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Matt Whalen / Sunday, August 4, 2024 / Categories: Coming Soon

Little Shop of Horrors

Event date: 6/20/2025 7:30 PM - 6/29/2025 4:30 PM Export event

A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.

The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!

Book and Lyrics by: Howard Ashman
Music by: Alan Menken

 

Content Warning: This production contains mature language and themes, the use of a prop gun, gunshot sound effects, stage blood and physical violence, including a scene depicting domestic abuse. Because this list is not comprehensive and content sensitivities vary from person to person, we encourage you to call the Box Office to determine if this production is suitable for you and your party.

Aprox run time: 2 hours and 15 minutes with intermission

Friday, June 20th: 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 21st: 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 22nd: 2:00 pm
Friday, June 27th: 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 28th: 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 29th: 2:00 PM

The Cast
Seymour Krelborn: Nicholas Miesuk
Audrey: Amy Jackson
Mr. Mushnik: Ken Kaden
Orin Scrivello (DDS): Geon Ruffin
Audrey II (Voice): Eliseo Martinez
Audrey II (Puppet) Mark Serratore
Crystal: Anaya Evans
Ronette: Autumn Dunn
Chiffon: Zanneta Kubajak
Customer/Ensemble: Katie Baumgartner
Interviewer/Ensemble: Christina Peck
Mr. Bernstein/Ensemble: Sal Seno
Mrs Luce/Ensemble: Laura McElligott
Skip Snip/Ensemble: Collin Mallers
Wino/Ensemble: Rick Love

Ensemble: Paige Kalantzis, Daniel Sarmiento, Sal Seno, Mary Kate Temple, CeCi Wynne
Swings/Ensemble: Nick Baumgartner and Abby Hofmeister

Understudies
Audrey: Mary Kate Temple, Mushnik: Sal Seno, Orin: Collin Mallers,  Audrey II Voice: Autumn Dunn, Crystal, Ronette, Chiffon: Jessica Chessier , Audrey II Puppet: Paige Kalantzis

PRODUCTION STAFF

Director/Choreographer: Jake Ganzer
Music Director: Ali Kordelewski
Producer: Matt Whalen
Production Manager: Adam Milne
Stage Manager: Roxanne Bakir 
Assistant Stage Manager: Lilly West
Running Crew: Emma Noeth, Bry Bell, Sydney Plant, Matthew Mayer
Scenic Designer/Scenic Artist:Barry Norton
Costume Designer: Alyson Meyers
Costume Crew: Hannah Vorderer
Lighting Designer: Han Murphy
Lighting Crew: Emma Gillman
Sound Designer: Jeremy Lyon
Sound Crew: Jenna Nevara
Props Designer: Patty Meier
Photography: Alec Siegel
Master Carpenter: Andrew Van Durme
Graphic Design: Riley Tomes
Social Media: Matt Whalen
T-Shirt Design: Geon Ruffin
Program: Mike Frale
House Manager: Julie Abud
Concessions Manager: Abby Abud, Julie Abud
Box Office: Matt Whalen, 
Sign Language Interpretation: Patti Shore Kaden, Dan Englund

 

 

The Cast

Katie Baumgartner (Customer/Ensemble) Katie is so excited to be returning to the Summer Place stage after previously appearing in Newsies (Bunsen/Ensemble) and The Sound of Music (Fraulein Schweiger, Ensemble, Sisters u/s),  She graduated with a B.A in Communications/Theatre Arts and a Spanish Language minor from Wheaton Collegel.  Favorite past roles include The Little Mermaid (Arista), Seussical (Wickersham Brother), Mary Poppins (Ensemble), Evita (Eva's sister/Funeral Trio/Dancer), and The Tempest (Sebastian).  Love to her family and friends, especially her cast mate and incredible husband Nick.  Enjoy the "strange and interesting" show!

Nick Baumgartner (Swing/Ensemble) Nick is so excited to be performing in Little Shop of Horrors! You may have seen him previously as a newsie in Newsies! Or as Friedrick Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. He would like to thank the production team for this opportunity, his wife Katie and all of his friends and family for their support. Enjoy the Show!

