arts & entertainment

Riverside Theatre, led by Executive Producer/CEO Jon R. Moses and Artistic Director Allen D. Cornell, announces Little Shop of Horrors as the first production of the 2025–2026 season. Sponsored by Raymond & Sonia McGowan and Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers, Little Shop of Horrors plays on the Stark Stage from October 16 – November 9, 2025.

Little Shop of Horrors, the outlandishly funny science-fiction musical by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, is currently a major hit Off-Broadway. Featuring a pop/rock score, Little Shop tells the story of Seymour, a meek and dejected assistant at a flower shop who happens upon a strange plant on his way home. Discovering its limitless opportunities for fame and fortune, Seymour names the plant “Audrey II” after the girl he adores at the shop. As the plant grows, it develops an unquenchable thirst for human blood, and Seymour must find a way to win the girl while satisfying a plant with an agenda all its own.   

The story of a man-eating plant dates back to 1894 when author H.G. Wells wrote a short story titled The Flowering of the Strange Orchid. John Collier later added a darkly comedic element to the tale, and Arthur C. Clarke offered his own science-fiction take. Both of these later versions inspired Roger Corman’s 1960 B-movie film The Passionate People Eater, which was later renamed and released as The Little Shop of Horrors.

In 1982, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken adapted the film into the beloved musical we know today. The musical had its world premiere at the Off-Off-Broadway WPA Theatre in May 1982 and ran for a month before transferring to the Off-Broadway Orpheum Theatre that July. The production was a hit, running for five years and winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

The musical was later adapted into a 1986 film directed by Frank Oz, starring Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene as Seymour and Audrey. The Off-Broadway revival at the Westside Theatre is now entering its sixth year.

Riverside Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors is Directed and Choreographed by DJ Salisbury and stars Brian Golub (Seymour), Ruby Lewis (Audrey), Adam LaSalle (Orin Scrivello, D.D.S.), Allen Lewis Rickman (Mr. Mushnik), Bri Javis (Chiffon), Grace Ellis Solomon (Crystal), Harper Miles (Ronnette), Nicholas Ward (Voice of Audrey II), Clint Hromsco (Audrey II Puppeteer) and Malaika Wanjiku (Swing).

The production team includes Brent-Alan Hoffman (Music Director), Stephen Hulsey (Assistant Music Director), Kurt Alger (Costume & Wig Designer), Julie Duro (Lighting Designer), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer), Janine Wochna (Stage Manager) with Ingrid Pierson and Sarah Luedloff (Assistant Stage Managers). Set Elements are provided by The Music and Theatre Company. Casting was done in New York City by The Wojcik Casting Team.

Little Shop of Horrors performs October 16 – November 9, 2025 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Preview performances are October 16-19. Opening Night is October 21 at 7:30pm.  Tickets start at $50. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at http://www.riversidetheatre.com.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. 

Performance Schedule:

Previews:

October 16 @ 7:30pm

October 17 & 18 @ 8pm

October 19 @ 2pm

Opening Night

October 21 @ 7:30pm

Regular Performances:

October 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, November 1, 2, 5, 8 & 9 @ 2pm

October 22, 23, 29, 30, November 4, 5 & 6 @ 7:30pm

October 24, 25, 31, November 1, 7 & 8 @ 8pm

Little Shop of Horrors is sponsored by Raymond & Sonia McGowan and Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producer’s Group. Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.