UGA Theatre presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. The show is directed by Daniel Ellis.
Performances will be held in the Fine Arts Theatre on April 12-13 and 17-20 at 8 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. The April 18 and 19 performances will feature ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation. A ticketed preview performance will be held on April 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 or $6 for UGA students and can be purchased at ugatheatre.com/littleshop, by phone at 706-542-4400, or in person at the Performing Arts Center or Tate Center box office.
Audiences are undoubtedly familiar with “Little Shop of Horrors.” The Faustian tale of Seymour Krelborn originated in 1960 as “The Little Shop of Horrors,” a B-movie directed by schlock icon Roger Corman. It was later adapted into an off-Broadway stage musical in 1982 by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. This led to what is arguably considered the story’s most renowned iteration, the 1986 Frank Oz film adaptation starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin.
“This production has given us a wonderful opportunity to partner with other Franklin College units,” said Julie Ray, head of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ theatre and film studies department. “The Department of Plant Biology plans to redecorate the Fine Arts Theatre lobby on opening weekend so audiences will get to see the arts and sciences collaborating in a wholly unique way.”
Two tie-in events will take place surrounding the show’s opening. On March 25, film studies professor Christopher Sieving will introduce a screening of the 1956 B-Movie classic “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” in Room 400 of the Fine Arts Building at 6:30 p.m. Prior to the April 19 performance, a panel titled “Thinking Green: Botany, B-Movies, and Body-ody-ody” featuring faculty from plant sciences, film studies and women’s studies will take place in Room 400 of the Fine Arts Building at 6:30 pm. This panel will be moderated by “Little Shop” dramaturg Sloan Elle Garner.