Jessica Chessier (Crystal, Ronette, Chiffon u/s) From Blue Island, Illinois, Jess is a rising sophomore at Loyola University Chicago where she is pursuing a Business Degree with a Theater Minor. Her most recent roles include Catherine of Aragon in Six: Teen Version at The Chicago Heights Drama Group and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at Loyola University Chicago. Jess would like to thank her friends and family for their support! 

Autumn Dunn (Ronette, Audrey II Voice u/s) Autumn (she/her) is thrilled to be returning with Summer Place Theatre after playing Lorraine in All Shook Up last season! She has previously performed in Shrek the Musical (Dragon/Morning Bird) and Tuck Everlasting (Mae Tuck) at Plainfield East High School, as well as Assassins (Sam Byck/Emma Goldman) and Amusement Park on the Moon (Juicebox), and the fall and spring semester 24 Hour Play Festivals where she performed collaborated original works, at North Central College, where she studies Choral Music Education. Autumn would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her and believing in what she can achieve, and hopes that you enjoy the show!

Anaya Evans (Crystal) Anaya is so excited to be making her Summer Place debut in this amazing production. She is overjoyed to be working with this fantastic production team and cast. You may have recently seen her in Almost Maine (Rhonda), Rent (Mimi), Cabaret (Lulu), All Shook Up (Lorraine), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van De Graff) with Stage Coach Players. The Home Creative Co's production of Spring Awakening (Martha), Beauty and the Beast with Theatre-on-the-Hill (Babette). Anaya graduated from NIU with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Science. Since graduating Anaya has become a Lead Registered Behavior Technician. Anaya would like to thank her family and fiance Josh for being so incredible and supportive during this process.

Abby Hofmeister (Swing/Ensemble) Abby is thrilled to be making her Summer Place Theatre debut in the ensemble for Little Shop of Horrors! When she is not on stage, she teaches 7th grade Language Arts and co-directs the school plays. She wants to thank the cast and crew for being so fun and welcoming during this production. She also thanks her husband for always being supportive of everything she does. With that, remember… don’t feed the plants!

Amy Jackson (Audrey) (she/her) is delighted to perform in her first Summer Place musical! Recent roles include Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda, Wheaton Drama), Belle (Beauty and the Beast, Stage Coach Players) and Maureen (RENT, Theatre 121; Lou Award: Best Musical). She has music directed 20+ shows throughout Florida, Iowa, Illinois, and Canada. By day, she is a marketing manager at Penguin Random House, America’s largest book publisher. “To Diana, my bride-to-be—as always, I’m singing about you!”

Ken Kaden (Mr. Mushnik) Ken Kaden (Mr. Mushnik) is honored to be included with this talented cast and staff and delighted to be returning to Summer Place Theatre, where he played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Headwaiter in She Loves Me, and Banjo in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Ken was the grateful recipient of the Lou Award for playing Gomez in The Addams Family at Wheaton Drama. Other favorite roles include Hank Borden (The Tin Woman) (Lou Award – Best Play), Max Bialystock (The Producers), Nathan Detroit (Guys and Dolls), Fagin (Oliver), and Captain Hook (Peter Pan.) He has directed The 39 Steps and Hauptmann at Wheaton Drama, Art for Mad Props Productions, co-directed As You Like It for Bard in the Burbs and also adapted and directed Nick Hornby’s A Long Way Down to benefit the National Center for the Prevention of Youth Suicide.

Paige Kalantzis (was in wrong spot in alpha (Ensemble, Audrey II Puppeteer u/s) Paige (she/her) is an elementary school teacher in Aurora and graduated from North Central College in 2024. This is Paige’s first production with Summer Place Theatre. Previously, Paige played Maizie in Seussical. When she’s not working, she enjoys eating Greek food with her family as well as watching film! Paige is so excited to be a part of this wonderful production and even more excited for you all to see it.

Zanneta Kubajak (Chiffon) Hailing from the South Side of Chicago, Zanneta is a mother, educator, and musician. She holds a master’s from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and finds her way to a stage whenever possible. Her favorite roles include Millie in Trouble in Mind, Lady Beaconsfield in Jekyll & Hyde, and Super Lit Party Guest #21 in Die Fledermaus. With the blessing of her ancestors, the joy of collaboration, and music always close by, she embraces the power of storytelling as a responsibility to imagine and build a freer, more compassionate world.

