Books & Lyrics by Howard Ashman

Music by Alan Menken

Based upon the film by Roger Corman

There are shows like Oklahoma and Oliver that everyone knows and loves, and there are shows too numerous to mention that have fallen by the wayside. There are shows that have gone on to run and run, seemingly forever, and then there are cult shows which brings in thousands of the most unlikely fans to every performance. Little Shop of Horrors belongs firmly in the cult section of this list. The show is based on the Roger Corman B-movie of the same name from 1960 and one of the theatre's most perennially popular shows. But why?

In part, it must be said that the show parodies a little bit of everything: the movies, the Faustian legend, and rock and roll. All provide kindling to get this production burning. Another of its endearing aspects is the total innocence of the main characters, who are completely taken in by the strange plant that just happens to turn up. Children especially love it because of two things: first the puppetry which brings the various incarnations of the plant to life, and secondly that the plant turns out to be so absolutely horrible, just like a Roald Dahl villain - and kids adore it!