Casting complete for Encores! Little Shop of Horrors

New York City Center's 'Encores! Off-Center' series, under the artistic direction of Jeanine Tesori, has now announced complete casting for the upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors at the New York City Center.

Eddie Cooper replaces his father Chuck Cooper, who will now be starring in the Broadway production of Amazing Grace, as the voice of Audrey II, and Joe Grifasi will take on the role of Mushnik. Previously announced cast members include Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhall, who will be making his musical theatre debut as Seymour, Ellen Green (Audrey), Tracy Nicole Chapman (Chiffon), Marva Hicks (Crystal), Ramona Keller (Ronnette), and Taran Killam (who is also making his musical theatre debut as Orin Scrivello).

Due to popular demand, an extra matinee performance was added. The show will play on 1 July 2015 at 7:30pm and on 2 July 2015 at 2pm and 7:30pm.

Featuring book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, the production will be directed by Dick Scanlan and choreographed by Patricia Wilcox.

Synopsis: "Little Shop of Horrors is a sci-fi musical about Seymour Krelborn (Jake Gyllenhaal), a hapless florist shop worker who pursues a doomed romance with his ditzy, lovable co-worker Audrey (Ellen Greene) by acquiring an R&B-singing plant (Chuck Cooper) that feeds on human blood. It is based on Roger Corman's 1960 black comedy film by the same name."

The 2015 Encores! Off-Center season features sets by Donyale Werle, costumes by Clint Ramos, lighting by Mark Barton and sound design by Leon Rothenberg. Chris Fenwick serves as musical director.

Jake Gyllenhall recently made his Broadway debut in MTC's production of 'Constellations' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. He is an Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee whose film credits include 'Brokeback Mountain', 'End of Watch', 'Donnie Darko' and Ed Zwick's 'Love and Other Drugs'. He made his New York stage debut in 2012 starring in 'If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet', for the Roundabout Theatre Company and starred in Kenneth Lonergan's revival of 'This is Our Youth' on London's West End, for which he won an Evening Standard Theater Award for Outstanding Newcomer.

- by Tom Millward