NYBT TOP 30 BROADWAY AT MACY’S COUNTDOWN: #25 – LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

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Little Shop of Horrors / Suddenly, Seymour - 2003 - Macy's Thanksgivings Day Parade Performance
HAPPY HALLOWEEN BROADWAY FANS! We are only 25 DAYS till we start ringing in the holiday season with The 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. New York’s MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET has continued to be an ongoing support of our Broadway Theater scene. Throughout the years, there have been so many unforgettable critically acclaimed productions that wowed audiences on Thanksgiving morning which got more people to come see Live Theater (especially now that Broadway is back), We have more of this beloved shows coming your way on our TOP 30 BROADWAY AT MACY’S COUNTDOWN. Are you ready for another showstopper?
At #25 on our countdown is a musical that truly is getting us in the mood of Halloween today. You can consider this show as a horror comedy. We are about to take you to a downtown florist shop. We meet a nerdy hapless worker there that who raises a plant which turns out to be a MAD KILLING PLANT that eats human blood and flesh. Welcome to the….. Little Shop of Horrors. Based on a 1960 black comedy film, the musical features a beloved score by Alan Menken and lyrics from a book by the late Howard Ashman.
From the 2003 NBC telecast, Tony nominees Hunter Foster as “Seymour”, Kerry Butler as “Audrey”, that monstrous eating plant himself “ Audrey II”, and The Urchins themselves of that year’s ON Broadway debut production performing a medley of the show’s title song and the beautiful SUDDENLY SEYMOUR.
The show originally began its life OFF-OFF BROADWAY performing at the Workshop of the Players Art Theatre in the Spring of 1982. It was a smash hit that was moved to OFF BROADWAY playing the Orpheum Theatre a few months later where it ran for 5 years and 2,209 performances. A plan for the show for an ON BROADWAY transfer was initially made for the original 1982 production but Ashman decided to keep it where it belongs. Under the direction of Howard Ashman himself, the cast consisted of…
Lee Wilkof as “Seymour”,
Ellen Greene in her signature role as “Audrey”,
Franc Luz as “Orin Scrivello, DDS” and others.
and
Ron Taylor as the voice of the man-eating plant himself “Audrey II”
The original production received numerous New York Theater Awards including the Drama Desk for OUTSTANDING NEW MUSICAL and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for BEST MUSICAL.
Following the success of the show’s New York Premiere, it made its way to London’s West End and Australia becoming a hit there.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS did not officially make its ON Broadway Debut until 2003. Following an out-of-town tryout in Florida that spring, the production made its way into the Virginia Theatre (now the August Wilson Theatre) where it ran for a complete total of 412 performances. Under the direction of Jerry Zaks and a newly worked puppet from The Jim Henson Company, this cast consisted of….
Hunter Foster (later Joey Fatone) as “Seymour”,
Tony nominee Kerry Butler (later Jessica Snow Wilson) as “Audrey”,
Tony nominee Douglas Sills (later Robert Evan) as “Orin Scrivello, DDS”,
and
Michael Leon Wooley as the voice of “Audrey II”.
The production was nominated for only 1 Tony Award category in 2004 for BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Hunter Foster) but lost the category.
In addition, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS was most recently performed as a week long concert production for New York City Center Encores in 2015 as part of their Off-Series season. Under the direction of Dick Scanlan, this cast featured….
Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal as “Seymour”,
Ellen Greene reprising her iconic role as “Audrey”,
Saturday Night Live favorite Taran Killam as “Orin Scrivello, DDS”,
and
Eddie Cooper as “Audrey II”.
The current revival of Little Shop of Horrors is back in the Big Apple with a critically acclaimed production OFF BROADWAY playing the Westside Theatre on 43rd Street. With a triumphant debut in the Fall of 2019, the show would be put on halt in March 2020 (like most NY Theater shows) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was halted for 18 months before reopening last month in September 2021 where it continues to play to packed houses every night. Under the direction of Michael Mayer, this cast is led by…..
Tony nominee Jonathan Groff (later Gideon Glick and currently Jeremy Jordan) as “Seymour”,
Emmy winner and Tony nominee Tammy Blanchard as “Audrey”,
Tony winner Christian Borle as “Orin Scrivello, DDS”,
and
Kingsley Leggs (later and currently Aaron Arnell Harrington) as “Audrey II”.
This current revival was nominated for various Awards including the Drama Desk (winning 2 for OUTSTANDING MUSICAL REVIVAL and OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Christian Borle), a Lucille Lortel Awards (winning 1 for OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Christian Borle), the Drama League Award (winning the top honor for OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL – ON OR OFF BROADWAY), and being an honoree for all 5 of its categories at the Outer Critics Circle Award (including OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL). The cast album would also be nominated for a Grammy Award for BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ALBUM earlier this year.
Along with its success on stage, the show was an iconic cult-film classic in 1986 from Warner Bros. Pictures. Under the direction of Frank Oz, the cast consisted of…
Rick Moranis as “Seymour”,
Ellen Greene reprising her stage role as “Audrey”,
Steve Martin as “Orin Scrivello, DDS”,
and
Levi Stubbs as the voice of “Audrey II”.
The film was nominated for 2 Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Original Song (for one of the new songs Menken and Ashman wrote specifically for the film entitled MEAN GREEN MOTHER FROM OUTER SPACE). It lost both the categories.
FUN FACT: The new film song MEAN GREEN made history as the first Oscar-nominated song to contain profanity in the lyrics and thus had to be slightly censored for the telecast.
Doesn’t this musical make you feel SCARED SILLY?!!

ON THE MARQUEE: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS revival is back!!!

