Feed Your Curiosity with “Little Shop of Horrors” at Near West Theatre

Posted January 06, 2025 in Press Releases

Feed Your Curiosity with “Little Shop of Horrors” at Near West Theatre

Cult-classic musical comes to life in the heart of Gordon Square Arts District

CLEVELAND – January 6, 2025 – Near West Theatre’s upcoming production of the cult-classic musical comedy, Little Shop of Horrors features a vibrant cast of local talent and the iconic larger-than-life man-eating plant! This show promises a bloody good time for all ages, running three weekends from January 31 through February 16, 2025, at Near West Theatre’s state-of-the-art, ADA-compliant building located at 6702 Detroit Avenue in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District. Tickets are $20 on sale now, with additional Pay What You Choose options available. Please visit nearwesttheatre.org or call the Box Office at 216-961-6391 on weekdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Little Shop of Horrors is Directed by Near West Theatre’s Artistic Director Trinidad Snider, with Assistant Music Direction by Bradley Wyner and Choreography by Kirk Eichelberger. The talented cast features the amazing talents of (in alphabetical order): Jasmine Banes, Paris Bunch, Kyla Burks, Sara Chapman, Sarah Green, Michael Mahoney, Pat Miller, Katie Mounts, Ricky Ortega, Camila Pinero, Stephanie Samuels, Chris Sgarlata, Danny Simpson, and Sydney Noelle Warren. “This show challenges audiences to think about the cost of compromise and how our indulgences can trap us before we even know we are in trouble,” says Director Trinidad Snider. “At its heart, Little Shop of Horrors is a story about what we feed — our hopes, our fears, and our deepest desires,” Snider continued. “It asks the critical question: What grows when we nurture the wrong things, and how do we find the courage to break free?” Little Shop of Horrors is set in Skid Row, where Seymour works at a struggling flower shop owned by Mr. Mushnik. When Seymour discovers a strange and exotic plant, which he names Audrey II after his co-worker crush, he suddenly finds fame and fortune. But as Audrey II grows, so does its insatiable appetite, leading Seymour down a dark and comically twisted path. Little Shop of Horrors features a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, with music by Alan Menken, and based on the film by Roger Corman with a screenplay by Charles Griffith. Near West’s production will feature Costume Design by David Glowe, Prop Design by Venchise Phillips, Sound Tech by James Romeo, with Scenic Design and Technical Direction by Perren Hedderson. Joshua Caraballo will provide Sound Design, with Lighting Design by Rob Wachala. Assistant Technical Direction will be offered by Emily Hehnen. Near West’s Production Manager is Michael Stein. Little Shop of Horrors will be Stage Managed by Whitney Miller, with Assistant Stage Management offered by Kenedy Brooks. Set designer, Perren Hedderson, incorporated this into the set design. “This is a story of people feeding into things that are not healthy for them. Ultimately, it consumes them. The set is an extension of that broken, desperate, scary notion,” Hedderson explains. To lean into the kitschy aspects of this cult classic musical, Hedderson adds, “I thought the shape and style of the set could feel like a comic book come to life. I like the idea that the world is abstract and rough, while the shop itself is more literal—a place ripe for a creature to take over.” For additional information including box office information, please visit nearwesttheatre.org. The theatre was constructed as part of the Gordon Square Arts District capital campaign and features climate-control and is fully accessible by wheelchair. Little Shop of Horrors is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). ###About Near West TheatreNear West Theatre builds loving relationships and engages diverse people in strengthening their sense of identity, passion, and purpose, individually and in community, through accessible, affordable, and transformational theatre arts experiences. Since 1978, Near West Theatre has been shaping, changing, and saving the lives of children, teens, and adults. The community theater hosts a variety of free community events and free after-school programs to underline its commitment to accessibility for all people. The organization serves people of all ages, but a focus on youth goes back to its founding and continues to this day. www.nearwesttheatre.org. @nearwesttheatre. NWT is grateful to receive financial support from the Ohio Arts Council and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. For more information, visit nearwesttheatre.org or follow the theatre on Facebook (facebook.com/nearwesttheatre) and Instagram (@nearwesttheatre).[TOMBSTONE INFO]“Little Shop of Horrors” "Tell your mama, somethin's gonna get 'er!"Winter Mainstage Production
Runtime: 2 hours and 15 minutes, 15-minute intermissionBook & Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screenplay by Charles Griffith
Originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Kyle Renick, Producing Director)
Originally produced at the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh, and the Shubert OrganizationLITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
was originally Directed by Howard Ashman with Musical Staging by Edie Cowan
Original Vocal Arrangements by Robert Billig
New Arrangements by Michael Kosarin
Orchestrations by Danny TroobLITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (BROADWAY VERSION) is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com. Performance DatesFri. January 31 - 7:30 PMSat. February 1 - 7:30 PMFri. February 7 - 7:30 PMSat. February 8 - 7:30 PMSun. February 9 - 2:00 PMFri. February 14 - 7:30 PMSat. February 15 - 7:30 PMSun. February 16 - 2:00 PMSuggested Performance ListingNear West Theatre, 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland’s Gordon Square Arts District. Box Office: 216-961-6391 or nearwesttheatre.org. “Little Shop of Horrors'' runs January 31, February 7, 8, 14, & 15 at 7:30 p.m.; February 9 & 16 at 2:00 p.m. General Admission: Tickets $20 with Pay What You Choose options available. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (BROADWAY VERSION) is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.