'Little Shop of Horrors' opens Friday at ECC
Audrey, the people-eating plant from outer space is about to invade the Fox Valley.
Fox Valley Theatre Company will present "Little Shop of Horrors" - which has devoured the hearts of theatergoers for more than 30 years - Friday, Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 18 at the Elgin Community College Arts Center.
"Little Shop" stars Seymour (Chase Nelson, Carpentersville), who works in Mushnik's floral shop, and the woman he secretly loves, Audrey (Rachel Groth, St. Charles). When a mysterious plant that sings R&B - from outer space, as it turns out later - enters his life, Seymour names it Audrey II after his crush.
Despite Seymour's care, Audrey II droops dispiritedly. Then one day Seymour accidentally pricks his finger and the plant laps the resulting blood up hungrily. As the plant thrives, so does the business, and the timid Seymour is regarded as a hero as he discovers the human Audrey does love him and wishes to leave her violent dentist boyfriend, Owen (Lorimer Arteaga, Carpentersville).
But trouble ensues as the carnivorous plant's appetite grows and the evil Mr. Mushnik (Eric Torres, West Dundee) schemes to take advantage of the poor, unsuspecting Seymour. Will it be too late when they all discover plant Audrey's otherworldly roots and her quest to rule the world?
"'Little Shop' has so much going for it, including a variety of musical styles from rhythm and blues to rock and more," said director Chris Cherry, himself an alumnus of the community theater group.
"It's got a wonderfully creepy dark side, inventive characters and great songs. And the giant Audrey II puppet will knock the audience members' socks off!"
The crowd-pleasing musical is from Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the creative duo behind Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid." It stars nearly 35 young people, ages 14 to 19, from through the Fox Valley area. Matt Bishop is musical director and Steve Olson is producer.
"Little Shop" takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9, 10, 16 and 17, and at 2 p.m. Sept. 11 and 18 at ECC's Blizzard Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. The arts center charges an additional fee of $2 per ticket and another $5 per order for online and phone sales. To purchase tickets, visit www.elgin.edu./arts or call (847) 622-0300. The Blizzard Theatre is at 1700 Spartan Drive, Building H, in Elgin.
Fox Valley Theatre Company, for students in grade nine through age 20, is an affiliate of Children's Theatre of Elgin. CTE was founded in 1988 to provide local performing arts opportunities and instruction in live theater for children in grades two to nine.
For details, visit www.CTEelgin.com or call (847) 214-7152.
If you go
What: Fox Valley Theatre Company's production of "Little Shop of Horrors"
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 9, 10, 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 11 and 18
Where: Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin
Tickets: $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. The arts center charges an additional fee of $2 per ticket and another $5 per order for online and phone sales.
To order: Visit <a href="http://www.elgin.edu./arts">www.elgin.edu./arts</a> or call (847) 622-0300.