Archived News |
July 19, 2007
VAPA receives original “Little Shop of Horrors” props
As Louisiana Lyric Opera prepares for its inaugural show with “Little Shop of Horrors,” the production will benefit from the July 18th arrival of Audrey II, the alien plant prop from the first Broadway production in 1982.
Â鶹ąű¶ł´«Ă˝ will use this original Broadway design by Martin P. Robinson, the puppeteer in the initial production.
Audrey II arrived by truck and consists of four plants that came in two crates—600 hundred pounds and 300 pounds, respectively.
After assembly, the four puppets will be operated by one puppeteer and two stagehands. The Audrey II voice will be done by an offstage actor synchronized with the movement of the puppeteer.
In the story the plant, actually a creature from outer space here to take over the world, starts very small and grows to a very large size by eating blood and people.
The opera takes place in the 1960s on a skid row in a large U.S. city. Three “down-and-out but loveable” characters dominate the plot: Mushnik, the owner of a florist’s shop; Seymour, an orphan he took in off the streets; and Audrey, his pretty young employee who dreams of a better life. Seymour finds the plant, which generates interest that helps business and changes everyone’s lives.
The show is full of satirical comedy, slapstick humor, 1960s style songs, and a surprise ending. The musical won several awards in 1983 and again in 2004. It is a satire of the original film, a 1950s science fiction farce of the same name.
Â鶹ąű¶ł´«Ă˝â€™s show will run from Aug. 1 – 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. in Spyker Theatre. Ticket price is $25. To reserve tickets, call VAPA at (318) 342-1414.
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