Cult classic ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ returns to Theatre Cedar Rapids

The last time Theatre Cedar Rapids presented "Little Shop of Horrors" was 1998.

Theatre Cedar Rapids artistic director Angle Toomsen remembers all the hype over the revamped Roger Corman cult classic film from 1986, which starred 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 of Horrors’ is so unique."

"Little Shop of Horrors" returns for a run from June 20 to July 27 at Theatre Cedar Rapids. The offbeat show's story still connects with the mainstream.

The horror rock comedy musical's protagonist, Seymour, is a woebegone florist shop worker, who discovers a plant he cares for, feeds on human flesh and blood. The music, composed by Alan Menken, who became a Disney icon for his work on "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin," scored rave reviews Off-Broadway, where it ran for five years.

"Little Shop of Horrors" won Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Lyrics. A generation after ruling Off-Broadway and in London's West End, the quirky production is still popular.

"I'm ecstatic that our leadership team gave us the thumbs up to do this," Toomsen said. "I'm speaking for our creative team and our designers. We look forward to putting our own spin on this classic. We're going to have incredible fun with our own version. We're building our version with our wonderful and talented young people."

Samuel Larson, who portrays Seymour Krelborn, and Raiya Hurt, who is Audrey, are each 19 but have been fans of "Little Shop" for a few years.

"This is a show I've wanted to do for a very long time," Larson said. "I've always dreamed about doing a fun show like this where everyone knows and loves the show."

Hurt is as big of fan of the production as Larson.

"’Little Shop of Horrors’ has a love story at its center," Hurt said. "You can see why people keep coming back to it. It's an amazing show."

Hurt was surprised how difficult of a show it is to put on.

"It's so technically complex," Hurt said. "I didn't expect that. It takes a team to make it look real and scary. It's been a lot of hard work for the team, but it's working."

Toomsen, who is directing the production, acknowledges that the original film has had an impact on her vision.

"Our production really leans into the world of camp and B-movie horror," Toomsen said. "We love the old B movie posters. We love the history of B movies."

Speaking of history, Theatre Cedar Rapids, which is Iowa's largest nonprofit producing theater, is celebrating its 100th anniversary of the historic Iowa Theatre Building, which was founded in 1925 by artist Grant Wood.

"Our theater has been through a number of iterations since we moved into this building," Toomsen said. "The theater has its own history. It had been a movie theater, and it was the kind of theater that would have shown B movies, like 'Little Shop of Horrors.' I love B movies. They allow us to tell the truth in a different way, challenging social norms in a lighter manner."

Larson and Hurt didn't grow up with "Little Shop," but they came of age with the aforementioned Menken's music.

"I grew up with those Disney movies," Larson said. "The melodies from Menken are amazing in the Disney movies he worked on and with ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’"

Toomsen believes the music from "Little Shop of Horrors" is part of the attraction.

"The sound from the 50s and 60s still goes over," Toomsen said. "Look at ‘Jersey Boys.' That musical is incredibly popular. Even if you didn't grow up with the Four Seasons, you love those songs and the musical. That classic sound in ‘Little Shop' and the three or four part harmonies sounds great. The songs from the show are fun, and they stay in your head forever, and the same goes for the story, which is wonderful."