Little Shop of Horrors is a darkly comedic musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, known for its campy style, catchy songs, and satirical take on greed, ambition, and consequences. However, the show also contains content that may not be suitable for all audiences.
Content Considerations
- Language: The script includes occasional use of mild profanity, including “damn,” “crap,” “freakin,” “God,” and “hell.”
- Drug Use: The character Orin Scrivello, a sadistic dentist, abuses nitrous oxide (laughing gas) in a campy, exaggerated manner.
- Violence & Domestic Abuse: Audrey is in an abusive relationship with Orin, which is portrayed in a heightened, stylized way but may still be difficult for some viewers.
- Fantasy Violence & Horror Elements: Audrey II, a human-eating plant, consumes several characters in a non-graphic but dramatic manner. There is a scene in which a character’s remains are fed to the plant.
Important Note About the Ending
Audiences familiar with the 1986 film adaptation should be aware that our production follows the original stage musical’s ending, which differs significantly from the movie’s conclusion. The stage version embraces a darker, more cautionary finale that aligns with the show’s satirical themes with Orin, Mushnik, Audrey and Seymour all eaten by the plant.