Houston's Alley Theatre has extended its presentation of the Howard Ashman-Alan Menken musical, Little Shop of Horrors, until Aug. 14. The show, which opened July 7, after previews from July 2, was originally planned to run through Aug. 1.
Little Shop is part of the "SummerChills" series, Alley's annual summertime series of lighthearted productions at lower prices, geared towards the entire family. The series is presented with funding by Exxon Oil.
For the production, director Gregory Boyd (Alley's artistic director) has reunited the original designers of the 1982 off-Broadway hit: Edward Gianfrancesco (sets), Sally Lesser (costumes) and Martin Robinson (plant designer).
Marguerite Derricks, who created choreography for the two "Austin Powers" movies, choreographs Little Shop. Her other movie credits include "Never Been Kissed" with Drew Barrymore and "10 Things I Hate About You," as well as stagings for the MTV Movie Awards.
Based on the cult-classic 1961 Roger Corman film, Little Shop of Horrors captures the "B" movie genre by telling the story of a nerdy floral shopworker who discovers a venus fly trap-esque plant from outer space and uses it to get the girl he pines for. Call (713) 228-9341 for tickets.
--By Sean McGrath and Robert Simonson