Rick Love (Wino/Ensemble) Rick is drunkenly happy to perform with Summer Place again. Was recently in West Side Story (Officer Krupke) and telling Ghost Stories in the Park, and was previously in The Pajama Game, Sound of Music (Herr Zeller), A Christmas Carol - A 1940’s Radio Show, Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright), and Footloose (Rev Shaw). He’s also appeared in many Kidz Kabaret / Center Stage and Magical Starlight productions. Other favorite roles include Mr Bumble (Oliver), Grandpa Joe (Willy Wonka), and Geppetto (My Son Pinocchio). He moonlights as Santa.

Collin Mallers (Skip Snip/Ensemble, Orin u/s) is ecstatic to be making his Summer Place Theatre debut with this amazing musical. He is in awe of the amazing cast and production team every rehearsal. The talent of this group is unbelievable! He would like to thank you for coming and hopes you enjoy the result as much as he enjoyed the process. 

Eliseo Martinez (Audrey II Voice) is elated to return to Summer Place Theatre after previously taking the stage in The 25th Annual Putnam County Bee (Chip), Camelot (Mordred), and How to Succeed…(Mr. Bratt). Other credits include Children of Eden (Noah), The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Big Fish (Will Bloom), Next to Normal (Dr. Madden/Fine) and Forever Plaid (Sparky). Massive thanks to Jax, Kiersa, Oliver, and Cloudy for all their love and encouragement.

Laura McElligott (Mrs. Luce/Ensemble) Laura taught English at Plainfield East High School for 15 years and had the privilege to direct the plays and assistant direct the musicals there for 10 years. Laura is extremely proud to be a part of Little Shop of Horrors and would like to thank the production team for their immense guidance and dedication. She is profoundly grateful to her husband (Drew), her parents, Adeline, William, and her dog (Seymour) for all their love and “sweet understanding” throughout this production.

Nicholas Miesuk (Seymour Krelborn) It has been 12 years since Nick was last in a production of Little Shop of Horrors. Back in 2013, he was only about 5 feet tall. Since then, he has sprouted like a weed to a decently sized 6’1” (6’3” on a good day). The term sprouted like a weed is a clever pun using plant terminology because this is a musical about plants. Nick is very pleased with himself for that joke. You may have seen Nick in other productions such as an Ensemble member in Grease (Yorkville High School), Abel; the brother who gets rocked in Children of Eden (Fox Country Players), and as Sonny from the musical In the Heig… actually just the first two, ignore that last one. He is incredibly happy to be back in Skid Row, and to be surrounded by such immensely talented individuals here at Summer Place Theatre.

Christina Peck (Interviewer/Ensemble) Christina is excited to return to the Summer Place Theatre stage this summer! You may have seen Christina previously in SPT's production of The Pajama Game (Babe), The Sound of Music (Liesl), or South Pacific. When not on stage, Christina works as a high school special education administrator. Thank you to everyone who supports local theatre and a special thanks to her husband and daughter. Enjoy the show!

Geon Ruffin (Orin Scrivello, DDS) Geon is thrilled to check Orin Scrivello (DDS) off his checklist of musical theater roles. He would like to share his deep love & appreciation for his soon to be Wife, for being his biggest supporter and always insisting on being at EVERY show. He’d also like to thank the incredibly talented cast & crew of Little Shop of Horrors and Summer Place for taking community theatre to another level. He is beyond thankful to work with such wonderful individuals. Lastly, Geon deeply hopes everyone will take plants and dental hygiene more seriously following their viewing of the show

Daniel Sarmiento (Ensemble) Daniel is very excited to be a part of Little Shop of Horrors! He is about to go into his second year at North Central College studying Music Education, but is very involved with their theater program! Some of his recent credits are Ram in NCC’s Heathers, Ensemble in Natural Talent Productions’ Anastasia, Jesse Tuck in Plainfield East’s Tuck Everlasting, and more! He hopes everyone watching enjoys the show!

Mark Serratore (Audrey II Puppeteer) Mark is excited to be stepping back into the pod again, reprising the same role he had 18 years ago as a senior in high school. He thanks his friends and coworkers for coming to see him ("seeing" being a relative term since he's hidden for the entire show), and most importantly, thanks his parents for their unwavering support for everything he has done over the years. Some of it, quite frankly, has been a little odd.

