If you are tired of chilling out this winter, why not go Somewhere Thats Green?
The fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta is currently featuring an all-new production of Little Shop Of Horrors running through February 6. Based on the 1960 Roger Corman film of the same name, Little Shop revamped the B-movie horror classic, adding a lot of humor and a set of songs that bring R&B, soul, rock and pop all together on one stage.
Set in Mushniks Flowershop on Skid Row, the story centers around Seymour Krelbourn and his love for fellow flower shop employee, Audrey. When a mysterious plant enters their lives, the sad, little world they inhabit gets turned on its head. The talking greenery constantly pleads Feed me! and Seymour does his best to oblige until the plant gets too large and the price gets too high.
Tari Kelly, who stars as the sweetly meek Audrey, has been receiving rave reviews for her performances. John Garcia of TalkinBroadway.com said she has terrific comic timing, pace, delivery and energy...Kellys singing is impeccable...an exquisite lilting soprano voice that melts you away.
Kelly started doing community theatre when she was 13 with plenty of encouragement from her supportive mother. Her first Broadway performance was in a revival of Showboat at The Gershwin in New York CIty. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Kelly moved to New York for the gig and has lived there ever since.
Her husband, whom she met during a theatre production is a musical director and a strong supporter of her career.
Hes so proud of me. Hes in the same business, so he understands the sacrifices. The singer/actress has been on the road since August of last year, travelling to L.A., Portland, Seattle, Houston, San Antonio, Nashville, and now Atlanta.
Kelly said the show features a hybrid of the original plant designed by The Jim Henson Workshop and Martin P. Robinson. The original weighed over 5 tons. It was too heavy and would break through the floor. The newer, sleeker model is more puppeteer friendly and a lot lighter.
Suffering the slings and talons of outrageous botany along with Kelly are Jonathan Rayson as Seymour Krelborn, Lenny Wolpe as Mr. Mushnik, James Moye as Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. and Michael James Leslie as the voice of Audrey II.
Rounding out the cast are, Georgia native LaTonya Holmes (Ronnette), Amina Robinson (Crystal) and Yasmeen Sulieman (Chiffon) along with puppeteers Michael Latini and Paul McGuiness.
Directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, Little Shop Of Horrors features scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by T. Richard Fitzgerald. Book and lyrics are by the late Howard Ashman and the music is by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin).
The musical ran for 2,209 performances at the Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway and was eventually made into a film in 1986 by Frank Oz starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin, returning to broadway in October of 2003.
Performance times are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.; the Sunday matinee is 1 p.m. and the Sunday evening show is at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available online at BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at 404-817-8700 or stop by the Fox Theatre box office or any Ticketmaster outlet. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. Call 404-881-2000 to place your group order.