Musical Man-Eating Plant for Shire

Set in downtown Skid Row, Little Shop of Horrors is a quirky, fun, fast-paced black comedy musical with a terrific Alan Menken score; “Somewhere That’s Green”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Skid Row”, “Da Doo”, “The Meek Shall Inherit” and “Suddenly Seymour”. Little Shop became infamous after the release of the 1986 film directed by Frank Oz starring Rick Moranis (Seymour), Ellen Greene (Audrey) and Steve Martin (The Dentist, Orin). Seymour, a down and out florist assistant comes across a strange and interesting new (and very hungry) plant that changes his luck at an awful price…

Director, Kenney Ogilvie, proposed the piece; “to pay homage to the Frank Oz film and really focus in on the depressingly honest and wickedly funny Ashman script. These characters- larger than life are a joy to watch because they represent the everyday audience member. They are up there on stage representing you in extraordinary circumstances. You love them because you love yourself and really, who hasn't dreamed of things out of reach?We also have a cast who can deliver not only with music but with character and comedy and tragedy and all the greyness in-between.” Completing the team is Musical Director, Peter Sampson and Choreographer, Sam Larielle.

“We have an electric production ahead of us and I can't wait to see what our tremendously talented team produces. Can you? No. The answer is no. You. Can't. Wait.” says Ogilvie.

The Shire cast includes: Seymour, Chae Rogan (fresh from the role of Edna Turnblad in the NSW Amateur Premiere of Hairspray); Audrey:, Bridget Keating; Mr Mushnik, Lloyd McDonald; The Dentist -Dr Orin Scrivello, Phil McIntosh; Crystal, Bec Gordon; Chiffon, Tanya Boyle, and Ronette: Ellie McAdams. TJ Hoggard playing all the other assorted characters. Audrey II is played by three different performers, with Johnny Acosta - voice, Ebony Black puppeteer of the smaller Audrey II and Ross Colley puppeteer of the largest Audrey II.

Shire Music Theatre is a small company so the entire cast of LSOH and it's small production team are rmulit-tasking on the design, build, paint of the set, programmes, costumes, print and media. Chae Rogan who plays Seymour is responsible for website, graphics and costumes etc; Bridget Keating (Audrey) is handling visual arts and publicity; Phil McIntosh (Dentist) is in charge of set construction with the assistance of Tyler Hoggard; while Samuel Larielle takes the meaning of triple threat in a wholenew direction as Choreographer, Ticket Master, and SMT Secretary.

Shire Music Theatre has established a reputation for presenting musicals that are out of the box. Past successes include the sold out “13 A New Musical”, NSW Amateur Premiere “Spring Awakening”, “Side Show”, NSW Premiere “I Love You Because ” and “Big River”. Upcoming productions include “RENT”, “Zanna, Don’t!”, “Breast Wishes” and “Next to Normal”.

Little Shop of Horrors

Sutherland Memorial School of Arts, 25 East Parade, SUTHERLAND

Fri 17 Aug 8pm, Sat 18 Aug 8pm, Sun 19 Aug 2pm, Thurs 23 Aug 8pm, Fri 24 Aug 8pm, Sat 25 Aug 2pm & 8pm, Sun 26 Aug 2pm

Bookings: www.shiremusictheatre.org.au or call 0458 642 553

Images: Bridget Keating as Audrey, Chae Rogan as Seymour and Audrey II. Photographer: Zana Cohen.

More Reading

Community Theatre Seasons 2012 - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre/community-theatre-seasons-2012

More Community Theatre - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre