THEATRE + COMEDY

Theatre Under The Stars presents Little Shop of Horrors, July 13-18 at Miller Outdoor Theatre.

A down-and out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon "Audrey II" grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!

Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of Seymour, a timid and nerdy sales clerk at the seedy Mushnik's Skid Row Florists, barely in business in lower Manhattan. He achieves fame and fortune after he discovers an exotic plant named Audrey II, a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.

A Greek chorus of hip soul singers narrates the thriller with a score in the 1960s style of rock and roll, doo-wop, and Motown. Audrey's appetite grows to gigantic proportions as the cast rapidly diminishes.

"This presentation of Little Shop will be different than versions you've seen in the past. Audrey II will take shape in a new way and there are a few unexpected twists I think the audience will love. It's a classic but this version will definitely be fresh. This mainly local cast for such a treasured crowd favorite has some of Houston's most established as well as emerging comedic singers....I'm looking forward to a wonderful time both backstage and in performance!" says Director, Roy Hamlin, who is joined by creative team member and long-time TUTS Choreographer, Shay Rodgers.

The role of Seymour is played by Sam Houston State University senior and Humphreys School of Musical Theatre alumni, Mark Ivy. Seymour's leading lady, Audrey, is played by Ivy Castle-Rush, who you may recognize from TUTS' most recent presentation of The Sound Of Music and Disney's When You Wish.

Native Houstonian Jimmy Phillips, last on stage with TUTS' in the 1981 production of The Music Man, plays Mushnik, the cantankerous florist. Performing the voice of Audrey II (the plant) is none other than Deborah Duncan, talented vocalist and host of KHOU-TV's Great Day Houston!

Other cast members include Ven Daniel as Orin, last on the TUTS' stage as the flirtatious UPS Man in Legally Blonde The Musical, and Marybelle Chaney as Chiffon. Chaney was recently in TUTS' presentations of The Sound Of Music and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Lindsey Gee, most recently seen in Miss Saigon, will perform as Ronnette and Trisha Jeffrey, formerly in Hair, will play the role of Crystal.

Rounding out the ensemble are Patrick Amos, Chris Canal, Lisa E. Harris, Carolyn Johnson, Sofia V. Mendez, Adam Pena, Corby Sullivan, and Erin Wasmund.

Local Humphreys School of Musical Theatre Students included in the ensemble include Alyssa Arizpe, Mallory Bechtel, Meredith Bechtel, Sam Burkett, Jack Delac, Rebecca Eckert, Gabby Gillespie, Raiya Goodman, Brooke Humphrey, Dylan Lambert, Libby Malone, Meredith Miller, Madeline Reid, Jacqueline Touchet, Sandy Valles, and Christian Warner,

One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who redefined the animated musical film with Disney's "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty And The Beast" and "Aladdin."

Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, "Little Shop Of Horrors" never fails to entertain. This show promises to be an audience favorite!

SPECIAL EVENT:  Before the July 17-18 performances of Little Shop of Horrors, Target will provide a free arts station where children can decorate their own canvas school bag. TUTS is one of 80 organizations nationwide partnering with Target for Arts and Wonder weekend, in hopes of making the arts more accessible for families.

Photos below courtesy of Theatre Under The Stars.