LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Plays Abingdon's Barter Stage, Opens 9/11

Little Shop of Horrors, the delightful sci-fi musical comedy takes over Barter Stage II beginning September 11.

Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Little Shop of Horrors never fails to entertain in this story about Seymour, a down-and-out skid row floral assistant, who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon "Audrey II" grows into an ill-tempered, R&B-singing carnivore that offers Seymour fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination! Little Shop of Horrors features the songs "Somewhere That's Green," "Dentist!," "Suddenly, Seymour" and "Suppertime."

This affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a household name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin). Written in May 1982, Little Shop of Horrors is based on the 1960's Roger Corman sci-fi horror flick. A 1986 movie version of the musical directed by Frank Oz and starring Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene has become a cult classic.

Director Evalyn Baron described the unique style of this production. "Barter Theatre has consistently attempted to inspire you with heartbreaking tragedies, belly-shaking comedies and tear-inducing human dramas. Now, we invite you to enjoy a little bit of each with this wildly botanical production, and if you're anything like me, preferring your flesh-eating horrors to be served up with ample doses of satisfying laughter and a quirky point of view on this crazy world we live in, then Little Shop of Horrors will fascinate and tickle you!" Baron said.

Baron, along with her duties as director of outreach and a member of the Resident Acting Company for Barter Theatre, has directed many of Barter's successful production including Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Evita, Oklahoma!, 1776, This Is Our House, A Sanders' Family Christmas and Wise Women.

Little Shop of Horrors features many of Barter's favorite actors including David McCall as Seymour, known for his performance in the title role in The Who's Tommy; Hannah Ingram as Audrey, loved by audiences in Beauty and the Beast and Evita; and Michael Poisson as shopkeeper Mr. Mushnik, known from Don't Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell and Driving Miss Daisy. Also performing are two returning audience-favorites: Danny Vaccaro, of Barter's Singin' in the Rain and Sweeney Todd and Jasper McGruder of Jimmie Rodgers: America's Blue Yodeler and Of Mice and Men. Rounding out the cast are three new actresses to Barter who will amaze audiences with their talented voices: Lea S. Anderson, Dayna J. Dantzler and Taprena Augustine. Little Shop of Horrors is musically directed by Tim Robertson and choreographed by Amanda Aldridge.

The State Theatre of Virginia, the world famous Barter Theatre is celebrating its 76th anniversary season of producing professional non-profit theatre in the Appalachian Region. Known for outstanding musicals, comedies, dramas, new and Appalachian works and award-winning educational programming, Barter Theatre, Barter Stage II and The Barter Players present programs several times a week, and patrons can see up to five shows in two days in beautiful downtown Abingdon. Escape to another world at Barter Theatre!

Little Shop of Horrors is sponsored by My Tri-Cities TV WAPK 36, Wytheville Enterprise and Rock 102.5. Barter Theatre is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Contact Barter's Box Office at (276) 628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com for more information and show times or to pick your seats and book your tickets online.

When: September 11 - November 15
Where: Barter State II in historic downtown Abingdon, VA.
How Much: Adult tickets are $28, $31, $34. Children tickets are $17. Group rates are available, as well discounts for students and seniors