243 BOWERY STREET NEW YORK CITY, NY 10002:

Little Shop of Horrors

August 30 - October 6

24

September
Director/Choreographer
Music Director
Seymour Krelborn
Audrey
Audrey II, voice
Crystal
Ronnette
Chiffon
Orin and others
Mr. Mushnik
Audrey II, Puppeteer
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Sound Design
Lighting Design
Puppet Design
Production Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Props Artisan
Assistant Director

About

Music by Alan Menken
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Season sponsored by Richard & Sally Zeckhauser, Joe Richard & Rene Morrissette in Memory of Rose Rocco and Yves Morrissette, and   
Production sponsored by Tim & Linda Holiner
Director Rachel Bertone is sponsored by Physician Management Resources
Puppet Designer Cameron MacEachern sponsored by Paul & Liz Kastner

Summary

This award-winning sci-fi pulp musical about nebbishy Seymour who haplessly pines after his coworker Audrey. Suddenly, opportunity falls into his lap in the form of a mysterious, carnivorous, conniving – not to mention singing – plant that promises to fulfill Seymour’s every wish.
Show Trigger Warnings And A Full Synopsis Including Spoilers
Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, mention of self harm, drug abuse, murder, use of gun
Seymour and Audrey are co-workers at Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists, a run-down flower shop owned and operated by Mr. Mushnik. Seymour has recently obtained a mysterious plant that looks like a large venus flytrap. 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 and Seymour names it Audrey II because he is secretly in love with Audrey.
The plant appears to be dying and Seymour questions why it should be doing poorly, since he takes such good care of it. He accidentally pricks his finger on a rose thorn, which draws blood, and Audrey II’s pod opens. Seymour realizes that Audrey II requires blood to survive and allows the plant to suckle from his finger. As Audrey II grows, it becomes an attraction and starts generating business for Mushnik. Seymour is suddenly regarded as a hero while Audrey secretly longs to leave her abusive boyfriend, a dentist named Orin, and lead an ideal suburban life with Seymour.
Mushnik realizes that his store’s sudden profitability is completely dependent on the plant and takes advantage of Seymour by offering to adopt him and make him a full partner in the business and he accepts. Seymour stops feeding the plant and it demands it needs blood and promises that, if fed, it will make sure that all of Seymour’s dreams come true. Seymour initially refuses, but he then witnesses Orin abusing Audrey. The plant presents this as a justification for killing Orin and Seymour gives in and agrees.
He sets up a late-night appointment with Orin, intending to kill him but Orin, who is getting high on nitrous oxide, gets the gas device’s “on” button stuck, and he overdoses while asking Seymour to save him. Seymour lets him die of asphyxiation and he feeds Orin’s body to Audrey II.
Audrey confides to Seymour that she feels guilty about Orin’s disappearance, because she secretly wished it. The two admit their feelings for one another, and Seymour promises that he will protect and care for Audrey from now on.
Mushnik confronts Seymour about Orin’s death and Seymour denies killing him. Audrey II tells Seymour that he has to be rid of Mushnik or he will lose everything, including Audrey so Seymour tells Mushnik that he put the days’ receipts inside Audrey II for safekeeping so he climbs inside the plant to search for the money and is devoured. Seymour runs from the flower shop and considers destroying the plant but believing that his fame is the only thing that is earning him Audrey’s love, he doesn’t.
Audrey II continues to beg for blood and Seymour threatens to kill it just as Audrey walks in asking when Mushnik will return from visiting his “sick sister”. Seymour learns that Audrey would still love him without the fame and decides that Audrey II must die.. Audrey is confused and frightened by Seymour’s ramblings, but she runs home by his order. That night, unable to sleep, Audrey goes to the flower shop to talk with him. He is not there, and Audrey II begs her to water it. Audrey II wraps its vines around her and Seymour arrives and attacks the plant and gets Audrey out, but she is mortally wounded. Her dying wish is for Seymour 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. Seymour falls asleep as Audrey II grows small red flower buds.
The next day, World Botanical Enterprises tells Seymour that the company wishes to take leaf cuttings of Audrey II. He tries shooting, cutting, and poisoning the plant, but it has grown too hardy to kill. Seymour, in desperation, runs into its open jaws with a machete planning to kill it from the inside, but he is quickly eaten. They search to find Seymour but eventually take the cuttings.
Other plants appeared across America, tricking innocent people into feeding them blood in exchange for fame and fortune and everyone begs to not feed the plants.

“A show for horticulturists, horror-cultists, sci-fi fans, and anyone with a taste for the outrageous.” – NY Times

  This production uses theatrical haze.

Highlights

Revivals of Little Shop of Horrors Open Across America | Theater Mania

"While the dueling bicoastal productions of Little Shop both begin performances on September 17, Boston’s Lyric Stage Company will have its production up and running on August 30. Rachel Bertone directs this limited run, which ends October 6. The promotional images suggest a fun (if traditional) take on the show."

Lyric Stage’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is a garden of grisly delights | The Boston Globe

"But you needn’t feel any need to rush down to New York, not when Bertone has brought “Little Shop’’ to life in all its deranged glory. The director, whose track record when it comes to staging vibrant musicals grows more impressive each season, draws on the talents of a crackerjack design team that includes Janie E. Howland."

