Theatre of Western Springs Sprouts a Musical: 'Little Shop of Horrors'

Western Springs, IL - The Theatre of Western Springs presents its 5th and final Mainstage play of the 88th season, the campy musical “Little Shop of Horrors," book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken.

Directed by TWS Executive Artistic Director Eddie Sugarman, with music direction by Kyle Greer and choreography by Christie Kerr, the play runs June 2 - 12, 2016, at TWS, 4384 Hampton Ave. in Western Springs.

Schedule:

• 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays – June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11
• 2:30 p.m. Sundays, June 5 and 12
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 5

A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, "Little Shop of Horrors" has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken are the creative geniuses behind what has become a cult classic all over the world. It won the Drama Critics Award, Drama Desk Award and Evening Standard Award all for Best Musical.

A meek and mild floral assistant named Seymour stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his crush on a cute co-worker. This plant quickly grows into a crude and rude R&B-singing carnivore who promises unending fame and fortune to the penniless Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it. The only catch is the plant wants blood. Too late, Seymour discovers he's dealing with an alien out to take over the world. In a casting coup, Theatre of Western Springs has secured the original giant plant puppets from the 1982 off-Broadway production: now refurbished and ready for their Western Springs debut!

“It’s a perfect musical comedy." said Director Sugarman, "It has sweet and hilarious characters, a rocking score, and a 500-pound carnivorous plant. Who could ask for anything more? We can’t wait to share this with our audiences.”

Tickets are $23 and $25. Student tickets are available for $12. Call the TWS box office at 708-246-3380 or go to: http://www.theatrewesternsprings.com. Free parking is available.

Director Eddie Sugarman

Eddie Sugarman is completing his second year as executive artistic director at the Theatre of Western Springs.

Prior, he was managing director of Berwyn’s 16th Street Theater, winner of the 2013 Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theatre Award. Sugarman worked in the marketing department at the Tony Award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and during his three seasons as managing director of the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in Cicero, he produced 18 plays and musicals and increased overall attendance and box-office revenue by more than 10 percent a year.

Sugarman wrote book and lyrics for the musical "Cinderella... After the Ball," which ran from March 3 to May 8, 2016, at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre. He also co-wrote the musical “Meet John Doe,” which had its world premiere at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. It won two Helen Hayes Awards and is licensed by the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization.

For two years, Sugarman appeared on Broadway as a stuntman in the original production of the musical, “Ragtime.”

He earned a BFA in Musical Theater from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a master’s degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University, Philadelphia.

A resident of Western Springs, Sugarman lives with his wife, Kara (who, as a girl, took classes at Children's Theatre of Western Springs), and their children Sam and Lucy.

CAST

Mr. Mushnik - David Bremer of Western Springs

Audrey II - Brian Centers of Westmont

Orin - Tim Gannon of LaGrange Park

Ronnette - Kelli Kopp of Countryside

Crystal - Katie McClatchey of Willowbrook

Voice of Audrey II - Joe Mills of Westchester

Seymour - Gonzo Schexnayder of Riverside

Chiffon - Emily Sharp of Chicago

Audrey - Jen Torchia of Lombard

CREW

Director - Eddie Sugarman of Western Springs

Music Director - Kyle Greer of Chicago

Stage Manager - Bill Rotz of Woodridge

Assist. Stage Man. - Rich Kropp of Glen Ellyn

Assist. Stage Man. - Dave Romito of Clarendon Hills

Assist. Stage Man. - Jonathan Kraft of Indian Head Park

Tech Director - Thad Hallstein of Chicago

Choreographer - Christie Kerr of Lombard

Costumes - Martha Niles of Chicago

Dramaturg - Rick Pavia of LaGrange Park

Hospitality - Joe Mills of Westchester

Lights - Ben Fallon of Western Springs

Lights - Laura Byrd of Hinsdale

House Manager - Mike Janke of Downers Grove

Makeup - Peggy Carlson of La Grange

Prod. Coord. - Mary Ellen Schutt of Westmont

Program Editor – Ed Barrow of Hinsdale

Program Editor – Debbie Angellilo of Oak Brook

Props – Eileen Crow of Hinsdale

Props – Darla Goudeau of La Grange

Publicity – Bill Hyland of Glen Ellyn

Puppeting Coach - Linda Roberts of Hinsdale

Set Construction – Jon Mills of Elk Grove Village

Set Design – Thad Hallstein of Chicago

Set Dresser – Janie Petkus of Hinsdale

Set Painting – Angelee Johns of Willowbrook

Set Painting – Sue Wisthuff of La Grange

Sound – Pat Politano of Brookfield

Sound Engineer - Ben Fallon of Western Springs

Box Office - Mary Ellen Schutt of Westmont

Submitted by the Theatre of Western Springs. Photo by Greg Kolack.