Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the second production of its 2024 season, Little Shop of Horrors, in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, October 24 - November 17. Little Shop of Horrors, with music by Howard Ashman and book and lyrics by Alan Menken, is directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan, choreographed by Reneisha Jenkins and music directed by Linda Madonia. The schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. with a press opening Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., with additional performances on Saturdays, Nov. 2, Nov. 9 and Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now on sale from $19.50 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.
The frighteningly fantastical musical arrives just in time for Halloween to make audiences scream with laughter. From the award-winning duo of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin), Little Shop Of Horrors is a sci-fi horror comedy meets love story meets rock musical as a carnivorous plant from outer space takes over meek Mushnik's Flower Shop employee Seymour’s life and threatens to ruin his hope of finding love with his secret crush, Audrey.
The cast of Little Shop of Horrors includes, in alphabetical order: Kiana Beverly(she/her, Chiffon); Michaela Dukes (she/her, Ronnette/dance captain); Jimmy Hogan (he/him, Seymour Krelborn); Sam Nachison (he/him, Orin Scrivello); China Orr (she/her, Crystal); Najee Musiq Rawls (he/him, Audrey II): Thomas M. Shea (he/him, Mr. Mushnik); Kayla Shipman (she/her, Audrey); Alex Villaseñor (he/him, puppeteer); with Andrew John Baker (he/him, Seymour and Orin U/S); Kaitlin Feely (she/her, Audrey U/S); Samira Jasmine (she/her, Urchins U/S); Andrew Lund (they/them, Audrey II puppeteer U/S); Ellie Mungo (she/her, Urchins U/S) and David Taylor (he/him, Audrey II U/S).
Little Shop of Horrors’ creative team is Kyle A. Dougan (any with respect, director); Reneisha Jenkins (she/her, choreographer); Linda Madonia (she/her, music director); Amber Wuttke (she/her, fight choreographer); Elena Patterson (they/she, intimacy choreographer); Kathy Logelin (she/her, dialect coach); Nathan Lamp (they/she, dramaturg); Andrew Lund (they/them, puppet trainer); Carli Shapiro (they/them, stage manager); Katie Meine (she/her, assistant stage manager and company manager); Shane Cinal (he/him, scenic designer); Ellen Markus (she/her, props designer); Rachel M. Sypniewski (she/her, costume designer); Kristen Brinati (she/her, wardrobe head); Alice Salazar (she/her, hair/wig/makeup co-designer); Melanie Saso (she/her, hair/wig/makeup co-designer); Andrew Meyers (he/him, lighting designer); Cameron Koniarski (he/him, master electrician); Chelsea Lynn (she/her, board programmer); Matthew R. Chase (he/him, sound designer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, production sound engineer); Abbey Nettleton (they/she, head audio/A1); Reve Smith (they/them, wardrobe crew); Andersonville Scenic Studios (scene shop) and Chris Chase (he/him, production manager).
“Behind the Curtain with Thomas M. Shea”
Immediately following the Sunday, October 27 and November 3 matinees, audiences may join musical theater historian Thomas M. Shea, author of “Broadway’s Most Wanted,” for a post-show talk exploring the behind-the-scenes history of LIttle Shop of Horrors.
Binny’s Broadway Lounge
Music Theater Works’ Donors of any level and subscribers are welcome to access Binny’s Broadway Lounge before the performance and at intermission of Little Shop of Horrors. Binny’s Broadway Lounge, sponsored by Binny’s Beverage Depot, is located on the second floor at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie and offers complimentary drinks and snacks and does not require reservations. The Lounge is available during Little Shop of Horrors, Wednesday, Oct. 30 (opens at 1 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 2 (opens at 6:30 p.m.).
ASL Interpreted Performance
The Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. performance will be ASL interpreted.
