At some point, we are all trying to rise above, escape or dream beyond something – be it a place, state of mind or other obstacle that has you feeling stuck.
What are you willing to do to get out?
That question is at the center of Gallery Players’ 78th season opener, “Little Shop of Horrors,” a campy, darkly comical romp with music by Alan Menken and a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman.
“Little Shop” revolves around Seymour Krelborn, a beleaguered florist clerk, the kind of guy known as a nebbish – timid, mild-mannered and nerdy. (Think Clark Kent without the super-alias.)
Seymour’s dreams of a life far from Skid Row seem as impossible as capturing the heart of his coworker, Audrey, Then, he discovers a peculiar, flytrap-like plant he names Audrey II.
The rapidly growing plant brings Seymour love and fame, changing his life in ways he never imagined – not all of them good.
An off-Broadway favorite, the musical has an infectious score embracing doo-wop, early Motown and early ‘60s rock’n’roll.
At its core, "Little Shop" is a Faustian tale that illustrates how the desperation of poverty can make people vulnerable to corruption and cautions against unchecked greed.
The stage show is loosely based on the 1960 comedy-horror cult film, "The Little Shop of Horrors.” It was adapted into a 1986 musical film with Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin and the voice of Levi Stubbs as Audrey II.
Gallery Players will perform “Little Shop of Horrors” in the Roth/Resler Theater at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Oct. 10, 15, 17, 22 and 24; and 2 p.m. Oct. 11, 18 and 25.
Tickets cost $35 at columbusjcc.org/gallery-players.
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Campy cult classic 'Little Shop of Horrors' hits Columbus stage
