Kentwood To Present “Little Shop Of Horrors”

Kentwood Players presents the comedy rock musical “Little Shop of Horrors” with book by Howard Ashman and music and lyrics by Alan Menken, from September 13 through October 19 for a six-week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with Sunday matinees at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles,

The production is directed by Michael-Anthony Nozzi, with Musical Director Joshua Eli Kranz, and produced by Shari Barrett and Sheridan Cole Crawford by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. The production features original Audrey II puppets designed by Michael-Anthony Nozzi and costumes designed by Maria Cohen and Arlene Cohen.

The cast features Elizabeth Adabale, Shari Barrett, Randy Brown, Brett Chapin, David Contreras, John Devereaux, Ruth Andrea Featherstone, Rusty Gregg, Barbara Haberman, Addy Hall, Emma Hall, Trevor Hart, Stephanie Hotz, Carly Linehan, Amanda Majkrzak, Peter Miller, Fiona Okida, Kristin Towers-Rowles, Michael Sandidge, Ethan Schyman, Hollister Starrett, Cole Edward Wagner, and Brittney S. Wheeler. Please note the role of Audrey is played by Kristin Towers Rowles except on September 20-21-22 when Carly Linehan plays the role.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is based on the 1960 science-fiction film by Roger Corman and opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre in Manhattan's East Village on July 27, 1982. The production, directed by Ashman, with musical staging by Edie Cowan, was critically acclaimed and won several awards including the 1982–1983 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, and the Outer Critics Circle Award.

The music, composed by Alan Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop, and early Motown, includes several well-known tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown),” "Somewhere That's Green,” and "Suddenly, Seymour.” The musical was also made into a 1986 film of the same name, directed by Frank Oz.

The plot centers on Seymour, a down-and out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. .

Tickets are $23 with a $2 discount for seniors, students, servicemen, and Metro riders. To purchase tickets, please call (310) 645-5156 during box office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 4 pm to 7. You may also purchase tickets online at www.kentwoodplayers.org. For group ticket sales call the box office.

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