ABOUT KYLE A. DOUGAN, DIRECTOR
Kyle Dougan worked as casting associate and events manager for Music Theater Works, and rejoined the company in 2018 as producing artistic director, following a two-year stint in academia. He relocated to Chicago in 1999, after completing his Masters in Musical Theatre at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he produced and directed a workshop of new musicals. He also stage managed a series of new musicals with Perfect Pitch: New Musicals at Trafalgar Studios. In the Chicago area Dougan has directed, associate-directed and assistant-directed shows for Chamber Opera Chicago, Theatre at the Center, Big Noise Theater and The Music Theatre Company. He has served as artistic producer of a series of new musicals with Midwest New Musicals, as executive director of FWD Theatre Project and as co-owner of Style Theatrical Casting, a professional casting company in Chicago.
ABOUT RENEISHA JENKINS, CHOREOGRAPHER
Reneisha Jenkins is excited to work with Music Theater Works on Little Shop of Horrors. Some of her recent Chicagoland choreography credits include Taste of Soul and The Real Housewives of Motown at Black Ensemble Theater. Other production credits include Once on this Island at Beck Center - Cleveland (assistant to the choreographer), Clear at Porchlight Music Theatre (director), Sister Act at Mercury Theater Chicago (director - Jeff nomination) and Working at Theo Ubique (co-director). She has also performed regionally at Drury Lane Theatre, Writers Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Porchlight Music Theatre, was the coach of Bradley University's Varsity Dance Team and was the founder and choreographer of NFINIT Hip Hop Dance Troupe.
ABOUT LINDA MADONIA, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Linda Madonia is thrilled to be back at Music Theater Works where she has previously worked on Shrek the Musical, Mamma Mia! and Camelot. Other recent projects include; Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and Sister Act at Mercury Theater Chicago. Anything Goes, Cabaret and A Chorus Line at Porchlight Music Theatre. Madonia also serves as the contractor for the Chicago Federation of Musicians for Porchlight Music Theatre, Music Theater Works and Teatro Zinzanni. She is the vocal coach for the master’s degree program in music theatre pedagogy at Carthage College and owns American Eagle Productions, which has been at the forefront of theatre education in the Chicago area for the past 35 years.
COMING UP FROM MUSIC THEATER WORKS
Music Theater Works’ 2024 season concludes with Legally Blonde: The Musical, December 19 – 29. All performances are at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd.
Music Theater Works 2025 Season
Music Theater Works announced its 2025 season in August. The 45th season includes Guys and Dolls, March 6 - 30, 2025; Fiddler on the Roof, August 7 - 17, 2025; Godspell, October 23 - November 16, 2025 and a fourth production to be named running December 18, 2025 - January 4, 2026. Current season ticket holders may renew for the 2025 season now with new subscription sales available beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. and single tickets for all the 2025 productions go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 at 12 p.m. For more information on the 45th season go to MusicTheaterWorks.com.
ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS
Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in 1980. During its 44-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics.
JOYCE SAXON is the 2024 Music Theater Works Season Sponsor.
Music Theater Works presents
Little Shop Of Horrors
October 24 - November 17
North Theatre
North Shore Center For The Performing Arts In Skokie
9501 Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60077
Music by Howard Ashman
Book and lyrics by Alan Menken
Directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan
Choreographed by Reneisha Jenkins
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
Show dates and times:
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Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. (preview)
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Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. (OPENING PERFORMANCE)
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Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
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Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. (post-show discussion: “Behind the Curtain with Thomas M. Shea”)
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Wednesday, Oct, 30 at 2 p.m. (Binny’s Broadway Lounge opens at 1 p.m.)
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Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. (Binny’s Broadway Lounge opens at 6:30 p.m.)
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Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. (post-show discussion: “Behind the Curtain with Thomas M. Shea”)
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Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.
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Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. - ASL Interpreter
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Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.
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Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
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Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
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Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $19.50 to $106, tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available for half- price.
Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300
Website: MusicTheaterWorks.com
Run Time (currently): Two hours and 30 minutes including the intermission.