Little Shop of Horrors
In 1981, lyricist and book writer Howard Ashman got an itch to create a musical adaptation of Roger Corman 's B-movie, The Little Shop of Horrors . It was far from an obvious choice for an adaptation of any kind, let alone a musical. As his sister, Sarah Ashman Gillespie , recalls in program notes, she and some other confidants tried to dissuade Howard from the venture. Lucky for all of us, he was determined. The original production (directed by Ashman) opened in May 1982 at the WPA Theatre, and transferred to off-Broadway's Orpheum Theatre in July of that same year. It went on to run for 2,209 performances, and was adapted into a movie in 1986. It was a success in its time, and it continues to be a cult favorite. This unexpected story set on Skid Row has tickled audiences for 33 years (and counting), and thanks to Encores!, a few thousand lucky people got/get to see it on stage in New York—with Ellen Greene, the original Audrey. Little Shop of Horrors , with music by A...