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Contact: David West
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
7/7/98
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - It will be a finger-snapping good time for audiences when the NSU Summer Desert Theatre presents "Little Shop of Horrors" July 24 - August 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Theatre West. Tickets are $9.
The play tells the story of a floral assistant named Seymour whose craving for fame and fortune to seduce him into playing nursemaid to a man-eating plant. Events surrounding the plant's demands for more and more are accompanied by witty parodies of 60's music. Between bites the carnivorous Audrey II, named for Seymour's secret love, brings down the house singing rhythm and blues. "Little Shop of Horrors" is based on a Roger Corman film. The original version in the 1960's featured the screen debut of Jack Nicholson. Dr. Jack Wann and Chrissy Wright will co-direct. Wright will also be the choreographer.
"This play has a different feel than anything else I've done here," said Wright, who is working with Wann for the fourth summer. "It's more comtemporary. The audience will really enjoy it. The kids are having fun with it."
According to Wann, the play is built around the Ronnettes, a group modeled on the Supremes and other similar groups. The Ronnettes are in and out during the entire show providing commentary and other effects. The setting in Theatre West will also help the audience enjoy the play.
"The audience will be surrounded by the theatre. They will feel like they are part of the show. They will believe they are on skid row or in some of the other settings," said Wann. "We've also have built in a few surprises no one is expecting."
Wright says "Little Shop of Horrors" calls for a different type of choreography that appears deceptively simple.
"There won't be any great leaps or triple spins. The style of choreography will be very technical and true to the time," she said. "It will be like that used by the girl groups in the 60's. They used very precise movements."
The music also includes several styles.
"There will be swing, R&B and other styles," said Wright. "We will use steps that go with the style of music. Some of the dances will be serious and some will be quite silly."
The play and movie have been popular since the first version of the film was released more than three decades ago.
"Everybody made fun of Roger Corman, but he took himself seriously. That's why his movies became cult classics," said Wann. "They were cheesy, but he didn't see them as cheesy. When one of the actors is fighting off a plant that is trying to eat Cleveland, the actor actually has to believe he is doing that. You have to buy into the silliness. If the actor buys into the belief, the audience will too."
For ticket information on "Little Shop of Horrors," call (318) 357-6891.