Overview
Synopsis
Little Shop of Horrors is a delectable sci-fi horror musical with an electrifying 1960s pop/rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.
Seymour Krelborn is a meek and dejected assistant at a floral shop who happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names “Audrey II” after his crush at the shop. Little does he know that this strange and unusual plant will develop a soulful R&B voice, a potty mouth, and an unquenchable thirst for HUMAN BLOOD.
As Audrey II grows bigger and meaner, the carnivorous plant promises limitless fame and fortune to Seymour, as long as he continues providing a fresh supply of blood. Just when it’s too late, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s extra-terrestrial origins and his true drive for world-domination.
Show Information
- Music
- Alan Menken
- Lyrics
- Howard Ashman
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Little Shop of Horrors 1960 film
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1982
- Genres
- Comedy, Satire
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1960s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Early Teen, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Little Shop of Horrors opened on May 6, 1982, as a workshop production of the Players’ Art Theatre and on July 27, it opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre in New York’s East Village. Despite offers to open in a Broadway theatre, director Howard Ashman, who was also the librettist and lyricist, felt that the show was better suited to an off-Broadway venue. The show ran off-Broadway for 2,209 performances and closed on November 1, 1987. At the time of its closing, Little Shop of Horrors
to read the context for Little Shop of Horrors and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Prologue
An omnipotent voice describes a horrible threat to mankind that has appeared in the unlikeliest of places. Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon enter to warn the audience of the perils that await them at the local florist’s (“Little Shop of Horrors”).
Act One
The scene opens on Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists shop. At 10 a.m. sharp a crash is heard in the back room. Seymour attempts to assure Mushnik that he hasn’t broken anything. One hour later Audrey, Mushnik’s quirky blonde
to read the plot for Little Shop of Horrors and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Either or Both |
Silent |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either or Both |
|
Songs
Act One
- Prologue ("Little Shop of Horrors") – Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronette
- "Skid Row (Downtown)" – Company
- "Da-Doo" – Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronette (with Seymour speaking)
- "Grow for Me" – Seymour
- "Ya Never Know" – Mushnik, Chiffon, Crystal, Ronette, and Seymour
- "Somewhere That's Green" – Audrey
- "Closed for Renovation" – Seymour, Audrey, and Mushnik
- "Dentist!" – Orin, Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronette
- "Mushnik and Son" – Mushnik and Seymour
- "Sudden Changes" – Seymour
- "Feed Me (Git It)" – Audrey II and Seymour
- "Now (It's Just the Gas)" – Orin and Seymour
- Coda – Chiffon, Crystal, Ronette, and Audrey II
Act Two
- "Call Back in the Morning" – Seymour and Audrey
- "Suddenly, Seymour" – Seymour, Audrey, Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronette
- "Suppertime" – Audrey II (with Seymour and Mushnik speaking)
- "The Meek Shall Inherit" – Company
- "Sominex/Suppertime" (reprise) – Audrey and Audrey II
- "Somewhere That's Green" (reprise) – Audrey (with Seymour speaking)
- "Finale Ultimo ("Don't Feed the Plants") – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Based in Ancient theatre, a set of characters that work together as a single group, often commenting on the action of the play.
Refers to both the choice of words as well as clear enunciation in speaking and singing.
A style of R & B music that uses a simple beat, vocal harmonies, and little (or no) instrumentation.
A group of actors who sang, danced, and commented on the action in unison.
A style of R & B music named after the Motown record company, located in Detroit.
A genre of music that developed in African-American communities in the 1940s, inspired by jazz, and important in the foundations of rock and roll music.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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