Sierra Stages Presents LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS This Summer

Sierra Stages continues its 2016 season with the devilishly delightful hit musical "Little Shop of Horrors" at the historic Nevada Theatre in Nevada City this summer from July 14 through August 6. "Little Shop of Horrors" is one of the most popular musicals of all time-the show debuted off-Broadway in 1982 and ran for five years, was made into a popular and memorable film (starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin) in 1986, premiered on Broadway in 2003, and has received thousands of professional and amateur productions over the past 35 years. The Sierra Stages production is directed by Robert Rossman, with musical direction by Ken Getz. The set and lighting design is by Erin Beatie and costume design is by Jill Kelly. The cast includes Nevada County actors Jay Barker, Audrey Delgado, Nancy Haffey, Jackie Kolenko, JR Lewis, Ken Miele, Tracy Nickle, Conor Nolan, and Kim Wellman.

Over the past several years, Sierra Stages has presented a broad range of plays and musicals, including a popular summer show (usually a musical) at the historic Nevada Theatre. Said Sierra Stages board member Peter Mason, "We thought long and hard about an appropriate follow-up to last summer's sold-out production of 'The Producers' and decided almost immediately to do 'Little Shop of Horrors' when it was suggested by one of our board members."

"Little Shop of Horrors" is popular because it is so fun to put together and so entertaining to watch as an audience member. The music by Alan Menken is an amalgam of Broadway and 60s rock and roll, with clever twists and turns; and the lyrics by Howard Ashman are straight forward and accessible. The story is engaging as Seymour, a down-and-out floral assistant who longs to get the girl of his dreams and escape life on skid row, becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving that offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite.

"As a bonus, 'Little Shop of Horrors' fits in with and complements the other plays and musicals we are presenting this year," said Mason. "Our eighth season leans a bit to the serious side: This spring, we presented 'The Cripple of Inishmaan' (a dark comedy) and 'The Last Five Years' (a musical which chronicles the relationship between two individuals who are not in sync), and this fall we are presenting 'Dead Man's Cell Phone' (a comedy which opens with a dead man sitting in a cafe?). 'Little Shop of Horrors' is certainly the least serious of all these shows - on the surface it is a totally enjoyable, entertaining, popular musical comedy that makes fun of 1950's America (including its B-movie horror and science fiction films), while underneath there lurks a strong morality tale about the consequences of giving into temptation."

Performances of "Little Shop of Horrors" begin on July 14 and continue through August 6 on Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM. The first two performances on July 14 and 15 are lower-priced "previews" with $15 General Admission. For all other performances, General Admission is $28. For audience members who prefer to select specific seat locations in advance, $35 Reserved Seating is available for all performances. General Admission and Reserved Seating tickets may be purchased online at www.SierraStages.org with no fees of any kind. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Sierra Stages at 530.346.3210 and at the door beginning one hour before each performance (subject to availability). $15 Student Rush tickets are also available at the door beginning 1?2 hour before each performance (subject to availability) for students age 25 and under with a valid student ID.

Sierra Stages is a tax-exempt nonprofit community theatre based in western Nevada County with a mission to provide quality productions that are affordable and accessible to everyone. Since it began in 2008, Sierra Stages has presented 28 plays and musicals and has been recognized by the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance with six Elly Awards and 53 Elly Award nominations. The annual Elly Awards honor outstanding achievements of community theatres and artists in the greater Sacramento area. For more information about Sierra Stages, visit www.SierraStages.org.

Photo Credit: David Wong

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