American Blues Theater Extends LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Through July

Due to overwhelming demand, American Blues Theater has again extended Little Shop of Horrors, the comedic rock musical with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, directed by Jonathan Berry, and music direction by Ensemble member Austin Cook. Little Shop of Horrors now runs through July 31, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets to Little Shop of Horrors extension (July 1-31) are on sale Monday, May 31 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased by phone at 773-404-7336 or online at www.americanbluestheater.com. Tickets for the regular run are on sale now.

"American Blues is thrilled by the success of our Little Shop, making it the longest running production in our thirty-year history," said Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside.

For years, Little Shop of Horrors has made audiences scream with laughter. In this gleefully gruesome musical, Seymour, a poor florist's assistant, allows his craving for fame and fortune to seduce him into playing nursemaid to a man-eating plant. This celebrated musical, with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, features the rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown-inspired songs "Skid Row (Downtown)," "Somewhere That's Green," and "Suddenly, Seymour."

Following the success of 2013's Hank Williams: Lost Highway, American Blues will again utilize the phenomenal musical talent of its company, allowing them to produce a comedy with great music and a fun story. Little Shop of Horrors features American Blues Ensemble Members Michael Mahler (Seymour), Dara Cameron (Audrey) and Artistic Affiliate Ian Paul Custer (Orin),as well as Mark David Kaplan (Mr. Mushnik), Lorenzo Rush Jr. (Voice of Audrey Two), Camille Robinson (Crystal), Jasondra Johnson (Ronnette), Eunice Woods (Chiffon), Darian Tene (Street Derelict), and Yando Lopez (Street Derelict).

The live band includes music director Austin Cook (keyboard), Shaun Whitley (electric guitar), Michael Weatherspoon (drums), Malcolm Ruhl (bass), and Matthew Sitz (auxiliary percussion/puppeteer).

The creative team includes Ensemble members and Artistic Affiliates Grant Sabin (scenic), Izumi Inaba (costumes), Rick Sims (sound), Christopher J. Neville (props), and Sarah E. Ross (Audrey II), as well as Heather Gilbert (lights) and Dana Nestrick (stage manager).

Photo by Johnny Knight