Faust Theatre Opens 2018 Season with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Faust Theatre is wrapping up the 2016 -17 season that began with The Drowsy Chaperone by Bob Martin and Lisa Lambert, directed by Lily Nicholas, followed by a one-night only performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by Rachel Sheinkin and Willian Finn, and finished the year with the summer smash-hit of Heathers the Musical by Laurence O'Keefe, both directed by Zach Faust, the latter joined by Frederick Rivera.

Little Shop of Horrors is a "rarefied idea for musical comedy" (NY Times) by the late Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, whose long-time partnership included collaboration on God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (1979), The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty & the Beast (1991), and Aladdin(1992). Little Shop of Horrors is the first play of the current season, directed by Faust Theatre Producing Executive Director, Zach Faust; the production runs January 4 - January 7, 2018 at The Arts Asylum; tickets are on sale now.

About Little Shop of Horrors: The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination... through song! In this specific production, the use of a plant puppet is removed and replaced with the actress on stage. It's also been minimalized to a bare bones piece, stripping itself of glitz and glamor. Its concept calls on the tale of Dante's descent through the nine levels of Hell from "Dante's Inferno (The Divine Comedy)" as inspiration.

"Little Shop has a special place in my heart," says director, Zach Faust. "I've been in the production twice before - once as the Dentist, the other as Mr. Mushnik - and loved how bizarre it was when first being introduced. The style of campy comedy and the sardonic humor of the piece is what I identify with as a person; it's just a lot of fun, and also super dark. I remember thinking the idea of an alien plant from outer space coming to earth that ate people and tried to take over the world was funny to me."

Faust returns to the directing side after the successful summer production of Heathers the Musical, co-directing alongside Frederick Rivera. He has previously directed The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee with the company. This is the only Faust Theatre production he will direct this year; he will direct The Addams Family in the summer of 2018 at Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park.

Faust Theatre began in December of 2016 with The Drowsy Chaperone directed by Lily Nicholas, who also choreographed. She choreographed and starred in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in the following February.

The company broke records with Heathers the Musical in June of 2017, selling out their entire run. "[Faust] competes with the other acting companies in the Kansas City area and does not take a back seat to any," says KC Applauds.

Opening with Little Shop of Horrors directed by Zach Faust, the company will produce the Kansas City premiere of Band Geeks directed by Greg Shaw, at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center (April 12-15), followed by the one-night only A Very Musical Surprise directed by Bree Patterson (May 18). In the summer of 2018, Steven Eubank will direct Falsettos (June 14-24) at the Arts Asylum.

The cast of Little Shop of Horrors includes returning performers Bree Patterson (Heathers the Musical) as Audrey 2; and Daniel Verschelden (The Drowsy Chaperone (Music Director)) as Seymour. Making their Faust Theatre debuts, Abigail Becker as Audrey, Hewleek McKoy as Mr. Mushnik,Jacque Davidson as Orin Scrivello, Jenell Johnson as Crystal, Holly Jackson as Chiffon, and Amari Lewis as Ronnette;

The crew of Little Shop of Horrors includes Adee Dancy as Music Director, Randall Jackson as Assistant Director, Kenzi Parsons as Choreographer, Regina Lombardo as Assistant Choreographer, Gabrielle Andrew as Stage Manager, Catie Wolff as Assistant Stage Manager,Caleb McCarroll as Rehearsal Accompanist, Shantice White as costume designer, Breanna Rowe as lighting designer, and Neema Rafizedah as sound designer;

The band of Little Shop of Horrors includes Adee Dancy (Conductor), Caleb McCarroll (Keyboard 1), Jeremy Jacobs (Keyboard 2), Joe Donley(Bass), AJ Bonci (Guitar), and John Gilmore (Drums), with Raheem Fielder-Bey filling in on bass on opening night.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

January 4th - 7th, 2018

Thursday - 7:30pm

Friday - 7:30pm

Saturday & Sunday - 2:00pm & 7:30pm

For a complete listing of show times, please visit fausttheatre.com or faustlittleshop.eventbrite.com

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