor)town), from where it achieved widespread international success. ...

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. Because of its small cast and relatively simple orchestrations, it has become popular with community theatre and high school groups. The musical was also made into a film in 1986, directed by Frank Oz. Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City in smaller theatres than Broadway, but larger than Off-Off-Broadway, productions. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... For other uses, see Buenos Aires (disambiguation). ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... For other uses, see Vienna (disambiguation). ... This article is about the city. ... For other uses, see Copenhagen (disambiguation). ... Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe Coordinates: , Country Province Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki Charter 1550 Capital city 1812 Government  - Mayor Jussi Pajunen Area  - Total 187. ... This article is about the capital of France. ... This article is about the capital of Germany. ... This article is about the capital of Greece. ... For other uses, see Budapest (disambiguation). ... Location in Iceland Coordinates: , Constituency Government  - Mayor (Borgarstjóri) Dagur B. Eggertsson Area  - City 274. ... For other uses, see Jerusalem (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... Location within Switzerland   Zürich[?] (German pronunciation IPA: ; usually spelled Zurich in English) is the largest city in Switzerland (population: 366,145 in 2004; population of urban area: 1,091,732) and capital of the canton of Zürich. ... This article is about the capital of Greece. ... Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Barcelona (Catalan) Spanish name Barcelona Nickname Ciutat Comtal (City of Counts) Postal code 08001–08080 Area code 34 (Spain) + 93 (Barcelona) Website http://www. ... Cologne (German: , IPA: ; local dialect: Kölle ) is Germanys fourth-largest city after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, and is the largest city both in the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than... Nickname: Location of Mexico City Coordinates: , Country Federal entity Boroughs The 16 delegaciones Founded c. ... For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ... This article is about the capital of Norway. ... National motto: Majulah Singapura (English: Onward, Singapore) National anthem: Majulah Singapura Capital Singapore1 Largest city Singapore1 Official languages English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Tamil Government President Prime minister Westminster system (de jure) Dominant-party system (de facto) Sellapan Rama Nathan Lee Hsien Loong Independence - From Malaysia August 9, 1965 Area  - Total... This article is about the city in South Africa. ... This article is about the Spanish capital. ... For other uses, see Stockholm (disambiguation). ... Nickname: Location of Akureyri in Iceland Coordinates: , Constituency Northeast Area  - City 125 km²  (48. ... For other uses, see Vaasa (disambiguation). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see High school (disambiguation). ... Little Shop of Horrors is the 1986 film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. ... Frank Oz (born May 25, 1944) is an 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"). These three girls comment on the action throughout the show. Seymour Krelborn is a poor young man, an orphan living in urban skid row. 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. A girl group is the equivalent of a boy band, but, as the name implies, featuring a group of female rather than male singers. ... The term skid row or skid road is used to refer to a run-down or dilapidated urban area. ...

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. 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"). For other uses, see Nitrous oxide (disambiguation). ...

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 and meat. Seymour threatens to kill it just as Audrey walks in. Seymour learns that Audrey would still love him without the fame. He 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 ("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. A cover of Life Magazine from 1911 Life has been the name of two notable magazines published in the United States. ...

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. He tries shooting, cutting and poisoning the plant, but its hide is too tough. He then runs into its open jaws with a machete planning to kill it from the inside. Seymour is quickly eaten, and only the machete 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. Photo taken during the 1999 eclipse. ... modern factory-made Machete For other uses, see Machete (disambiguation). ...

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 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 threatens the audience.*

• 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 the Broadway production, a monstrously huge Audrey projected out over the audience, as if it would eat the audience members.

Original production

The musical had its world premiere on May 6, 1982 at the WPA Theatre. It opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre on July 27, 1982. 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.^[1] 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. Musical theater (or theatre) is a form of theatre combining music, songs, dance, and spoken dialogue. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... WPA Graphic The Works Progress Administration (later Work Projects Administration, abbreviated WPA), was created on May 6, 1935 by Presidential order (Congress funded it annually but did not set it up). ... Off-Broadway plays or musicals are performed in New York City in smaller theatres than Broadway, but larger than Off-Off-Broadway, productions. ... Orpheum can mean: The Orpheum theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia The Orpheum theatre in Memphis, Tennessee The Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Sydney, Austrailia Orpheum Computing Solutions Many other theatres are named Orpheum. ... is the 208th day of the year (209th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... The New York Drama Critics Circle is comprised of nineteen drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines, and wire services based in the New York City metropolitan area. ... Created in 1955, the Drama Desk Award was created to recognize Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway shows in addition to Broadway shows. ... Begun during the 1949-1950 theater season, the Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway. ...

Though a Broadway transfer had been proposed for the original Off-Broadway production, book writer Howard Ashman felt the show belonged where it was.^[2] 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). ... What is popularly called the Tony Award® but is formally the Antoinette Perry Award is an annual American award celebrating achievements in theater, including musical theater. ...

