One of theatre’s strangest, funniest and most beloved musical comedies, Little Shop of Horrors, brings its sci-fi charm and blood-lusting plant from outer space to the Pentacle Theatre stage Nov. 9 – Dec. 1.
Mixing weird happenings and unrequited love set in a run-down florist shop, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin are the creative geniuses behind Little Shop of Horrors. They based their endearing and enduring hit musical on Roger Corman’s original 1960 cult black comedy film.
After a strange and unexpected solar eclipse, nerdy floral assistant Seymour Krelborn discovers a strange and unknown plant in the shop window. He names it Audrey II, after his coworker crush. Problem is, Audrey II quickly grows from a small potted cutie into a demanding, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore that promises the long-suffering Krelborn unending fame and fortune as long as he keeps feeding it blood.
Ashman’s book and lyrics and Menken’s music twist Corman’s original schlock sci-fi flick into a delightful romp as the audience cheers Seymore on in his pursuit of love and fame.
Directed by Robert Salberg, Little Shop of Horrors features a cast of nine, lively rock music and a huge carnivorous plant that devours characters whole.
The cast of Little Shop of Horrors includes
- Doo-Wop Girls: Claire Snyder, Ashley Dankenbring, Emma Thurston.
- Mushnik: Walter Haight.
- Audrey: Kirsten DuBrowa Manning.
- Seymour: Jeff Witt.
- The Dentist, and others: Taylor Husk.
- The Voice of Audrey II: Dawneka Patterson.
- The Puppeteer: Myles Fisher.
IF YOU GO
What: Little Shop of Horrors — book and lyrics by Alan Menken and music by Howard Ashman. Winner of the Drama Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for best musical.
When: Nov. 9 – Dec. 1
Special performance: Pentacle Theatre has added a matinee performance of Little Shop of Horrors at 2 p.m. Dec. 1 to benefit the theatre’s educational fund. Pentacle’s educational fund is used for scholarships awarded annually to high school seniors pursuing theater or theater-related fields of study. All proceeds from this performance will benefit the scholarship fund.
Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave. NW, off Highway 22, about 6 miles west of downtown Salem, Oregon.
Sponsored by: Little Shop of Horrors is generously sponsored by Erik & Laura Davis.
Tickets: Tickets range in price from $29-34.
- $34 for opening night, which includes a catered post-show party.
- $30 for Friday and Saturday evening performances.
- $32 for Sunday matinee performances.
- $29 for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening performances.
- Seniors, students and military are eligible for a $1.50 discount per ticket.
- Through Salem for All, Oregon Trail cardholders are eligible for a 50 percent discount per ticket.
Where to buy: Advance tickets are available at Pentacle’s downtown Salem ticket office at 145 Liberty St. NE or by calling 503-485-4300 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, or online anytime at pentacletheatre.org. Tickets are also available at the theater box office 45 minutes before each performance.
Tickets for low-income persons: In partnership with Salem for All, Pentacle Theatre offers half-price tickets to Oregon Trail Card holders. For information, go to salemforall.org.
SUITABILITY
Little Shop of Horrors is suitable for high school age and older audiences. This comedic “kitschy horror” show is a rollicking good time filled with a murderous plant, questionable dental techniques and a bit of dismemberment thrown in for good measure.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: PentacleTheatre.org or call 503-485-4300.
