The last time Theatre Cedar Rapids presented “Little Shop of Horrors” was just a few months after the remake of the cult classic premiered in December 1986. Now, nearly four decades later, the horror-comedy musical returns for a fresh run — and the excitement is palpable.
Why ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Still Resonates
Artistic Director Angie Toomsen remembers the buzz surrounding the 1986 film version starring Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene.
“I was a little kid when the movie came out,” Toomsen said. “I was too young to see a musical like that, but being a Gen Xer, I saw a lot of content that I probably shouldn’t have seen. I understand why people love Little Shop of Horrors. It really is a bucket list show for me. Little Shop is so unique.”
Performance Details
What: Little Shop of Horrors
When:
Evenings at 7:30 p.m.: June 27–28, July 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
Matinees at 2:30 p.m.: June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27
Where: Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids
Tickets: $27 – $68
Box Office: (319) 366-8591 or theatrecr.org
The Story and Its Musical Legacy
At its core, Little Shop of Horrors is a darkly comic tale of Seymour, a down-on-his-luck florist who discovers a man-eating plant with a thirst for fame and flesh.
The music, composed by Alan Menken — renowned for Disney classics like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin — became a hit Off-Broadway and ran for five years. The show won Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Lyrics.
“It’s an amazing show,” said Raiya Hurt, who plays Audrey. “You can see why people keep coming back to it.”
Meet the Young Cast
Both leads — Samuel Larson (Seymour Krelborn) and Raiya Hurt (Audrey) — are just 19 years old but have long been fans of the show.
“This is a show I’ve wanted to do for a very long time,” Larson said. “Everyone knows and loves it.”
“It’s so technically complex,” Hurt added. “I didn’t expect that. It takes a team to make it look real and scary. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s working.”
A Vision Rooted in B-Movie Camp
Director Angie Toomsen draws inspiration from the original film and its roots in B-movie horror.
“Our production really leans into the world of camp and B-movie horror,” Toomsen explained. “We love the old B-movie posters. They allow us to tell the truth in a different way — challenging social norms in a lighter manner.”
A Historic Venue Celebrates 100 Years
The production coincides with a major milestone for Theatre Cedar Rapids: the 100th anniversary of the Iowa Theatre Building, established in 1925 by artist Grant Wood.
“The theater has its own history,” Toomsen said. “It was once a movie theater that would have shown B movies like Little Shop. It feels like the perfect home for this show.”
Menken’s Music: A Draw for All Ages
Though Larson and Hurt didn’t grow up with Little Shop, they were raised on Menken’s Disney soundtracks.
“I grew up with those Disney movies,” Larson said. “The melodies in Little Shop are just as catchy and amazing.”
Toomsen agrees the music is a huge part of the show’s enduring appeal.
“That classic sound from the ’50s and ’60s still goes over,” she said. “Even if you didn’t grow up with it, the harmonies, the fun, and the emotion stick with you. The songs — and the story — stay in your head forever.”
