Little Shop of Horrors at Players by the Sea


Just in time for the Halloween season, Players by the Sea promises a hauntingly good time as it presents the musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” The show opens Oct. 27, and runs through Nov. 18, on the Jacksonville Beach community theater’s main stage.

One of Off-Broadway’s longest running shows, “Little Shop of Horrors” feeds the need for musical-theater hilarity. Created more than 30 years ago by the team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, the music is in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown.

The plot revolves around Seymour Krelborn, a meek floral assistant who stumbles across a bloodthirsty plant he names Audrey II, after the co-worker he has a mad crush on. The singing, carnivorous plant promises endless fame and fortune to Seymour — as long as he keeps feeding it.

Players’ production is directed by the talented Jocelyn Geronimo with music direction by Anthony Felton and choreography by Ashley Louise.

“’Little Shop of Horrors’ is such a classic, popular show that’s so entertaining,” Geronimo said. “We have such a talented, ambitious cast that’s going to put on a great show. People are going to love it.”

The cast includes a wonderful mix of familiar favorites along with several new faces to Players including James Webb III as Seymour and Jen Mercer as Audrey. Both actors are big fans of the musical and say they have really connected with their characters and each other.

“It would be really easy for this show to get campy and silly,” Mercer said. “We want it to be fun, but real. We are working really hard for it to be honest and real.”

They hope audiences will feel the trust the cast has developed with each other as well as their joy.

“The cast we have is amazing,” Webb said. “I get chills every time I hear everyone singing in harmony,”

The cast also includes Jazz Zamor as Audrey II, Matt Barnes as Mr. Mushnik, Rodney Holmes as Orin Scrivello, DDS, Assata Davis as Ronette, Felecia Ewing as Crystal, Shannon Johnson as Chiffon, and Brandon Hines as Shonnelle. Lauren Hancock, Ashley Harper and Lucas Kish appears as the ensemble.

During the run of “Little Shop of Horrors,” Players will be fundraising and collecting donations during the show for a theater beautification project. Proceeds will go toward green space improvements behind the theater.

Shows are offered Oct. 27 through Nov. 18. Curtain is 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. There will be 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows on Saturday, Nov. 11, and no matinee on Sunday, Nov. 12.

Tickets are $28, $25 for seniors, students and military. Thursday Night is Student Night. Half price admission with a valid student I.D. For information and tickets, call (904) 249-0289 or log onto www.playersbythesea.org.