Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage to Close Season with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's award-winning professional theatre company, concludes its 2014/2015 season with "Little Shop of Horrors" the hit rock musical comedy about a hapless florist shop worker, the girl of his dreams and one very voracious plant. With book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. Performances are April 17-May 3, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, at The Melissa & Doug Theatre at The New MTC, 509 Westport Avenue (behind the Jones New York and Nine West Outlet) in Norwalk, CT. Tickets range from $30-$50 ($5 discount for seniors/students) and are available by calling 203.454.3883 or visiting www.musictheatreofct.com

"Little Shop of Horrors" is based on the cult classic film directed by Roger Corman, with a screenplay by Charles Griffith, and was turned into a musical by Howard Ashman (book and lyrics) and Alan Menken (music). Ashman and Menken are also the musical team who wrote Disney's "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin." The musical premiered Off-Off-Broadway in 1982 before moving to the Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway, where it had a five-year run, winning several awards including the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award.

MTC's professional Equity cast includes Fairfield native Elissa DeMaria (Audrey), who appeared as Natalie in the MTC MainStage production of "Next to Normal" as Natalie, as well as "Shout!" on the Norwegian Jade throughout Europe, "The Marvelous Wonderettes," "Seussical," "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "The Light in the Piazza." Norwalk native Anthony DiCostanzo (Seymour) has appeared in "Vieux Carre," "A Soft Murder," "Elegies" and "A Proper Place." He holds a BFA in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory and is creative director of Haus Cat, an art's collaborative. Kristian Espiritu (Crystal), appeared in the critically-acclaimed hit "Here Lies Love" at The Public Theater, as well as "Lesbian Love Octagon" at the Kraine Theater, "Junie B. Jones" at TWUSA and on the Disney Cruise Lines. Inuka Ivaska (Chiffon) has appeared in "Jerry's Girls," "Dreamgirls," "Hair," "Hairspray" and "Flashback" as Tina Turner and Diana Ross. Tony Lawson (Orin and Others) appeared in the MTC MainStage productions of "The Fantasticks" as El Gallo, Pete in "Pete 'n' Keely," on Broadway in "Les Miserables," and on the national tour of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" and Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." Gabrielle Lee (Ronette) has appeared in national and European tours, Off-Broadway and in regional theater productions including "Dreamgirls," "Smokey Joe's Cafe," "Showboat," "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "My Fair Lady." She has performed with Natalie Cole, Steely Dan, Michael Bolton, Marvin Hamlish and Harry Belafonte, and appeared as a guest performer of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Peter McClung (Audrey II) has appeared as Amos in "Chicago," as the title role in "Sweeney Todd" and was a member of the political satire group The Capitol Steps. Stamford native Lou Ursone (Musknik) appeared in the MTC MainStage as Hucklebee in "The Fantasticks." Other favorite roles include Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof", John Adams in "1776", and Zaza/Albin in "La Cage aux Folles". His television work includes "Loving," "Ryan's Hope," "All My Children," "One Life to Live," "Rescue 911" and "Unsolved Mysteries."

"Little Shop of Horrors" is directed by MTC co-founder and Executive Artistic Director Kevin Connors. The design team includes set design by David Huevelman, lighting by Tyler H. First, costumes by Diane Vanderkroef, choreography by Steven Midura and musical direction by Thomas Martin Conroy. The production is stage managed by Jim Schilling.

"Little Shop of Horrors" is sponsored in part by Shoff Darby Insurance Agency, and is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. MTC is proud to partner again this season with Rizzuto's Wood-Fired Kitchen and Bar of Westport, offering a special discount to "Little Shop of Horrors" ticket holders (see ticket for details).

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