New York City Center’s production of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s hit musical “Little Shop of Horrors” has found its leading man.
Jake Gyllenhaal, who made his Broadway debut this season in “Constellations,” will step into the suspenders of Seymour, the loveable florist who develops an unhealthy relationship with a killer plant. It will be his New York stage musical debut.
Gyllenhaal will star alongside original “Little Shop of Horrors” star Ellen Greene, who will reprise the role she made famous: Audrey, Seymour’s love interest.
Rounding out the rest of the cast will be “Saturday Night Live” star Taran Killam, as Orin -- Audrey’s sadistic dentist boyfriend and Tony winner Chuck Cooper (“The Life”) as the voice of Audrey II, the aforementioned R&B-singing killer plant. Tracy Nicole Chapman, Marva Hicks and Ramona Keller as will make up The Urchins, our girl group narrators.
“Little Shop of Horrors” will play two performances at New York City Center: an evening performance on July 1 and a matinee on July 2. The production, directed by Dick Scanlan, will be the second production of the 2015 Encores! Off-Center Season.
Based on a 1960 black comedy by Roger Corman, “Little Shop of Horrors” first premiered in 1982, in an Off-Off-Broadway house. It moved to Off-Broadway’s Orpheum Theatre soon thereafter, but didn’t make it to Broadway until a 2003 revival.
The musical was turned into a 1986 film starring Greene, Rick Moranis and Steve Martin.
Broadway
For ticket information, visit www.nycitycenter.org.