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 is an African-American actress born in Oahu, Hawaii. ...

Characters and original cast

• Seymour Krelborn - Lee Wilkof
• Audrey - Ellen Greene
• Mr. 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

Ellen Greene (b. ... Hy Anzell (b. ... Leilani Jones is a beauty queen from Washington who will compete in the Miss USA pageant in 2007. ... Ronald James Taylor (October 16, 1952 Galveston, Texas–January 16, 2002) was an American actor. ... Martin P. Robinson was a puppeteer for the Jim Henson Company. ...

Musical numbers

Film

Main article: Little Shop of Horrors (film)

A film version of the musical was made in 1986. 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. Little Shop of Horrors is the 1986 film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. ... Little Shop of Horrors is the 1986 film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical comedy of the same name by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. ... Frank Oz (born May 25, 1944) is an 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 Canadian actor, comedian and musician best known for his comedy work on SCTV and appeared in several Hollywood films including Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Spaceballs, and My Blue Heaven. ... Ellen Greene (b. ... Levi Stubbs (born Levi Stubbles, June 6, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan) is famous as the lead singer from Motown band The Four Tops. ...

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. However, the tape was never broadcast. Victor/Victoria is a 1982 musical comedy film. ... 42nd Street was a hugely successful Broadway stage musical, loosely based on the movie of the same name. ... Pacific Overtures was an ambitious 1976 musical by Stephen Sondheim, with a libretto by John Weidman, and additional material by Hugh Wheeler, set in 1853 Japan. ...

Differences between the film and stage versions

This section does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008) Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Although the basic concept of the movie, musical and musical movie are the same, the details vary between versions. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ...

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. Seymour's hypochondriac Jewish mother is omitted and Seymour becomes an orphan. 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). The term skid row or skid road is used to refer to a run-down or dilapidated urban area. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... This article is about the state. ... Hypochondria (sometimes hypochondriasis) is the unfounded belief that one is suffering from a serious illness. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ... William James Bill Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an Academy Award-nominated, Emmy-, Golden Globe-, and BAFTA-winning American comedian and actor. ...

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. 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. For other uses, see Steve Martin (disambiguation). ... Nitrous oxide, also known as dinitrogen oxide or dinitrogen monoxide, is a chemical compound with chemical formula N2O. Under room conditions it is a colourless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant slightly sweet odor. ...

The musical introduces three new characters: a chorus of female street urchins named Crystal, Chiffon and Ronnette after famous 1960s girl groups. 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. 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. The Crystals were one of the most successful girl groups of the 1960s. ... The Chiffons was an all girl group originating from the Bronx area of New York in 1960. ... Ronettess Album The Ronettes were an American girl group of the 1960s, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. ... The Supremes A Go-Go (1966) was the first album by a female group to reach the top position of the Billboard magazine pop albums chart in the United States. ... Species See text The genus Pinguicula, or butterworts, is a group of 79 carnivorous plants in the family Lentibulariaceae. ... For other uses, see Venus Flytrap (disambiguation). ... Layers of Atmosphere - not to scale (NOAA)[1] Outer space, sometimes simply called space, refers to the relatively empty regions of the universe outside the atmospheres of celestial bodies. ... Alexander the Great Philip II of Spain Napoleon Bonaparte For other uses, see World domination (disambiguation). ... A puppet is any controlled character, whether formed by a shadow, strings, by the use of a glove, by direct mechanical contrivance (for example a cable-controlled figure for film or TV) or electronic guidance (such as a radio or infrared remote controller). ...

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. 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. 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.^[2] 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. Alice Ripley joined the cast as Audrey, and the prologue was recited by Robert Stack.^[3] Nickname: Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida Coordinates: , Country State County Miami-Dade Government  - Mayor Don Slesnick Area  - City 96. ... Alice Ripley (born December 14, 1963) is an American actress and singer. ... Hunter Foster (b. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... Nickname: Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida Coordinates: , Country State County Miami-Dade Government  - Mayor Don Slesnick Area  - City 96. ... is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Howard Ashman ( May 17, 1950 - March 14, 1991) was an American playwright and movie music lyricist. ... Sesame Street is an American educational childrens television series for preschoolers and is a pioneer of the contemporary educational television standard, combining both education and entertainment. ... Jim Hensen Company in Los Angeles The Jim Henson Company is an American company founded in 1958 by puppeteer Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. ... High tech refers to high technology, technology that is at the cutting-edge and the most advanced currently available. ... Alice Ripley (born December 14, 1963) is an American actress and singer. ... Robert Langford Modini Stack (January 13, 1919 – May 14, 2003) was an American stage and movie actor. ...

