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Theater Emory brings cult classic ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ to campus
Photos of actors in show

Cast members (l-r) Ashley Alves, Arianna Hardaway and Emma Ramos will play Ronnette, Crystal and Chiffon in Emory’s “Little Shop of Horrors” production this spring.

— Photo courtesy of Theater Emory. Photo by Casey Ford Photography, 2024.

Theater Emory brings the cult classic musical “Little Shop of Horrors” to the stage this spring, running at the Mary Gray Munroe Theater in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts from Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 21. The performance features Emory College students and Theater Emory, Emory University’s professional theater company.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is the story of meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn, who stumbles across a new breed of plant he names Audrey II after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down-and-out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s origins and intent toward global domination.

The last musical produced by the Emory University professional theater company was “The Boys of Syracuse” in 2016.

“Theater Emory is proud to be producing a musical after so many years,” says Caitlin Hargraves, Theater Emory co-artistic director. “Emory students have so much musical talent, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to showcase their many skills in ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ We’re also excited by the particular challenges that come with producing a musical, and grateful to have some of Atlanta’s top musical theater professionals at the helm.”

Director and choreographer Ricardo Aponte echoes Hargrave’s statement. 

I am thrilled to guide courageous and imaginative college students who will infuse fresh energy into the project. The show is wrapped in a witty B-movie horror setting and features the most iconic songs and characters in musical theater history,” says Aponte. “Our production aims to pay homage to its original incarnation while providing a fresh perspective.”

The cast includes Edmund Acquaah, Ashley Alves, Jared Block, Makalee Cooper, Fenner Eaddy, Julia Green, Arianna Hardaway, Tai Jackson, Jake Krakovsky, Noah Lian, Emma Ramos, Morgan Schatmeyer, David Seo and Joshua Williams.

Musicians include Holt McCarley, Stephen Cox, Brian Smith, Jen Hodges and Aaron Tyutyunik. Designers are Sara Culpepper, Ash Aiken, Sulaiman Rahman As-Salaam, D'Mya Tabron, Lillith Ragsdale and Tyehimba Shabazz.

“Little Shop of Horrors,” presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International, is based on a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, film by Roger Corman and screenplay by Charles Griffith.

Tickets are available on the Schwartz Center website or at the Schwartz Center box office. Directions and additional information can be found online or by calling the box office staff at 404-727-5050, Monday-Friday, 12-6 p.m. 

Emory University students can book up to two free tickets for this production by providing their Emory email during the check-out process. Students who book free tickets must present their student ID with their tickets at the performance.

The Emory community is also invited to a Creativity Conversation with “Little Shop of Horrors” star Jake Krakovsky 14C, who will perform as Audrey II in this production. Part of the Rosemary Magee Creativity Conversation series, the event takes place in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts Theater Lab at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 29. No tickets are required.


About Theater at Emory

Theater at Emory unites faculty and student research, integrating classroom and laboratory, to entertain and engage multiple communities. Theater at Emory encompasses the Theater Studies Program, Theater Emory, the Playwriting Center and Student Theater.

logo of Little Shop of Horrors


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