Nine actors from all over the country come together in Roanoke to bring you the cult musical classic Little Shop of Horrors running October 4th-22nd on the Trinkle Main Stage at Mill Mountain Theatre. The show is based off the 1960 low-budget cult film directed by Roger Corman, starring Jonathan Haze as Seymour and Jackie Joseph as Audrey. The original Off-Broadway production ran for five years after its premiere at the Orpheum Theatre in 1982.
Producing Artistic Director, Ginger Poole, choreographs. “For the creative team, Little Shop was on all our bucket lists,” she says, “So it just makes sense this year to bring this to Roanoke.” Four of nine cast members are returning to Roanoke for this production, including Josh Walker who is on staff at Mill Mountain as a Resident Teaching Artist.
Starring as Seymour Krelbourn is Cole Smith, New York City native and graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Having performed regionally in The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), Bring It On (Randall), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius), and The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks (Norman) “My favorite part of this show has been working with this phenomenal cast.” says Smith, grinning. When asked about the cast, he replied “This whole group, you gotta see them!”
Returning to Roanoke after performing in Mill Mountain’s previous productions of Hairspray as Penny and The Music Of ABBA is Lindsay Nantz. Nantz will be starring as Audrey, the ‘gum-snapping, bleached-blonde secret love of Seymour’s life’. Regional credits include The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Pickles), The Secret Garden (Lily), Les Miserables (Cosette), Grease (Patty Simcox), and more.
Jason Marks* is delighted to be making his Mill Mountain Theatre debut with Little Shop of Horrors as Mr. Mushnik. New York: Young Edgar, Bound for Broadway, Broadway Gypsy of the Year (with Carol Channing). Regional: Holmes & Watson Save the Empire (Oregon Cabaret Theatre), The Producers (Park Playhouse), Shrek (New Stage Theatre), Hairspray (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre). Mr. Marks is an award-winning singer and actor. Awards include 2012 Theresa Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts, Richmond Magazine; 2010 Your Big Broadway Break winner, Staybridge Suites Times Square; two-time Artsie Award Winner, Richmond Theatre Critic’s Circle. *Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.
Recently graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory is Jordan Leigh McCaskill, playing Chiffon. This New Jersey native has played Addaperle in The Wiz, Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors, and a Dynamite in Hairspray; all performed at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Jordan hopes to continue to spread love, inclusivity, and acceptance through art whether she is performing, directing, or writing.
Originally from Detroit, Jenia Head is really excited to be at Mill Mountain Theatre and performing the role of Crystal in Little Shop. A recent graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, her professional credits include Sadie in Having Our Say, Ensemble in Rock of Ages and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Timberlake Playhouse and Tarzan at Jenny Wiley Theatre.
Troy Jackson is excited to take part in her first production at Mill Mountain Theatre as Ronette. A Florida native, Jackson’s regional theatre credits include Queenie u/s, Showboat; Motormouth Maybelle, Hairspray; Bloody Mary, Big River; Effie, Dreamgirls; and Ronnie, HAIR among others. She is also a part of the legendary Blues Brothers Show at Universal Studios Florida, where she appears as Mabel.
Reggie Bromell is thrilled to be returning to Mill Mountain Theatre as the Voice of Audrey Two after performing in Smokey Joe’s Cafe as Adrian. Tour Credits include: Pippin National Tour, and Memphis National Tour. Favorite Regional Credits include: Dreamgirls at North Shore Music Theatre, Memphis at Mason Street Warehouse, Sister Act at the Broadway Palm, and Shrek at the Dutch Apple. Reggie was also featured in the Hollywood film Magic Mike XXL as a dancer.
A recent graduate from William Peace University in Raleigh, NC is Josh Walker, the plant puppeteer. Originally from New Jersey, he began Musical Theatre while attending Howard. W. Blake High School of Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida. This summer he was seen throughout Roanoke in The Jungle Book as Bagheera and on Mill Mountain’s Waldron stage in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Mitch Mahoney. Some of his favorite roles include Samuel in Pirates of Penzance, Lymon in Piano Lesson, ensemble member in Sweeney Todd, and Garcin in No Exit.
Thrilled to be returning to the MMT stage from New York City is performer Nick Jones. Having performed in Best of Broadway: The Songs of the 2000s and last year’s productions of Smokey Joe’s Cafe and White Christmas in previous years. NY Credits: Oh, Kay (Musicals Tonight), The First Noel: A New Musical. 1st National Tour: Nice Work if You Can Get It. Regional: Mamma Mia (Sky), The Sound of Music (Rolf), Shrek.
Director Alicia Varcoe says “This cult favorite musical is sure to please our Roanoke Valley audiences- it’s equal parts funny, frightening and touching, and full of catchy songs. I’m thrilled to work with such a stellar cast to bring this musical to Mill Mountain Theatre for the very first time.”
Featuring a hit 1960s pop/rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, this smash-hit musical features the songs “Suddenly Seymour,” “Skid Row,” “Feed Me (Git It)” and many more. Little Shop of Horrors runs Oct 4th-22nd. Tickets range from $20-40 and can be purchased online or at the Center in the Square Box Office.
The production is Directed by Alicia Varcoe, Choreographed by Ginger Poole, Music Directed by Seth Davis, Stage Managed by Sammy Brown*, Scenic Design by Shannon Robert, Lighting Design by Bill Webb, Costume Design by Keith Schneider, Props by Jacob Foster, Sound Design by Tim Stanley, Technical Direction by Karen Gierchak, Scenic Charge by Ken Scar, Assistant Stage Managed by Hannah Bergere.
Rated: PG for Comical Violence – suitable for younger audiences