Sal Seno (Bernstein, Ensemble, Mushnik u/s) Sal is thrilled to be back on stage with Summer Place! His last performance with us was as Marcellus in our 1994 production of The Music Man. Other favorite roles for Sal include Eddie McCuen in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 with Tempo Players, Tandy in Steambath with Village Theater Guild, and Cletis in Lonestar with Grove Players. By day, Sal is a technology management consultant. Sal resides in Plainfield with his wife Gail, and their daughter Simone and son Gavin.

Mary Kate Temple (Ensemble, Audrey u/s) Mary Kate Temple is excited for her debut at Summer Place Theatre! She graduated from The University of Notre Dame where she was in Jesus Christ Superstar, Dawn’s Early Light, and Cyrano. Since moving to Chicago, she has played the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol at Overshadowed Theatrical Productions and has done background work in several TV shows and films. Mary Kate would like to thank her family and friends for all of their support! Enjoy the show!

CeCi Wynne (Ensemble) CeCi is grateful to be back on the SPT stage, having previously appeared in The Sound of Music, Newsies, and All Shook Up! A recent graduate of Plainfield East HS, CeCi will attend the University of Denver, to study Vocal Performance. This past school year, she served as student director for You Can’t Take It With You and played Tanya in Mamma Mia. She is excited to head down Skid Row and reminds you: “Don’t feed the plants!”

 

Production Staff

Jake Ganzer (Director/Choreographer) Jake is excited to join Summer Place once again! Work in the past with SPT includes The Sound of Music and Jesus Christ Superstar, (also choreographed at Brightside Theatre) and Director/Choreographer  for ...Spelling Bee. You may also have seen his work at VJA High School (Guys and Dolls, Alice by Heart, A Chorus Line) and Citadel Theater (Annie, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Fantasticks). “Grateful to friends, teachers, students, and family for the support and kindness."

Ali Kordelewski (Music Director)  Ali is so excited to be back to Vocal/Music Direct for Little Shop! Past shows at Summer Place include Newsies and All Shook Up! She previously music directed for summer productions at North Central College including Disney's The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan. Ali is a graduate from North Central College, BA in Music Education /Theatre Endorsement, and VanderCook College of Music, Masters in Music Education. Ali teaches choir at Plainfield East High School and directs the madrigals/spring musicals, most recently, Mamma Mia! Ali is so thankful for the support of her family/friends and for this amazing cast/team who have worked on this show! She hopes that you enjoy all the music you'll hear "down on skid row"!

Matt Whalen (Producer) Matt is happy to be collaborating with such a great team on this production of Little Shop of Horrors! SPT audiences may remember him as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Bill Austin in Mamma Mia, or Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me Kate. He previously produced SPT’s productions of West Side Story, Newsies, and The Secret Garden, and directed our productions of Grease and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He thanks the cast, crew and production staff for their hard work, talent and passion, his family and friends, his wife Lauren and their Lab/Aussie mix, Finn.

Adam Milne (Production Manager) (He/Him) Adam is excited to be joining Summer Place Theatre for his first season as the Production Manager for both Little Shop of Horrors and Legally Blonde. Recent technical theatre credits include the Stage Manager for Next to Normal, Rent and Jesus Christ Superstar with Elgin Community College. His next major project is Shrek The Musical at Elgin Community College. He would like to thank you all for joining us and he hopes that you enjoy the show!

Roxanne Bakir (Stage Manager) (she/her) Roxanne is a current Junior Music Education Major at Millikin University. This will be her first time working with Summer Place Theatre, and is super excited to return to stage management and working in theatre after a few years of focusing on music. Her theatrical highlights have included stage managing professional guests and music events at Kirkland Fine Arts Center (Millikin), PSM and Lighting Designer for The Women of Lockerbie, PSM for The Women of Troy and two student-written works Two of Us by Isaiah Bostwick and Gladiolus Rising by Livi King, ASM for Silent Sky, and Sound Designer for She Kills Monsters (GBNHS).

