The Off-Broadway revival of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s Little Shop of Horrors, which plays the Westside Theatre, will celebrate the musical's 40th anniversary with a host of events, including a May 6 block party in front of the Westside on West 43rd Street beginning at 10 PM ET.
The celebration of the musical, which originally opened at the Orpheum May 20, 1982, begins April 28 with the Oculus at the World Trade Center lighting up green, followed by a 1:30 PM performance and Q&A with the cast of the musical at the Cloud Seating area, located near the Westfield Concierge Desk. Taking part are Josh Daniel, Chelsea Turbin, Jana Jackson, Khadija Sankoh, and Cristina Raé.
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Following the 2 PM matinee May 1 and the 8 PM May 4 performances, local-area schools who mounted Little Shop productions this spring will perform “Skid Row” at the Westside. Sleepy Hollow High School performs May 1 and Ossining High School May 4, with additional schools to be announced.
On May 6 NPR will release a Little Shop NPR Tiny Desk Concert featuring performances from Alan Menken, Tammy Blanchard, Conrad Ricamora, Christian Borle, Aaron Arnell Harrington, Stuart Zagnit, Cristina Raé, Khadija Sankoh, and band members Will Van Dyke, Nate Brown, Dena Tauriello, and Mark Verdino.
The aforementioned free block party, which will continue until 11:30 PM May 6, will feature food from Schmackary’s, West End Bar & Grill, Bird and Branch, and Bea’s and tunes spun by “S.N.O.B,” hosted by DJ Duggz, DJ Ari Grooves (Lortel-nominated Little Shop alum), and Emily McGill.
Additionally, several flower shops around the city will be selling limited edition Little Shop bouquets through May 6. Participating shops include Barbara’s Flowers, Starbright Floral, Hibiscus Flower Shop, Eleanor’s Florist, and Brooklyn Blooms Floral boutique.
The current cast includes Conrad Ricamora as Seymour, Tony winner Christian Borle as Orin Scrivello, D.D.S., Tammy Blanchard as Audrey, Aaron Arnell Harrington as The Voice of Audrey II, Stuart Zagnit as Mushnik, Tatiana Lofton as Ronnette, Cristina Raé as Crystal, and Khadija Sankoh as Chiffon with Eric Wright, Teddy Yudain, Stephen Berger, Josh Daniel, Jana Djenne Jackson, and Chelsea Turbin. Beginning May 17, Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect, Spring Awakening) will take over the role of Seymour.
The Off-Broadway revival resumed its run September 21, 2021, after temporarily closing in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
The revival, directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer, opened in October 2019. The creative team for the Ashman-Menken musical also includes choreographer Ellenore Scott, scenic designer Julian Crouch, lighting designer Bradley King, costume designer Tom Broecker, sound designer Jessica Paz, puppet designer Nicholas Mahon, original puppet designer Martin P. Robinson, hair and makeup designer Tommy Kurzman, music supervisor, orchestrator, and arranger Will Van Dyke, and casting director Jim Carnahan. Puppets are by Monkey Boys Productions.
General management is by Live Wire Theatrical/Chris Aniello, and production stage management is by Howard Tilkin. Tom Kirdahy, Robert Ahrens, and Hunter Arnold produce the revival.
Little Shop of Horrors is based on the 1960 cult movie of the same name. The musical version debuted Off-Broadway at WPA Theatre in 1982 (subsequently transferring to the Orpheum) starring Lee Wilkoff and Ellen Greene in a role that would become her signature. A Broadway production was mounted in 2003 co-starring Hunter Foster and Kerry Butler.
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