The Renner brought an 80s cult classic musical comedy to life with a few twists and turns and a massive amount of creativity. Little Shop of Horrors hit the stage at the Renner in October and did not disappoint.
The set design was spectacular and the entire theater was used to submerse viewers into a 1950s-inspired world where a money-hungry Skid Row flower shop owner, his employees the nieve yet eager-to-please Seymour and his crush Audrey, and a cast of other characters find themselves in a heap of trouble due to the intense greed of an even hungrier plant driven by world domination.
Little Shop of Horrors was directed by Shelly Tolliver and Jessica Cunningham. Music and direction were courtesy of Darla Revennaugh and the play was produced by Addy Weck. Joe and Madysen Grimm took on the role of the Puppet Masters for Audrey II. The father-daughter duo worked together to construct the two large mechanical plants used for Audrey II. The production was produced through special arrangements with Music Theater International and was based on the film by Roger Corman with the screenplay written by Charles Griffith. Music was arranged by Alan Menken and the book and lyrics were written by Howard Ashman.
“There was so much talent at auditions,” stated Tolliver. “It has been very exciting to go the extra mile.”
The cast included Nate Kearns as Seymour Krelborn, Reagan Dygert as Audrey, Lee Hoover and Kevin McCarthy as Mr. Mushnick, Kasey Kelly as Orin Scrivello, DDS, Thomas Hoover, Hugh Snyder, and Hayden Weck as Audrey II, Michelle Robison as Chiffon, Joy Griepenstroh as Ronnette, Allie Norman as Crystal, Becky Caughron as part of the ensemble, Jerry Coganow as a wino, Laura Gatton as Mrs. Luce/radio guest/ensemble, Kate Hoover as a radio guest and Ronnette backup vocals, Laurie Hurd as Ms. Luce and ensemble, Paige Johnson as an officer, Cailyn Kennedy as a radio guest/fan girl/ensemble, Ashlynn Smith as Chang and ensemble, Kerby Staker as the radio personality and Bernstein, Alec Waggle as a lost guy/Snip/customer, Andi Waggle as Uppity Mom and ensemble, Owen Waggle as brat child and ensemble, Sara Waggle as Angel Momma and Ronnette backup vocals, Autumn Wheeler as a street kid/Martins girl/ensemble, and Margi Wysong as a wino.
Shelly Tuliver, Jessica Cunningham, Darla Ravennaugh, Bruce Ravennaugh, Hayden Weck, Addy Weck, Allison Mcconaha. Hannah Fasilis, Dakota McConaha, Rich Tolliver, Nate Kearns, Kasey Kelly, Hugh Snyder, Reid Mudgett, Joe Grimm, Madysen Grimm, Thomas Hoover, Laurie Hurd, Michelle Robinson, Ashlynn Smith, Jean Graap, Stacy Katz, Caitlyn Staker, David Wickham, Mollie Winland, and Margi Wysong were all part of the Little Shop of Horrors crew.
“This cast and crew is the reason I love the theater so much – collaboration has its own synergy. When people give 100 percent, amazing things can happen – and have happened with this production,” said Tolliver.
After each show, the audience was invited to have their picture taken inside Audrey II for a small donation.
For upcoming show information visit therenner.org.
