It was the little musical that could. First performing off-off Broadway in May, 1982 there was no telling LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS’ future. It would become one of the most successful musicals in history, launch the careers of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, and start the Disney Renaissance.
During the 2025 New York Comic Con back in October, Alan was on a panel with the cast of his latest production. The show has been going on Broadway for the last five years with the main leads usually changing every few months. At the time of the Con it was was Madeline Brewer as Audrey and Thomas Doherty as Seymour. Major Attaway was also in attendance who has been the voice of Audrey II for several years now.
When Alan was asked what his thoughts were of the reception when the show first opened it, he said it was of great relief and joked, “I can stop writing jingles.” Of course that would not be the case. He and his creative partner, Howard would go on to write long lasting jingles for classics like THE LITTLE MERMAID and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST to name a few.
He explained that he and Howard, who died in 1990, could never guess what it would lead. They wrote because they loved the arts and musical theater, and, “We wanted to pass it forward to the next generation and I think, we have.”
The inspiration behind this productions iconic music was an ode to the rock and pop music of the 1960s i.e. for the Dentist’s song, “Leader of the plaque,” it is an obvious riff to 1964’s “Leader of the Pack.” Alan explained that originally for the second act, they had written two ballads: Suddenly Seymour and We Have Tomorrow but realized they didn’t need it. They had to take one out and kept Suddenly Seymour in which is a fan favorite. The intimate song is when the two leads finally admit to each other that they love each other with an intimacy that makes everyone emotional, from the performers to the audience. “And underneath it all, it is also a traditional piece of musical theater,” Alan said. Madeline said, “The line, ‘he purified me’ I don’t know what to do so I usually just make it up the night of but I cry every time we sing that song.”
Thomas and Major agree the power of that song, admitting that it is a song that really solidified the popularity of the musical. At least in this version, Thomas jumps off a garbage can which led to him hurting his leg, having him missing 10 days of performing but he was back in time for the Con and for when I was able to see the musical.
For Major, he has played Audrey II before. Once in high school, “I sounded like this since age 12” and later for a theater in Texas. He joked, “I have grown from each performance, pun intended.”
There was a cute moment when Major did the famous line, “Feed me!” and a delighted Thomas said, “That was the first time I have ever seen you do it because I am always on stage with the puppet when you say it.” Major’s shared that one audience member let him know that she peed a little when he said those words and all he could say in response was, “thank you.”
Since Major has been working on the play the longest out of the actors in the panel, he shared that he changes his speech in his vowels to match Seymour’s speech. That was new information to even Thomas. He also explained that the synergy between actor and puppeteer is just just as important as the synergy between actors on stage. The lead puppeteer that works Audrey II in the second act, Teddy Yudain has been part of this production since it began five years ago.
When Alan was asked if there would ever be a sequel to this, he said, “Oh god no! Musicals shouldn’t really have sequels because it is very hard. It is very hard to redo music that makes a statement.”
A fun fact Alan shared was that when they were talking about making the film version back in 1986, Tom Cruise wanted to play Seymour but ultimately, they thought Rick Moranis was nerdier. “But having Tom interested was great validation!”
Before the panel ended, they shared their reasons why everyone should go see the musical live. Madeline said that the theater is so small and intimate, “You can see the tear roll down my cheek!” I went later that week, sitting in the middle, towards the back. and you know what? I could spot the tear at times when she turned her face and the light hit it!
Major pointed out that this musical, above many others, has passed the test of time. “The themes of this show bypass the time period of the show and they remain relevant. Plus, it’s a great Dad show too!”
I was able to go see the show and it was a delight. It is different from the film so I was surprised by what happens (I wont spoil it here if you don’t know, like how I didn’t). So if you have a chance to see it, go and see it! Here is the official website.
