Ohio Wesleyan to Perform ‘Little Shop of Horrors’
Two Presentations of Cult Classic Musical Set for March 3-4
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University’s Opera Theatre will present two performances of “Little Shop of Horrors” – a dark comedy about an alien, man-eating plant – at 8 p.m. March 3-4 in Jemison Auditorium inside Sanborn Hall, 23 Elizabeth St., Delaware.
Written and composed by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, “Little Shop of Horrors” is produced by Ohio Wesleyan assistant professor of music Jennifer Whitehead, D.M.A., and guest-directed by Laura Portune, D.M.A.
Musical hits featured in the show include “Skid Row,” “Somewhere That’s Green,” and “Suddenly, Seymour.”
In the story, Seymour Krelborn, a meek flower shop employee, discovers a unique plant that he names Audrey II, in honor of the unrequited love of his life. Audrey II helps Seymour get the girl, but requires a diet of fresh blood – and begs Seymour to feed it more and more.
“Little Shop of Horrors” has been nominated for multiple awards and won the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Film’s Best Music Award in 1987. It also was made into a Hollywood film, with a cast that included comedians Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, and Bill Murray.
Of “Little Shop of Horrors,” critic Roger Ebert wrote: “All of the wonders of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ are accomplished with an offhand, casual charm. … [It] devotes its energies to seeming unforced and delightful. The big laughs, when they come, are explosive, but the quiet romantic moments are allowed to have their coy innocence.”
Ohio Wesleyan’s production features students Jack Riter as Seymour, Rachel Ballitch as Audrey, Alyssa Clark as Chiffon, Catie Kocian as Crystal, Hannah Wargo as Ronnette, TJ Galamba as Mr. Mushnik, Reggie Hemphill as the voice of Audrey II, Rachel Scherrer and Emily Shpiece as Audrey II’s puppeteers, and Danny Brothers as characters including Orin, Bernstein, Snip, and Luce. Alexia Minton is the production’s student choreographer and costumer.
Tickets are $10 for general admission; $7 for senior citizens and non-Ohio Wesleyan students, and free for Ohio Wesleyan employees and students with a valid OWU ID. Tickets may be purchased at the door (cash or check only) and reserved by calling (740) 368-3702. Learn more at www.owu.edu/music.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers nearly 90 undergraduate majors and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through Ohio Wesleyan’s signature OWU Connection program, students integrate knowledge across disciplines, build a diverse and global perspective, and apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” listed on the latest President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.