In the world of theatre monsters, few are as instantly recognizable as Audrey II, the bloodthirsty botanical villain from “Little Shop of Horrors.” But at the Nocturne Theatre, this iconic creature has undergone a fascinating evolution that sets this production apart from traditional stagings of the beloved musical.
I recently sat down with Justin Meyer, Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Nocturne Theatre, to discuss their innovative approach to bringing this man-eating plant to life in their theatre-in-the-round setting.
Alien Roots: A Fresh Take on a Classic Monster
“A big twist we wanted to work into our version of this particular show was to start off in this standard version of it being this pod style, Venus Fly Trap plant. But then as it grows, we wanted to start stripping back the plant elements of it and reveal more of the alien underneath,” Meyer explains.
This concept draws heavily from the production’s B-movie horror origins. Meyer and his team looked to Roger Corman’s creature designs and alien movies from the 1950s through the 1980s for inspiration, particularly citing the influence of Ridley Scott’s “Alien.” This inspiration becomes evident in details like glowing red eyes that appear near the end of the first act – a feature that, as I pointed out, plants certainly don’t possess.
360-Degree Monster Making
Creating Audrey II for a theatre-in-the-round setting presented unique challenges. Traditional productions can hide mechanisms and puppeteers behind a stationary plant facade, but the Nocturne Theatre needed a solution that would work from every angle.
“A big challenge for us was to design these big puppets and these big creatures, have them function, have them be able to eat, but also be able to be seen 360 degrees by our audience,” Meyer says. “Not cheat out on anybody’s experience by having to look at the back of the plant or watch somebody scuttle away backstage.”
Their solution? A fully mobile Audrey II that tours the entire stage, bringing the monstrous plant mere feet away from audience members.
“When that third Audrey puppet comes out, I decided, you know what? I’m just gonna take it for a ride. I’m not gonna bother trying to stage it all crazy and I’m just gonna literally put it on a wagon. We’re just gonna wheel it around the stage and let the audience just like love on it, because that’s what you came to see. You came to see that plant sing and eat people, and that’s exactly what we’re gonna give you in this production.”
The Team Behind the Monster
Creating such ambitious puppets required exceptional talent. Meyer credits creature designer Tanya Cyr for the overall design concept, while a Hollywood foam fabricator helped create surprisingly lightweight puppets despite their massive scale.
“Our puppeteer, Darius Frye, did an amazing job bringing these plants to life,” Meyer adds. “He is a highly trained puppeteer, and he gives these inanimate objects absolutely crazy life when they come to life.”
The puppets needed to be large enough to convincingly “eat” performers while remaining maneuverable and visible from all angles – no small feat in theatrical design.
A Theatre Company With Bite
The Nocturne Theatre’s approach to “Little Shop of Horrors” aligns perfectly with its overall aesthetic. As Meyer explains, “At the Nocturne Theatre, we like to do a little bit edgier, darker, sort of spookier shows. That’s kind of the way our theatre company leans.”
This production holds special significance for Meyer personally. “When I was a little kid, this was one of the very first musicals I ever saw. I was exposed to the movie at a very young age… and it was an amazing movie. I’ve had this desire to do Little Shop of Horrors ever since I was a little kid. This is the first time I’ve ever done it.”
Talent That Matches The Monsters
While the technical achievements of the production are impressive, Meyer is equally enthusiastic about the cast’s performances.
“The incredible talent of this cast is out of control.. We had over 600 people audition for the shows this year and got the best of the best to be able to come in and do this show. The talent in this production is Broadway caliber.”
This level of quality is particularly important given the technical constraints of performing with pre-recorded tracks rather than a live band. “Everything’s tracked. You have to be exactly on,” Meyer notes, highlighting the precision required from the performers.
Looking Ahead: More Monsters on the Horizon
Fans of the Nocturne Theatre’s creature-centric approach to theatre have more to look forward to. Their upcoming season continues the monster theme with “Shrek the Musical” and “Dracula the Musical,” a Frank Wildhorn production that Meyer notes “doesn’t get done very often.”
An Immersive Experience
What truly sets this production apart is the immersive approach the Nocturne Theatre has taken with their theatre-in-the-round setup. The experience begins before the show officially starts, with the residents of Skid Row entertaining guests as they wander through the lobby and seating areas, immediately establishing the world of the show.
When Audrey II makes its appearances, the plant is purposefully pulled throughout the stage, bringing the monstrous creation within arm’s reach of audience members. This directional choice transforms what would typically be a distant theatrical experience into something closer to a haunted attraction, where the threat feels immediate and personal.
Cast Information
The 2025 production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Nocturne Theatre features:
- Jett LaFever as Audrey
- Aaron Ellis as Seymour
- Connor Bullock as Orin Scrivello, DDS
- Craig Sherman as Mr. Mushnik
- Cameron Jackson as Chiffon
- Dara Adedara as Crystal
- Auriana Chisholm as Ronnette
- Bedjou Jean as Skid Row Derelict
- David Gallic as Audrey II (Voice)
Darius Aaron Frye as Audrey II (Puppet)
FEED ME!
For fans of both theatre and horror, the Nocturne Theatre’s “Little Shop of Horrors” offers a fresh take on a cult classic. Its innovative monster design brings the story’s central villain to terrifying, immersive life. This production seamlessly blends theatrical tradition with haunted attraction expertise, creating an experience that honors the show’s B-movie roots while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a live intimate theatre.
Little Shop of Horrors is playing at the Nocture Theatre in Glendale, CA, through May `8, 2025. Get tickets here.