Lyric’s “Little Shop”: It Grows on You | South Shore Critic

"As one character puts it earlier in the show, “you’re not in Kansas anymore”. She is, after all, an omnivore, devouring actors, audiences, theater critics….and even on one’s fifth viewing, it grows on you. (In fact this may well be the best version yet seen). It’s a stupendous start for Lyric Stage’s season."
Read Full Press & Reviews Below

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Testimonials

“

It was a wonderful experience for my two grandsons. I enjoyed it immensely.

Lyric Stage Patron
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Press & Reviews

A Fun Romp with an Appetite for Blood | ArtsFuse

“Kudos to Marion Bertone for her splendid costumes throughout, especially for the girl group singers who one moment appear as guttersnipes crouching in the grit of Skid Row, the next as singers who wow us with smashing matching outfits… Put together the power of their harmonies with the eye-filling costumes and you have delightfully garish vocal eye candy.”

 

Little Shop of Horrors | Edge Media Network

Thankfully, there are plenty of other reasons to head to the Lyric Stage where this Howard Ashman-Alan Menken musical is getting a letter-perfect production under the sure hand of Rachel Bertone.

Review: Little Shop of Horrors | Theater Talk Boston

Janie E. Howland has once again designed a stunning set for the Lyric that takes your breath away. Given the intimate layout of the theatre, every seat feels like the audience is in the shop as this plant comes alive. I also must commend Cameron McEachern for exquisite puppet design.

Darkly Comic ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Rocks the Lyric Stage | The Theater Mirror

Director Bertone does a marvelous job with the choreography in the Lyric’s intimate space, and the klezmer/tango duet, “Mushnik & Son” between Seymour and Mushnik is a howl. But it’s the way that she allows her actors to find subtle comic touches in the work that really elevates this outstanding production.

Arts in the Fall: Offerings abound in Greater Boston arts scene | The Bay State Banner

Opening Aug. 30 is the Lyric Stage Company’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” directed and choreographed by Rachel Bertone. This award-winning sci-fi pulp musical follows Seymour, who haplessly pines after Audrey, his coworker. Suddenly, opportunity falls into his lap in the form of a mysterious, carnivorous, conniving — not to mention singing — plant that promises to fulfill Seymour’s every wish.

The curtain rises on a fall season with plenty to offer | The Boston Globe

“There’s a little bit of monster in all of us,” Yewande Odetoyinbo says with a laugh as she prepares to play the carnivorous plant Audrey II in the Lyric Stage Company’s “Little Shop of Horrors.”

 

Little Shop of Horrors at Lyric Stage | Berkshire Fine Arts

“This is a funny, heavy, campy, dark and joyful show with a lot of heart,” [Prior] assures. “I want people to walk away having escaped into our fantasy…forgetting their own woes. On top of that I want people to hum the music while they ponder perils presented and steer clear of Seymour’s pitfalls.”

Arts This Week: The Danforth Art Museum, ‘SIX,’ And ‘Little Shop Of Horrors’ | WGBH News

But this plant craves not raindrops, or sunlight, but blood. With timeless songs and impressive puppetry designed by Cameron McEachern, this new production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is a delightfully dark cautionary tale. “The Lyric plants us in an enjoyable patch,” says Jared, “with a surprisingly sinister look at the dangerous tendrils of fame and fortune.”

Lyric’s ‘Little Shop’ Puts Its Best Tendril Forward | On Boston Stages

“Little Shop of Horrors” remains a first-rate, horrifically funny musical tragi-comedy, putting its best tendril forward in its current production at the Lyric.

This ‘Little Shop’ Blooms with Wit and Vitality | Boston Theatre Wings

Lyric Stage Company’s aromatic revival of “Little Shop of Horrors” is a vivid bouquet with pleasures for everyone.

Little Shop of Horrors: This Plant’s No Shrinking Violent | Broadway World

Undaunted by that long history, Bertone and company have found a way to put their singular imprint on the musical. If they can figure out a way to convert applause and enthusiastic audiences into plant food, Audrey II and this Little Shop might keep on going.

Little Shop of Horrors | Tony’s Corner

Director Rachel Bertone who is also the choreographer and musical director Dan Rodriguez lead this marvelously talented cast as they act, sing and dance their way into the hearts of a very appreciative audience on a fun-filled journey to Skid Row in NYC. A resounding standing ovation is their reward on a job extremely well done.

Through OCT. 5: Little Shop of Horrors | Susan Mulford

Best production of this delightfully fun show that I have experienced in my 33 year reviewing career!

With a double dose of vintage flair, Lyric Stage’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ will make audiences thirsty for more | The Sleepless Critic

However, the real spectacle is  Audrey II, the sly, soulful plant that changes everything.  With versatile and grimly wise vocals by Yewande Odetoyinbo, inventively manipulated by Tim Hoover, and skillfully designed by Cameron McEachern… Audrey II is handled is such an innovative, natural, and majestic way, the results are truly mesmerizing.

Ticket Prices

Day Center Section Side Section
Wed Mat $57 $40
Wed/Thur/Fri $73 $53
Sat/Sun $79 $59

 

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