Reading Community Players upcoming Little Shop of Horrors is a comedy horror rock musical, by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh.
The musical is based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy film The Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Roger Corman.
The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, includes several well-known tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour".
A trio of 1960s street urchins named Crystal (Lynelle Renee Heimbach), Ronette (Veronica Johnston) and Chiffon (Katie Rose Spencer) set the scenes and comment on the action throughout the show.
Seymour Krelborn (Landon Scott Heimbach) is a poor young orphan living in an urban skid row.
Audrey (Regina M. Ey) is a pretty blonde with a fashion sense that leans toward the tacky. They are co-workers at Mushniks Skid Row Florists, a run-down flower shop owned and operated by the cranky Mr. Mushnik (Patrick Malarkey).
Seymour has recently obtained a mysterious plant that looks like a large venus fly trap. 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.
Seymour is secretly in love with Audrey and names the plant Audrey II (voice: James Barksdale, manipulation: Craig Auman & Shane Silas) in her honor.
Orin Scrivrllo (Sean Hafer), a sadistic dentist, is Aureys abusive boyfriend.
The plant does not thrive in its new environment and appears to be dying. Seymour accidentally pricks his finger on a rose, which draws blood, and Audrey IIs pod opens thirstily.
Will the plant survive and thrive on its new bloody diet' Will Seymour and Audrey finally get together' Come to the show and find out!
The ensemble actors are Julia Minotto, Heather Troxell, Laura Stewart, Debbi Silas, Gregory Boyer and Adam Shoffner.
Little Shop of Horrors is directed by Landon Scott Heimbach and Debbi Silas. Tickets are $20.
Dates are October 18, 19 & 25, 26 at 8PM; October 20 & 27 at 3PM.
Tickets are available on the website: www.readingcommunityplayers.com or reservations can be made by calling (610) 375-9106.
Reading Community Players theatre is located at 403 N. 11th St, near Buttonwood.