ON THE MARQUEE: With Live Theater back, things are getting back into the spooky groove in time for Halloween. One of the hottest tickets right now back is the current Award winning revival of Little Shop of Horrors (currently led by Jeremy Jordan, Tammy Blanchard, and Christian Borle).
Check out the updates on the front of house billboards outside the show’s home at the Westside Theatre. Getting us into the vibe of SKID ROW.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a notice outside the Theatre reminding all those who plan to see the production, sadly there is NO post-show stage door at this time. This is for all of SKID ROW’s health and safety. No ranting and NO FEEDING THE PLANTS!!!
Thoughts?
Who has seen this revival of LITTLE SHOP?
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Greetings from Tour Guide Mike; Back in NYC since March 2020!!!!

Hey everyone, it’s one of our friendly neighborhood musical tour guides Mike….. After 594 away from the GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD, I am back. We are so excited to relaunch our Walking Guided Tours next month. Broadway’s back!!! Book your tickets NOW!!!
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FIRST LOOK: Disney’s WINNIE THE POOH debuts on the NY Theater Stage!!!

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Last night, one of the most beloved characters made the big jump from THE HUNDRED ACRE WOOD to the New York Stage. We are talking about Disney’s brand new Off Broadway stage musical adaptation of the classic tale of Winnie the Pooh. Created by Jonathon Rockefeller, it debuted last night at Theatre Row with an overwhelming response by the sold out audience.
Get ready to experience the timeless adventures of that beloved WILLY NILLY SILLY OL’ BEAR and his friends like never before. The show features life-size puppetry of the notable characters we all know and love from “Pooh”, “Christopher Robin”, “Eeyore”, “Kanga”, “Roo”, “Rabbit”, “Piglet”, “Owl”, and yes….. everyone’s favorite bouncing tiger himself “Tigger” too…. HOO, HOO, HOO, HOO. The show is an original story with many of the beloved tunes from the various WINNIE THE POOH’s various movies and TV shows.
Welcome to the Great Bright Way WINNIE THE POOH!!!
How stunning does this look?!!!

A COMMERCIAL JINGLE FOR REGINA COMET wows Off Broadway audiences; Extended now till November 21st, 2021

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Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of Broadway’s best have been starting to expand their creativity making shows of their own. One of the most talked about shows right now is a new musical comedy called A Commercial Jingle For Regina Comet.
The show was created by 2 familiar Broadway favorites….
Alex Wyse (Broadway’s Deaf West Spring Awakening, and Waitress, Off Broadway’s bare: the musical, and the National Tour of WICKED)
and
Ben Fankhauser (Broadway’s Newsies and the National Tour of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical)
This new musical tells the story of two aspiring songwriting composers with a day job composing jingles for commercials. They both are struggling to make it out in the big world. However, everything changes when they randomly get picked from obscurity by a world-famous pop star. Their assignment is to create an anthem for her supernova vocals… and her new perfume fragrance. Along the way, they discover making your dreams a reality comes when you least expect it.
Under the direction of Marshall Pailet, the cast features….
Wyse and Fankhauser themselves playing the 2 aspiring composers
and
Broadway favorite Bryonha Marie Parham (Broadway’s RAGTIME, Porgy and Bess, After Midnight, Prince of Broadway and The Book of Mormon, and the National Tour of Falsettos) as the titular role of “Regina Comet”.
The production recently began performances last month OFF Broadway at the Daryl Roth Theatre‘s DR2 Theatre. Now due to an overwhelming response, the show recently has been extended now through November 21st, 2021!!
How exciting is this?
Who has seen this show?!!

THE MIDTOWN MEN (featuring original cast members from JERSEY BOYS) reunite and embark on Holiday Hits concert tour this year!!

May be an image of text that says '"THE MIDTOWN MEN HAVE ARRIVED!" -STEVIE VAN ZANDT Holiday Hits "THE REAL DEAL!" -TOMMY JAMES LIVE NCONCERT "SUPERB...BRAVO! -PAULANKA ANKA "RAT-PACK INSPIRED. MUSICAL BROTHERHOOD!" -NY DAILY NEWS "TERRIFIC ROCK ROLL!" -SIRIUS/XM RADIO THE MIDTOWN MEN STARS FROM THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST OF JERSEY BOYS' BREAKING NEWS: Get ready to WALK LIKE A MAN and ring in THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. It has just been announced that The Midtown Men are making their way back on the road with a brand new concert tour bringing the magic of the holiday season with a 1960’s vibe.

Their new HOLIDAYS HITS concert will feature spectacular rock n’roll updated takes on your favorite Christmas songs given that classic 1960’s style. You can also expect some notable tunes from Jersey Boys and so much more of the best from the 60’s. The tour will be a mix of shows with their touring band and some of the world’s biggest symphony orchestras.

The tour will kick off November 28th, 2021 in Notre Dame, IN before making their way to the following cities….

Red Bank, NJ
Clinton Township, MI,
New Wilmington, PA,
Toledo, OH,
Englewood, NJ,
Elyria, OH,
New Philadelphia, OH,
and
Costa Mesa, CA.

In case anyone may not know, THE MIDTOWN MEN is a cover band that pays tribute to the greatest hits of music from the 1960’s. It’s made up of 4 members from of the original Broadway cast of the Tony and Grammy winning smash hit Jersey Boys. This consists of….

Michael Longoria (OG Joe Pesci, alternate & 1st Broadway replacement “Frankie Valli“)

Daniel Reichard (OG “Bob Gaudio“),

Tony winner Christian Hoff (OG “Tommy DeVito“),

and

Tony nominee J Robert Spencer (OG “Nick Massi”)

Don’t miss THE MIDTOWN MEN in a city near you giving some holiday cheer.

Who is excited?!!!