Portland, OR. There were big smiles at the Portland Center Stage opening night party from stars Gina Milo, who plays Audrey, and Nick Cearley, who plays Seymour. Portland Center Stage kicked off its 2016-2017 season at The Armory with the rockin’ sci-fi musical, Little Shop of Horrors which runs through October 16th.

THE MUSICAL With a score that is part rock ’n’ roll, part doo-wop and part Motown, Little Shop of Horrors is the story of the shy and love-struck florist’s assistant, Seymour, who finds fame, fortune and a whole lot more when he nurtures a strange little plant with a strong — and scary — thirst.

With a score that is part rock ’n’ roll, part doo-wop and part Motown, Little Shop of Horrors is the story of the shy and love-struck florist’s assistant, Seymour, who finds fame, fortune and a whole lot more when he nurtures a strange little plant with a strong — and scary — thirst.

Based on the darkly comic 1960 Roger Corman film of the same name, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (who also collaborated on The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and The Beast) created a unique musical that swept the Off-Broadway awards when it premiered at the Orpheum Theatre in 1982 (New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, Outer Critics Circle Award). In 1986, the musical was made into a film directed by Frank Oz. A revival of the musical debuted on Broadway at the Virginia Theatre in 2003.

Based on the darkly comic 1960 Roger Corman film of the same name, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken created this unique musical in 1982. In 1986, it was made into a film directed by Frank Oz.

Puppet fabricator, Rachel Peterson Schmerge and Portland Center Stage Creative Director, Chris Coleman

Lead Props Artisan and Puppet fabricator, Rachel Peterson Schmerge and Portland Center Stage Artistic Director, Chris Coleman celebrated the opening night of the PCS 10th anniversary season.

Members of the creative crew included Ava Steingrueber-Fagan, Alex Wren Meadows, Paula Buchert, Kathleen Reid and Barbara Casement.

Members of the creative crew included Ava Steingrueber-Fagan, Alex Wren Meadows, Paula Buchert, Kathleen Geldard and Barbara Casement.

Musical Supervisor Rick Lewis (most recently Ain’t Misbehavin’); Choreographer Kent Zimmerman

Musical Supervisor Rick Lewis and Choreographer Kent Zimmerman

Stan Foote is the Artistic Director of Oregon Children’s Theatre and Claudie Jean Fisher handles public relations for Portland Center Stage.

Here’s more information about the upcoming season:

Portland Center Stage’s 2016-2017 season marks the launch of the company’s Northwest Stories series and a season-long celebration for the 10th anniversary in the Gerding Theater at the Armory (and the 29th season in Portland). The Northwest Stories series – highlighting the history, culture and artists rooted in our own region – includes two world premieres: Astoria, based on the best-selling novel by Peter Stark and adapted by PCS Artistic Director Chris Coleman; and Wild and Reckless, a new musical event from local folk rockers, Blitzen Trapper. The Oregon Trail and Hold These Truths round out this season’s Northwest Stories offerings.

Kicking off the 2016-2017 season is the The Little Shop of Horrors. Other musical treats include Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, Lauren Weedman’s debut on the U.S. Bank Main Stage – backed by a rocking band – in Lauren Weedman Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and His Eye is on the Sparrow, a musical biography of Ethel Waters.

Two love stories close the season: Mary’s Wedding celebrates the resiliency of the heart in the Ellyn Bye Studio, and Constellations raises questions between choice and destiny – featuring Silas Weir Mitchell and Bree Turner (Monroe and Rosalee on NBC’s Grimm). Rounding out the season is a special engagement of The Santaland Diaries during the holiday season.

To purchase season tickets, call 503-445-3700 or visit www.pcs.org.

1 Comment

Marcia Turnquist on September 18, 2016 at 9:08 am

Saw opening night of “Little Shop” and it was fantastic, from the music and voice talent, to the sets, choreography, energy, acting and (an especially big bravo!) the puppetry. All exceptionally well done and loads of–dare I say it?–bloody fun.