Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Move over Godzilla, Audrey II is taking over St. Jacobs Country Playhouse! Little Shop of Horrors, the sci‐fi musical comedy about a down and out Skid Row florist who becomes an overnight sensation, runs for three weeks only from March 8th to March 26th.
One of the longest‐running off‐Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci‐fi movies has become a cult classic, thanks to the highly successful 1986 film starring comic legends Rick Moranis and Steve Martin. But it’s the score that really put this macabre musical on the map.
The book and lyrics are by song‐writing team Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who composed the now‐famous music for Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin – yet Little Shop of Horrors is widely considered to be their masterpiece. The captivating music, composed in the style of sixties doo‐wop and early Motown, has several show‐stoppers, including ʺSkid Row (Downtown),ʺ ʺSomewhere Thatʹs Green,ʺ and ʺSuddenly Seymour.ʺ Chock full of amazing harmonies, tongue‐in‐ cheek lyrics, and a bizarre yet uproarious story, Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the hearts of audiences worldwide for over 30 years.
“Don’t let the name fool you, Little Shop of Horrors is packed with energetic music, quirky characters and lots of laughs,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “Audiences will be screaming with laughter and singing all the way out of the theatre.”
Mushnik’s Skid Row Flower Shop is just as its name implies – a total dump. The owner’s nerdy assistant, Seymour Krelborn, is nothing more than a total failure as a florist and the scapegoat for lousy business. Completing this trio of hopeless slum residents is Audrey, a Marilyn Monroe‐esque leading lady, who is caught in a terrible relationship with an eccentric dentist. It seems that all would be kaput for these three, until Seymour reveals a strange and interesting new plant that he’s been trying to nurse to health. Things begin to look up when, after placing this plant in the window, business miraculously booms. Seymour is now under pressure to get the plant healthy – but what to feed it?
Mike Jackson, who helmed last season’s acclaimed production of Chicago, directs and choreographs. Jackson is joined by Music Director Michael Barber, Set Designer Samantha Burson Costume Designer Ivan Brozic, and Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser.
A terrific cast has been assembled for this fun‐filled production including Drayton Entertainment newcomer Ken James Stewart as Seymour Krelborn. Stewart has appeared in musicals all across Canada, most notably as Charlie Brown in Stratford Festival’s production of You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown in 2012.
Popular leading lady Jayme Armstrong steps into the high heels of Audrey – Seymour’s secret love, who works with him at Mushnik’s Flower Shop. Armstrong has appeared in numerous Drayton Entertainment productions, most recently Chicago, The Music Man, and White Christmas.
Former Canadian Tenor Jamie McKnight is sure to elicit laughs as Orin Scrivello, Audrey’s awful boyfriend who enjoys inflicting the pain of dental work a little too much. This role will be a marked change for McKnight, who has made a career of portraying heroes like Aladdin in Aladdin: The Panto and Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. No doubt he’ll bring his signature humour to this bad boy role.
Nicholas Rice is Seymour’s money‐hungry and manipulative boss Mr. Mushnik, the owner of the failing flower shop. Rice has appeared in countless productions across Canada as well as a number of major feature films including Lucky Number Slevin, Look Whoʹs Talking and The Scarlet Letter.
The charming musical is amplified by a trio of doo‐wop girls who narrate the story Dreamgirls‐style. Juno Award‐winning Canadian R&B and soul singer Divine Brown makes her Drayton Entertainment debut as Crystal along with Vanessa Cobham as Chiffon and Shahi Teruko as Ronnette. Brimming with musical prowess, these three powerhouse vocalists are sure to impress as they sing rich harmonies that rival the infamous Supremes.
Brown, who is affectionately branded as the Canadian Queen of R&B, is known for her radio hits ʺOld Skool Love,ʺ ʺLay It On the Lineʺ and ʺSunglassesʺ featuring fellow Canadian music star Nelly Furtado. In addition to her music career, Brown has previously appeared on stage in Life, Death and the Blues and Ainʹt Misbehavinʹ.
Cobham started her career as an NBA Raptors dancer and has gone on to appear in multiple theatre productions, commercials, TV shows and films including 17 Again, Blues Brothers 2000, The Pacifier, and Hairspray. Teruko is an award‐winning soul singer, songwriter, and recording artist. She has toured internationally as a solo artist and with the Broadway production of Hair.
And finally, the predatory plant Audrey II (named for Seymour’s crush) comes alive with the voice of actor Lee Siegel, whose robust tenor is a perfect fit for the show’s funky rhythm and blues music. Siegel appeared in last season’s hit Legends ... of Rock & Roll and as Javert in Les Misérables in 2013. Bringing Audrey II to life is a two‐person job. In addition to Siegel, actor Gregory Pember takes on the unique role of puppeteer, synchronizing the movements of the enormous plant with Siegel’s commanding voice. Pember also appears in various smaller roles throughout the production.
Little Shop of Horrors is proudly sponsored by Josslin Insurance and Anytime Fitness. Media Sponsors are 107.7 2Day FM and the Waterloo Chronicle. The Design Sponsor is Boston Pizza and RWAM Insurance Administrators Inc. The 2016 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
Regular performance tickets are $44.00 for adults; $26.00 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for preview performances scheduled before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $36.00. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Little Shop of Horrors runs March 8th to March 26th. Tickets may be purchased in person at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, online at www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com or by calling the Box Office at (519) 747‐7788 or toll free at 1‐855‐drayton (372‐9866).
2016-02-08
St. Jacobs: Drayton Entertainemnt presents "Little Shop of Horrors" March 8-26