A black comedy musical by Howard Ashman
Directed by Lisa van Oyen, Musical Direction by Andrew Smith

The Brookman St Theatre is being over-taken by a mean, green mother from outer space and you won’t want to miss all the fun.The GRC’s latest offering is the popular black comedy musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS all set to hit the Brookman Street Theatre stage in May for nine performances – under the award-winning direction of Lisa van Oyen and musical director Andrew Smith.

The dynamic duo won the Finley award for second best musical production in 2005 with “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and now they’re back again – ready to rock audiences with yet another sensational production.

Little Shop of Horrors was written by Howard Ashman and is based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy movie, directed by Roger Corman. The music, composed by Alan Menken in the style of 1960's rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, includes several show-stoppers including "Skid Row (Downtown)," "Somewhere That's Green," and "Suddenly Seymour."

One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name, and will undoubtedly have local audiences begging for “more more more” just as Audrey II does!

The action opens on Mushnik’s Flower Shop, a failing store on Skid Row. The few plants in stock are, like their surroundings, run down and fading. There we meet Mr. Mushnik and his two employees, Audrey and the nerdish Seymour Krelborn who secretly has a crush on his beautiful but much-abused co-worker.

Audrey, attempting to help Mushnik bring more customers into his failing business, persuades him to look at one of the “exotic plants Seymour has been tinkering around with.” Mushnik is intrigued and allows Seymour to display his flytrap-looking plant, which he has named Audrey II in honour of his secret love.

Seymour and Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon (who provide musical accompaniment and commentary throughout the show) perform an upbeat number explaining that the strange flower was purchased from Chang’s Flower Shop. The plant appeared, “mysteriously,” after a total eclipse of the sun.

Of course the strange plant draws customers and business is soon booming. In celebration Mushnik invites Seymour and Audrey out on the town, but Audrey has a date with her boyfriend, the sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello. Seymour also declines and stays behind to tend to the suddenly ailing Audrey II. That night, alone in the shop, he discovers the shocking secret to the plant’s health and phenomenal growth: human blood.

Seymour encourages the plant’s growth by pricking his fingertips and feeding Audrey II his own blood. This only lasts for a few days, however, and the meager drops of blood aren’t enough for the quickly growing plant. Finally, late one night the plant grows bold and speaks: “feed me.” Audrey II has now become a singing, dancing, jive talking, vampire vegetable who won’t take no for an answer!

Performing: May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24
Times: All performances @ 8pm
Tickets: $25/$15
Bookings: 9088 6900 (10am-3pm Mon to Fri)
More info: www.tazentertainment.com.au