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Act 1 Opens 55th Season with “Little Shop of Horrors”
From left: Tommy Stacherski as Seymour and Rosie Dunphy as Audrey in DeSales University Act 1’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Photo by Jack Lerch.
Act 1 DeSales University Theatre is pleased to announce that the classic musical “Little Shop of Horrors” will be the opening production of its 55th season.
The Act 1 premiere opens on Thursday, Sept. 26, and runs until Sunday, Oct. 6, on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts.
Based on the 1960 film directed by Roger Corman, the horror comedy musical tells the story of a struggling business, Mushnik’s Skid Row flower shop. Seymour, the shop's shy assistant, discovers a strange new plant with an unusual appetite. Seymour names the plant Audrey II after his coworker Audrey for whom he secretly pines.
Audrey II attracts new customers, the shop thrives, love blooms, all while Audrey II plots universal domination. A rock and roll, doo-wop, and Motown musical composed by Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman, the show includes some well-known songs including the title track, “Suddenly, Seymour,” and “Somewhere That’s Green.” “Little Shop of Horrors” is the winner of the 1983 Drama Desk Award for Best Musical.
“‘Little Shop’ is one of only a select few musicals I can think of that beautifully weaves the musical world of the story, in this case Motown, doo-wop, and rock and roll, into the storytelling structure. The score by Menken and Ashman intensifies every element: the romance, the absurdity, and the danger.”
In addition to his work at the University, Bell is a director, choreographer, intimacy director, and conductor. His professional credits include the Tony Award winning Old Globe Theatre, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Meadowbrook Theatre, the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, the Virginia Opera, and the Michigan Opera. He has directed, choreographed, and/or conducted over 100 productions throughout the United States.
Guest artists Ryan Touhey is the musical director, and Devon Sinclair is the choreographer. Parris Bradley is the scenic designer, creating the run-down flower shop, and LaVonne Lindsay is the costume designer. Touhey, Sinclair, and Lindsay are all currently nominated for Barrymore awards, which recognize professional theatre in the Greater Philadelphia region. Eric T. Haugen, head of design, serves as lighting designer, and Jonathan Cannon, sound supervisor for DeSales, is the sound designer.
Lehigh Valley-based performance artist Samantha Beedle serves as the production’s puppet coach and is working with the students who will move Audrey II and will speak the plant’s lines.
“Little Shop of Horrors” opens on Thursday, Sept. 26, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30, at 9:45 a.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices are $30 for adults and $28 for students and seniors Monday through Friday and $34 for adults and $32 for students and seniors Saturday and Sunday. There are two talkback performances with the cast. The first will be on Sunday, Sept. 29, after the 2:00 p.m. performance and one on Monday, Sept. 30, following the 9:45 a.m. performance. Following the Friday, Oct. 4, performance, the Audrey II Garden Party will take place in the lobby for all patrons.
Students who attend DeSales or any other Lehigh Valley college or university can purchase tickets for $8. Group discounts are available for all performances. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Labuda Center Box Office at 610-282-3192 or by visiting the website at tickets.desales.edu.
To improve accessibility for all patrons, the Saturday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. performance will feature Open Captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and Audio Descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. During Open Captioned performances, all dialogue and sound effects are presented in real-time on an LED screen that is adjacent to the stage. During Audio Described performances, all action and physical appearances are described live through a headset. Tickets are half price for patrons using these special services on this date. Please call Box Office Manager Eric Pierson at 610-282-1100, ext. 1820, for more information.
The Labuda Center is accessible and equipped with a listening enhancement system. Special seating is available for our patrons using wheelchairs or requiring other assistance. Please inform the box office of your needs when ordering tickets. “Little Shop of Horrors” is licensed by Music Theatre International.