Lilly West (Assistant Stage Manager) (she/her) Lilly is a current sophomore at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM) pursuing her BFA in Stage Management! She is excited to be making her Summer Place Theatre debut as the ASM for Little Shop of Horrors and the PSM for their next production, Legally Blonde! Favorite credits include: Production Assistant for Emilia and In the Green & Assistant Stage Manager for Stop Kiss (CCM), PSM for Twelfth Night (Goodly Creatures), ASM for Into the Woods (UCLA TSI), and PSM for Mary Poppins, The Cake, and 39 Steps (Steel Beam Theatre). Socials: @lillyjwest

Jeremy Lyon (Sound Designer) Jeremy is thrilled to return to Summer Place Theatre for his 19th production with the company! He studied technical theatre at the College of DuPage and has also designed for Magical Starlight Theatre and Up and Coming Theatre. Outside the theatre, Jeremy plays cello with the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra. His professional experience includes various roles with both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

Patty Meier (Props Designer) Patty is happy to return to Summer Place as the prop designer for Little Shop! You may have last seen her work on SPT’s 2023 season of The Pajama Game and Newsies. Her recent prop credits include The Old Man and The Old Moon and Martian Christmas Carol (3 Brothers Theater). Patty as always thanks her family, friends and loving boyfriend Chris for their constant support with her theater life. Now sit back, be mindful of the plants and enjoy the show!

Alyson Meyers (Costume Designer) Alyson (she/her) is ecstatic to make her debut with Summer Place Theatre. Alyson recently received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatrical Design and Technology from North Central College. While there, Alyson worked in design roles such as the Costume Designer for Assassins directed by Landree Fleming and Heathers: The Musical directed by Nathan Dittemore. She was also Prop Designer for Orlando directed by Jeremy Ohringer, and the Lighting Design Team for this is not the reunion directed by Chris Talia. Additionally, Alyson was the Costume Designer for the original short film Lovestruck directed by Carolyn Goldsmith. As an assistant, Alyson worked alongside Mackenzie Grattan at Wheaton Warrenville South creating costumes for The Crucible and Mamma Mia directed by Roberta James.

Han Murphy (Lighting Designer) Han (they/them) is Chicagoland based theatrical designer and technician, and is thrilled to be making their Summer Place Theatre debut! They have received their Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theatre and Theatrical Design and Technology from North Central College. Their recent design works include: Heathers with Point 2 Productions, as well as Witch, Tiny Beautiful Things, The Daily Grind, Love and Information, and Into the Woods at North Central College. thehanmurphy.com 

Barry Norton (Scenic Designer/Scenic Artist) Barry is happy to be returning to Summer Place Theatre as scenic designer/artist. Barry’s previous work with SPT is as scenic artist for West Side Story, All Shook Up and The Pajama Game which he also directed and set designed. You may have seen some of his work with Brightside Theatre Hairspray, Fame Jr, Miracle on 34th Street, The Descendants, and Don’t Dress for Dinner).  Veronica’s Room, On Golden Pond, Hair, Tale of the Allergists Wife, and The Book of Merman for Skokie Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof for Music on Stage, Steel Magnolias for Steel Beam Theatre, Moonlight and Marigolds, It’s A Wonderful Life the Radio Show and The Value of Moscow for ETC v2.0. And MANY more. He has been working in Chicago and suburban areas as an actor, director, scenic designer and Scenic artist for the past 35+ years. Barry received his B.A. from Columbia College with a degree in performance and directing. When not directing, He continues to enjoy his retirement after teaching with CPS for the past 32 years spending time with his friends and his dog Mia. Special thanks to Matt, Taylor, Jake, Production Staff, and cast for welcoming him on board. Please continue to support Live Theatre!!

Andrew Van Durme (Master Carpenter) This is Andrew’s first time working with Summer Place Theatre. He is on the Board of Directors of Elgin Theatre Company, where he has helped in several technical areas. He also has experience building sets at Elgin Community College. 

Kristina Bonn (Rehearsal Accompanist/Keyboard) Kristi plays the piano/keyboard at musical rehearsals and in pit orchestras, when not at her day job in IT at North Central College.  Most recent shows were Mamma Mia! at Plainfield East HS and All Shook Up with Summer Place Theatre.  “Little Shop” is her third production with Summer Place.  She sends thanks to her family for their support, and thanks Ali for always being musical partners in crime.
 

 

 

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