'Little Shop of Horrors' Manila cast ready to rock theater stage in July

New musical alert!

Heads up, theatergoers! "Little Shop of Horrors: A Bloodthirsty Musical Comedy" is all set to give a rollercoaster ride of laughter, chills, and sparks in Manila this July.

Manila-based theater company The Sandbox Collective will be staging the hit Broadway musical from July 6 to 28, starring Karylle, Nyoy Volante, and Reb Atadero. Actress Sue Ramirez will also make her theater debut in the musical.

"Little Shop of Horrors" is a love story— but not the usual kind. It is a dark, comedic tale where a shy florist discovers a peculiar plant with a taste for human blood, leading to hilarious and horrifying consequences.

According to actress and host Karylle, who will be playing the role of Audrey, the said musical has always been her favorite among all musicals.

“'Little Shop' has always been my secret, it’s my favorite but it has always been my secret since I was a kid and I am so excited that it is gonna be known by more people,” she said at the press conference held on Wednesday.   

"Different” and “flexible” are just among the words that the cast members used to describe the show.

They noted that with the rise of Philippine theater and Filipino artists, the entire production “will do its best to make it relatable to so many [in] every generation.”

“It’s interesting, since the Gen Z’s, especially in this day and age, have started to understand, to really call on abuse and the red flags. You’ll see it from far away. And if anyone is asking for this show [it] will remind you that people are around, and will be there for you,” said Markki Stroem, who plays the role of the villainous dentist Orin.

"Little Shop of Horrors" started as a low-budget film in 1960 and premiered at the WPA Theater in May 1982 with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman. It then opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theater in July of the same year. "Little Shop of Horrors" was remade into a popular film in 1986.

The off-Broadway production bagged accolades at the New York Drama Critics Circle Award (Best Musical), the Drama Desk Awards (Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Lyrics), and the Outer Critics Circle Awards (Best Off-Broadway Musical and Best Score).

Following its off-Broadway success, the musical had its Broadway revival in 2003, opening at the Virginia Theater. The Broadway production earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Hunter Foster) in 2004.

The Manila staging is in celebration of The Sandbox Collective's 10th anniversary. It will be directed by The Sandbox Collective’s managing artistic director Toff de Venecia, with musical direction by pianist and musical director Ejay Yatco.

“This show is really special to me and a lot of us, to me and Ejay and the team. We are all really excited to mount and stage this for you guys from July 6 to 28,” said director Toff.

Among the popular songs in the musical are, "Feed Me," "Dentist," "Skid Row," and "Suddenly Seymour."

Actors Reb and Nyoy will alternate in the role of Seymour, while Karylle and Sue will alternate in the role of Audrey.

Tickets are priced from P2,272 to P4,089.60 on Ticketworld.com and Ticketworld outlets nationwide.

It will run every weekend for the whole month of July at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News