American Blues Theater to Present LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, 4/29-5/29

American Blues Theater continues its 30th Anniversary Season - "Seeing is Believing" - with the comedic rock musical Little Shop of Horrors, 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 runs April 29 - May 29, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

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), as well as Mark David Kaplan (Mr. Mushnik), Lorenzo Rush Jr. (Audrey II/Voice), 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).

The creative team includes Ensemble Members 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), Dana Nestrick (stage manager) and Chelsea Warren (puppet consultant).