Little Shop of Horrors, Slow Burn Theatre Company’s final production in the West Boca High Performing Arts Theatre before moving to their new home at the Broward Center, is a devilishly delicious mash up of sci-fi and Broadway, fertilizer and Faust, and of rock, doo-wop, and Motown. This ‘horror and rock-n-roll musical comedy’ has delighted audiences of all ages for over thirty years; and includes several well-known songs, including the title song, “Skid Row (Downtown)”, “Somewhere That’s Green”, and “Suddenly, Seymour”.
Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of Seymour Krelborn, who stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. 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, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
Based on Roger Corman’s low-budget 1960 ‘B’ movie The Little Shop of Horrors, the show’s music was composed by Alan Menken, with the book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. The musical premiered Off-Off-Broadway in 1982 before moving to the Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway, where it ran for five years.
Alan Menken is best known for his work on films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. His scores for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas have each won him two Academy Awards. He also composed the scores for The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Newsies, Home on the Range, Enchanted, Tangled, The Shaggy Dog, and Mirror Mirror. Howard Ashman collaborated with Menken on Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin.
Slow Burn Theatre Company is an award winning locally based professional theatre group providing South Florida’s diverse population with opportunities to experience high quality, daring, contemporary and intelligent works of musical theatre. Shows are selected that educate and provoke thought as well as entertain.
Little Shop of Horrors will run for 12 performances – from June 5th through June 28th at the West Boca Performing Arts Theater on the campus of West Boca Raton High School, 12811 Glades Road in Boca Raton, FL. Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets: $25-40. Tickets can be purchased at http://slowburntheatre.org ,or by calling 866-811-4111.
For those theatregoers who have grown accustomed to seeing professional theatrical productions at the West Boca Performing Arts Center—never fear, as it will be the new home of the Marquee Theatre Company, operated by co-founders Ben Solmor and Andrew Shultz. The Marquee will open their 2015-2016 season on September 25th with the musical Aida. For tickets and information, please go to marqueetheatercompany.com.
