Little Shop of Horrors performed by The Theatre Project

There will be a free performance of Little Shop of Horrors presented by The Theatre Project summer theatre camp on July 19 and 20 at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. The performance will start at 7 p.m. and the gates open at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available to purchase.

The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is at 5239 Floyd Road Mableton, GA 30126.

Based on a cheesy but fun 1960 low-budget movie

The musical Little Shop of Horror is based on Roger Corman’s low-budget cult movie favorite about a human-eating plant bred by a shy and awkward florist’s assistant named Seymour, who is in love with fellow employee Audrey.  Seymour names the plant Audrey II, and things quickly take a gruesome but comical turn.

The movie was notable for an early appearance by Jack Nicholson, who played a masochistic dental patient who had unnecessary work done on his teeth for recreation. “Now, no novocaine. It dulls the senses,” Nicholson’s character said in the movie.

The movie also features character actor Dick Miller, who was in a long string of Corman’s low-budget films, usually playing an unlikeable character.

The film cost $28,000 to make, even low by 1960 standards, and since Corman didn’t believe the film had any value beyond what his company could make on its first run, he never copyrighted it.

Musical first performed off-Broadway

The musical was first performed off-Broadway in 1982, and became a hit, making its debut on Broadway in 2003. The music was composed by Alan Menken, and the lyrics and book were written by Howard Ashman.

The Theatre Project

According to their Facebook page, “The Theatre Project is a community theatre experience for youth ages 9-19. Our mission is to provide a theatrical experience to Cobb County and Atlanta Metro-area youth with an emphasis on education.”

For more information visit the Facebook page for the event.