Greenbrier Valley Theatre is preparing to present its largest mainstage musical since re-opening post-pandemic. Little Shop of Horrors, the horror comedy musical by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman will grow on stage for three weeks in July and August.
Love-struck florist Seymour stumbles across a new breed of plant, but learns too late the smooth-talking carnivore feeds on blood and plots world domination. It is the inspiration for the 1986 musical movie adaptation starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Steve Martin.
The production will feature familiar and brand new faces to GVT. Ben Liebert (Pride and Prejudice) will star as Seymour alongside Valerie Torres-Rosario’s (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) Audrey. Rounding out the cast is Katelyn Bowman (SHOUT! The Mod Musical), T.J. Lancaster (ART), Kyla Bolling, Christian Bradford, Celia Doll, Lauren Johnson, and Jeff Ronan.
Producing Artistic Director Matthew Scott Campbell (Pride and Prejudice) will provide direction and musical staging. The production will feature musical direction by Patrick Summers, scenic design completed by Seth Howard, costume design by Jenna Fawn Brown, puppet design by Sherry Harper-McCombs, lighting design by E. Tonry Lathroum, and sound and prop design by Arron Seams. Elizabeth Salisch serves as the Production Stage Manager and Richard Crowell as Production Manager.
“Little Shop of Horrors is a funny, charming, and oddly thoughtful musical,” says Campbell. “In all the ways it’s a universal story of love, hope, greed and the power of success. Not to mention an irresistible score by Ashman and Menken. The original off-Broadway version of the show ran for 5 years totaling 2,209 performances. It has a movie (technically two), a Broadway production, and currently runs off-Broadway again. So, its reputation precedes itself. We are excited about our unique and truthful take on this story and overjoyed to share all the amazing talent with our audiences.”
Now entering its 55th season, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, The State Professional Theatre of West Virginia is a mainstay and theatre destination located in Lewisburg, WV. The arts organization has been further recognized as a “West Virginia Jewel of the Hills,” awarded the Living the Dream Service Organization Honor Roll by The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, and is a multi-year recipient of Non-Profit Business of the Year. GVT boasts a robust series of year-round programming and educational offers with the goal to enlighten, enrich, and enliven throughout the region.
Little Shop of Horrors opens at GVT on July 22 and runs through August 7. This production does contain adult language. Tickets are $32 for general seating, $29 for senior citizens age 60 and above, and $20 for students. For more information on tickets, shows, and the organization’s history, visit the theatre’s website, www.gvtheatre.org, or call the box office at (304) 645-3838.
