Sneak Peek Inside the “Little Shop of Horrors”

Centreville residents looking for an entertaining way to get into the Halloween spirit are in for a treat this weekend. Friday and Saturday Oct. 28 and 29 mark the opening weekend of ’s fall show, Little Shop of Horrors.  

The comically scary musical features world-renowned songs composed in the vein of early Motown, doo-wop, and 1960s rock and roll. Little Shop of Horrors, originally performed off Broadway in 1982, tells the story of a forlorn skid row florist who suddenly becomes famous after discovering a gigantic man-eating plant.  

The musical, based on Roger Corman’s 1960 low-budget film of the same name, was written by playwright and lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken. Little Shop of Horrors was performed over 2,200 times between 1982 and 1987, and was then the third-longest running musical and the highest-grossing production in off-Broadway history. 

The Alliance Theatre’s rendition of Little Shop of Horrors is being produced by Dawne LeKang, who has been a member of the Centreville community theatre troupe since 2003. LeKang is confident that the famed musical will be a hit with local audiences. 

“The music is a lot of fun and we knew that the community would enjoy the show,” she said, “We picked the show because it is so much fun, it’s popular and it’s a perfect time for a ‘scary’ show.” 

LeKang is also excited to be working with a talented cast and crew. “The cast is going to blow you away,” she said, “They sound fabulous, have wonderful chemistry on stage and are wonderfully gifted actors.”  

Though LeKang warns that the musical’s talking, flesh-eating plant may be frightening for some younger viewers, Little Shop of Horrors is primarily a comedic piece that will have the whole family singing--and laughing--along. 

Performance Details 

The Alliance Theatre’s presentation of Little Shop of Horrors has a run time of approximately one hour and 45 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. 

Evening shows will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 28 and 29, and Nov. 4, 5, 11, and 12. One Sunday matinee show will be offered at 2 p.m. on Nov. 13. All shows will take place at .  

Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for seniors and children under 12. To purchase tickets, visit The Alliance Theatre website or call the box office at 703-220-8101. Groups of 10 or more are eligible to receive discounted tickets. 

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