LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Opens at Murfreesboro's CFTA This Friday

Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts presents Little Shop of Horrors on its mainstage, April 28 through May 21. Renee Robinson directs a cast that includes Matthew Hayes Hunter as Seymour Krelbourn, Lindsay Pfeiffer as Audrey and Howard Snyder as Mr. Mushnik, owner of the eponymous "little shop."

The musical, written by Howard Ashman and composed by Alan Menken, is based on a B-horror film of the same name. It follows the meek flower shop assistant Seymour Krelborn, who pines for a co-worker, Audrey, and discovers an unusual plant during a total eclipse.

"Not only do we know this musical has a cult following, our director, Renee Robinson, has a great record here," said the center's executive director, Patience Long.

Long said the show will run for four weekends instead of the normal three, a change in usual booking practice that reflects what she believes will be the production's audience appeal.

"You will want to grab your tickets early for any of the four weekends of the show," she said.

Seymour, played by center veteran Matthew Hayes Hunter, names his strange plant Audrey II and quickly learns that it feeds on blood to survive. As Audrey II grows, it begins to attract a great deal of business for the previously struggling floral shop. Unfortunately for Seymour, he has trouble keeping up with Audrey II's seemingly insatiable appetite and has to resort to more extreme measures.

Robinson, who has previously directed hits at the Center, ranging from The Color Purple to It's a Wonderful Life, said she is excited to add her particular flair to the show: "Little Shop of Horrors has been a musical I've loved for a while," she said. "The contrast of the bounce of the music and the deeper and strange subject matter have been paths I wanted to explore."

Tickets can be purchased on the Center's website at www.boroarts.org, by calling (615) 904-2787 or at the Center's box office at 110 W. College St. in downtown Murfreesboro. Prices are $15 for adults; $13 for seniors, students and military, $11 for children. Group tickets are available. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.