THEATRE BY THE SEA OPENS 2026 SEASON
WITH LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
WAKEFIELD, RI – In celebration of 93 Years of Theatre By The Sea, owner and producer Bill Hanney is proud to announce the opening of the 2026 Summer Season. The season begins with one of the most popular musicals of all time, Little Shop of Horrors. This funny and touching creature-feature will be presented from May 28 – June 20, 2026.
“Having always been a fan of the movies, I was aware of Little Shop of Horrors from a very early age,” said Bill Hanney. “It began as a black and white film, which was then transformed into a stage musical and a few years later a film adaptation of the musical was made starring Rock Moranis, Ellen Greene, who originated the role of Audrey on stage, and Steve Martin, who played the sadistic dentist. I love every version of Little Shop and completely understand why it has always been so popular!”
The hysterically campy and delightfully dark modern classic Little Shop of Horrors is a deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical which has devoured the hearts of theatregoers for decades. The story follows hapless floral assistant Seymour Krelborn who pines for his coworker Audrey, a Skid Row girl, who’s always dreamed of a life that is something more. When he stumbles upon a strange seedling, he nurses it to life, only to find it growing into a carnivorous plant with some devilish intents. Little Shop of Horrors, with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.
Directed and choreographed by the husband-and-wife team of Bob Richard and Diane Laurenson, who return to TBTS having previously directed and choreographed Footloose, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, and West Side Story, with musical direction by Milton Granger, who music directed TBTS productions of 42nd Street, Jersey Boys, My Way, Singin’ in the Rain, CATS, Mary Poppins, and My Fair Lady, the cast includes Deon Releford-Lee, who portrayed the role of Ike in the Broadway production of TINA – the Tina Turner Musical and appeared as a Drifter in the Broadway National Tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Anna Telfer, who was on the National Tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Mr. Releford-Lee and Ms. Telfer are both making their TBTS stage debuts in the roles of Seymour Krelborn and Audrey. The role of Mr. Mushnik is being played by Fred Sullivan, Jr, who most recently appeared in TBTS productions of Heartbreak Hotel, Hairspray and Tootsie. Justin Michael Duval, who appeared on the First National Tour of Girl From the North Country and has also toured with Dreamgirls, Jekyll & Hyde, and Happy Days, makes his Theatre By The Sea debut in the role of Orin Scrivello. Jaelle Laguerre, whose favorite credits include Annie, (National Tour) Six, Cinderella, A Christmas Carol, and The Buddy Holly Story will be the voice of Audrey II, and the urchins, Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon, will be played by Adeera Laini Harris, Myriam Zamy and Charity Willams. Rounding out the cast are Mia Angelique, Julia Bibeault, Jack Ducat, Dean Hernandez, Jordan Okeke, and Andy McLeavey.
The creative team includes resident scenic designer Cassie McKnight; lighting designer Weston Wilkerson; sound designer Chad Parsley; puppet designer Martin P. Robinson; wig, hair and makeup design by Erin Kennedy Lunsford; costumes by Maine State Costume Rentals, with additional costumes provided by North Shore Music Theatre; along with Nick Alteri (Production Stage Manager); and Rahxas Colite (Assistant Stage Manager). Little Shop of Horrors is being produced for Theatre By The Sea by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Bob Richard (Associate Producer).
Little Shop of Horrors will be presented from May 28–June 20, with preview performances on May 28 and opening night scheduled for May 29. Performances are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:00 pm, and Sundays at 5:00 pm, with special performance times on Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm and a special added Wednesday matinee on June 17. The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield. Tickets for preview performances, Thursday, May 29 are $64, and $66 – $96 for all other performances (additional fees may apply). Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 782-3800 x112. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and performance days from 11:00 am until curtain, (performance Sundays 12 noon until curtain), online 24-hours-a-day at www.theatrebythesea.com and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587).
Located on Rhode Island’s South Shore, Theatre By The Sea celebrates 93 years of summer theatre at its best!
Theatre By The Sea has had many incarnations since opening on August 7, 1933. Tommy Brent saved the theatre from demolition in 1967 and ran it successfully until FourQuest Entertainment took over the lease in 1988. Following extensive renovations, FourQuest reopened the theatre in the spring of 1989 and continued producing high quality entertainment at the seaside playhouse until the fall of 2003. Bill Hanney purchased the property in 2007 and, with producing partners, successfully mounted a production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, just six weeks later, reopening the historic theatre on August 8, 2007. Since then, Theatre By The Sea has continued to produce a four-musical subscription season, a late-night cabaret series, a children’s theatre festival, a children’s summer theatre camp, and a Monday evening concert series.
AT A GLANCE
PRODUCTION: Little Shop of Horrors
DATES: May 28 – June 20
WHERE: Theatre By The Sea
364 Card’s Pond Road
Wakefield, RI
PERFORMANCE TIMES: Thursday, May 28 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm (previews)
Friday, May 29 at 8:00 pm (opening)
Saturday, May 30 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Tuesday, June 2 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 pm
Thursday, June 4 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Friday, June 5 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, June 10 at 7:30 pm
Thursday, June 11 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Friday, June 12 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 14 at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, June 16 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, June 17 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Thursday, June 18 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Friday, June 19 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 20 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
TICKET PRICES: Previews – $64 (additional fees may apply)
All other performances – $66, $81, $92, 96 (additional fees may apply)
Group Discounts Available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 782-3800 x112
TICKETS: www.theatrebythesea.com
(401) 782-TKTS (8587)