Theatre at the Center Presents LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Opening 7/12

Inspired by the blockbuster 1960 Roger Corman film, the monster musical hit LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS comes to Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, July 12 through August 19. One of the longest-running musicals Off-Broadway, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS features a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and The Beast" and "Aladdin"). The Chicago Sun-Times calls LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS “Splendid laugh-filled entertainment” and The Chicago Tribune raves “You’ll love it. It’s a gas!” Theatre at the Center’s production, boasting glorious refurbishments of the plants from the original New York production, will be directed and choreographed by Stacey Flaster. The press performance will be Sunday, July 15 at 7 p.m.

Down-and-out florist shop worker Seymour becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Infatuated with his co-worker Audrey, Seymour allows his new-found fame and fortune to seduce him into giving the man-eating-plant as much tender love and care as it requires. Naming the plant after his secret love, “Audrey II” soon grows into a bad mannered, foul-mouthed, crooning carnivore. Now enjoying everything he ever desired, Seymour must decide if he can sacrifice it all in order to save the world from this out of control plant and its sinister spores. This gleefully gruesome musical is a cult classic, with a lineup of energetic songs and an assortment of zany characters to delight audiences of all ages.

The San Francisco Chronicle exclaims “Little Shop of Horrors is consistently amusing and churns with non-stop musical momentum, plus a few old-time Disney touches. This time, it’s easy being green!” The musical has been described as a “horticultural horror (that) will have you screaming with laughter” by The New York Post and “Giddy, irresistible entertainment” by Women's Wear Daily. The New York Times proclaims, “It leaves the audience feeling just like Audrey II between victims — ravenous for more."

The cast of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS stars Jon Cunningham as “Seymour”, Peter Kevoian as “Mushnik”, Rod Thomas as “Dentist”, Tiffany Trainer as “Audrey”, Stan White as “Audrey II”, Eva Ruwe as “Crystal”, Reneisha Jenkins as “Ronette”, Chadae McAlister as “Chiffon” and Scott Stratton as “Plant Op”.

The Artistic Team, led by Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi, features Direction and Choreography by Stacey Flaster and Musical Direction and Orchestrations by William A. Underwood. The design team includes Scenic Designer Bill Bartelt; Lighting Designer Tim Fandrei; Sound Designer Barry G. Funderburg; Costume Designer Brenda Winstead, Wig Designer Kevin Barthel, and Props Designer Lauren Earnshaw. The Stage Manager is Rita Vreeland, the Technical Director is Ann Davis; and TATC’s General Manager is Richard Friedman.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is Located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, and has free parking.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; and select Thursday evening and Saturday matinees. Individual ticket prices range from $38 - $42. To purchase individual tickets call the Box Office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more and gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions, are also available. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

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