Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors opens at the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre on Friday, October 23, and runs through November 7. It's a co-production with Arizona Theatre Company and a highlight of Pioneer Theatre Company's 65th season.

The story follows Seymour Krelborn, a timid flower shop clerk who discovers a carnivorous plant he names Audrey II after his coworker's crush. Audrey II is a foul-mouthed, R&B-singing man-eater that promises fame and fortune in exchange for blood. The show is loosely based on Roger Corman's low-budget 1960 black comedy The Little Shop of Horrors, which starred Jack Nicholson and featured a screenplay by Charles Griffith.

Howard Ashman wrote the book and lyrics, and Alan Menken composed the score. The two later wrote Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. Menken has won eight Oscars and 11 Grammys; Ashman, a founder of off-off-Broadway's WPA Theater, died in 1991 of AIDS-related complications. This production is directed and choreographed by Gerry McIntyre.

Andrew Faria plays Seymour Krelborn, with Alanna Saunders as Audrey. Tyler Symone, Maya J. Christian, and Lauren Wilmore take on the roles of Ronnette, Chiffon, and Crystal. Brandon Espinoza is Orin Scrivello, David Benoit is Mr. Mushnik, and the plant, Audrey II, is handled by Joe Gallina on the puppet and Nicholas Ward on the voice. The show is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Performances run Monday through Thursday at 7 PM, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM, and Saturday matinees at 2 PM. Curtain Call for All name-your-own-price tickets start at $15 and are available for every performance.