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."^[4]

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."^[5] Hours after the announcement was made, the producers had the Virginia Theatre marquee painted over with black paint. 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. New casting began on June 3 and the producers held the lease on the theatre for September previews. is the 153rd day of the year (154th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... Address: 245 W. 52nd St. ... Jerry Zaks is a director and actor born in Stuttgart, Germany on 7 September, 1946. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The musical finally made its Broadway debut at the Virginia Theatre on October 2, 2003 with the following cast:^[6][7] 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. Hunter Foster (Seymour) was nominated for a 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance. The Broadway cast included Hunter Foster as Seymour, Kerry Butler as Audrey, Rob Bartlett as Mr. Mushnik, Douglas Sills as Orin and the other minor male characters, and DeQuina Moore as Chiffon. For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... Address: 245 W. 52nd St. ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 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. ... What is popularly called the Tony Award® but is formally the Antoinette Perry Award is an annual American award celebrating achievements in theater, including musical theater. ... Hunter Foster (b. ... The Tony Award for Best 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. ... Hunter Foster (b. ... Kerry Butler (born June 18, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actress. ... Image:Web Pic Collection 340. ... Douglas Sills (born July 5, 1960) is an American actor. ...

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." The orchestrations were also beefed up to include reeds and horns, a noted change from the original's production 4-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. ^[8] Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ...

The cast album of the production was recorded by the original cast on September 15, 2003 and was released on October 21. 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.^[9][10] is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 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. ...

The production closed on August 22, 2004 after 372 performances and 40 preview performances. The closing Broadway cast included Joey Fatone as Seymour and Jessica-Snow Wilson as Audrey.^[11] is the 234th day of the year (235th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Joseph Anthony Fatone, Jr. ...

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.^[12] In December of 2004, Rapp left the national tour to film the movie version of Rent and was replaced by Jonathan Rayson. Marc Petrosino joined as an additional puppeteer for Audrey II. is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... Anthony Dean Rapp (b. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the 2005 film. ...

Paul McGinnis, one of Audrey II's puppeteers, left the tour in July 2005 to work on It's A Big Big World. Anthony Rapp's replacement, Jonathan Rayson, left the tour in November 2005, as did the tour's original Audrey, Tari Kelly, and its original Mushnik, Lenny Wolpe (who can currently be seen on Broadway in Wicked). James Moye, the tour's original Orin, left the tour Christmas 2005. The tour closed April 16, 2006 in Columbus, Ohio. Its A Big Big World is a childrens television show on PBS Kids, that debuted January 2, 2006, and is part of Miss Lori and Hoopers schedule block. ... Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a libretto by Winnie Holzman. ... is the 106th day of the year (107th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Ohio, USA Coordinates: , Country State Counties Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware Government  - Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D) Area  - City 212. ...

Singapore production

In Singapore, Little Shop of Horrors, produced by Dream Academy and Dim Sum Dollies, previewed on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th of November 2006 and opened 5th November 2006 for a limited time only at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. It stars the Dim Sum Dollies - Selena Tan, Pam Oei and Emma Yong as the story-tellers and Hossan Leong as Seymour. Little Shop of Horrors is a title that can mean: The Little Shop of Horrors, the 1960 Roger Corman cult classic. ... Exterior of Victoria Theatre 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 corridor and located in the civic district of Singapore. ... Hossan Leong Toh Jing (born 10 July 1969), is a Singaporean stage and screen actor. ...

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. This revival, directed by Matthew White, featured an all-new Audrey II design, likely based on the Pitcher plant. 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. At the end of June 2007, the show transferred to the Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End. Its run ended on September 8, 2007. The production will tour the UK in 2008.^[13] Paul Keating played Seymour, and Sheridan Smith played Audrey. Alistair McGowan was Orin, and Mike McShane voiced Audrey II. Smith and McGowan received 2008 Laurence Olivier Award nominations for their performances, and the production was nominated for Best Musical Revival.^[14] 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... // 51/53 Southwark Street London SE1 1RU A former chocolate factory located in London that has been converted into a leading arts complex which includes a gallery, restaurant, theatre and rehearsal space. ... Pitcher of Nepenthes distillatoria. ... The Duke of Yorks Theatre in London, UK, opened on 10 September 1892 with Wedding Eve, was built for Frank Wyatt and his wife, Violet Melnotte. ... West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre... The Ambassadors Theatre in April 2007 The Ambassadors Theatre (formerly the New Ambassadors Theatre), is a West End theatre located in West Street, near Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster. ... Sheridan Smith (born 25 June 1981) is a British actress. ... Alistair McGowan (born November 24, 1964) is a British impressionist and actor. ... Michéal (Mike) McShane (born December 10, 1957 in East Boston, Massachusetts) is an American actor and improvisational comedian who first became known to American audiences through his appearances on the British version of the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? McShane has performed on stage, on television, and... The Laurence Olivier Awards, previously known as The Society of West End Theatre Awards, were renamed in honour of British actor Laurence Olivier, Baron Olivier in 1984, having first been established in 1976. ...

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