Latest news with #LittleShopOfHorrors
Forbes
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
NYT Mini Hints For Saturday, July 12: Today's Extra Clues And Answers
Answers for today's NYT Mini Crossword are just ahead. Before we get to today's NYT Mini crossword hints, clues and answers, here are Friday's: Wondering what a left-leaning social media site may be? Not sure what the last word in many bowling alley names is? Don't worry, because I'm here to help you with extra hints and the answers for today's NYT Mini crossword. The NYT Mini is a quick and dirty version of the newspaper's larger and long-running crossword. Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays. Unlike its larger sibling, the NYT Mini crossword is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app. However, you'll need an NYT Games subscription to access previous puzzles in the archives. Here are extra hints and the official NYT Mini Crossword clues and answers for Saturday, July 12: Spoilers lie ahead, so remember to scroll slowly: NYT Mini Crossword Hints 1 Across: Academy Award-winning actor _____ Gooding Jr. 5 Across: Rows on a highway 6 Across: 'I can only get ___ ____ done in a day' 7 Across: Up on a cloudless day 8 Across: The heroine in Little Shop of Horrors 9 Across: It typically comes in loafs 10 Across: Important yearly details for loans 1 Down: Image capturers 2 Down: Still in the packaging 3 Down: Lynch, Ann Baker and Tom Saywer's crush 4 Down: A pale greyish color 5 Down: Turn it up 6 Down: Loudly ingest soup 7 Down: Ali ___ famously said 'open sesame' NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers 1 Across: Havana's home – CUBA 5 Across: Last word in many bowling alley names – LANES 6 Across: Lots and lots – SO MUCH 7 Across: Left-leaning social media site – BLUESKY 8 Across: Hepburn of Breakfast at Tiffany's – AUDREY 9 Across: Word after "break" or "banana" – BREAD 10 Across: Car loan figs. – APRS 1 Down: They always shoot their shot – CAMERAS 2 Down: Brand-new – UNUSED 3 Down: Woman with "the good hair," in a famous Beyoncé lyric – BECKY 4 Down: In need of moisturizer – ASHY 5 Down: "We can't hear you back here!" – LOUDER 6 Down: Drink noisily – SLURP 7 Down: ___ ghanouj – BABA Completed New York Times Mini crossword for Saturday, July 12. It took me 2:05 to complete today's NYT Mini. Not a horrible time for a Saturday Mini! On my first pass of the Across words, I only got CUBA, BLUESKY and AUDREY. I think the clue for 7 Across is perhaps too broad of a generalization of that platform, but it is what it is. Moving to the Down direction, I only missed CAMERAS and UNUSED there. The answers that I did find helped me clean things up on the Across direction. See you tomorrow for more NYT Mini fun! Make sure to follow my blog for more coverage of the NYT Mini and other word games, as well as video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Want to chat about the Mini, Connections and other NYT games? Join my Discord community! And be sure to sign up for my newsletter!
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Dublin's biggest theatre is staging its first production. Will its Little Shop of Horrors pull off a coup?
The first day of rehearsals is always a high-energy event. In the brand-new Theatreworx studio space in Dunboyne , in Co Meath, the floor has been marked with positioning tape, stacks of printed scripts are piled on tables and, tucked into a corner, a model of the set for Little Shop of Horrors sits on a plinth for the newly assembled cast to admire. The set's designer, Maree Kearns , is standing beside the intricate miniature New York streetscape to introduce the performers to the world they will be inhabiting for the next six weeks. There are oohs and ahs as she rotates artfully worn shopfronts and slides in blood-spattered backdrops. Then there are wows for the growing scale of a flesh-eating flower, as Kearns marks out the scene change for them. The ensemble of 16 know that the real main character of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken 's comedy-horror musical isn't Seymour, the hapless florist, or Audrey, his simpering colleague, or Mr Mushnik, boss of the bouquet emporium. It is Audrey II, the voracious Venus flytrap that, by the musical's end, looks set for world domination. The cast also know that the work they're doing has more significance than simply what the audience will see on stage at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre towards the end of the month. As Stephen Faloon , who runs the Dublin venue, and is one of the producers, reminds them in his introductory remarks, 'Our job is to show audiences that musical theatre has a home here in Ireland.' READ MORE Little Shop of Horrors: Cast members Jacqueline Brunton, David O'Reilly, Johnny Ward and Ghaliah Conroy with a model of the set, designed by Maree Kearns, for the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre's first in-house production. Photograph: Brian McEvoy Faloon has been at the helm of the theatre – the Republic's largest – since it opened in 2010, overseeing the programming and installation of countless visiting West End shows. Little Shop of Horrors is altogether different. It is the venue's first homegrown production, and Faloon is buzzing with excitement. 'We were built as a receiving house,' he explains. 'Our remit is to bring the best of the West End and Broadway to Dublin. But I have always thought there should be no reason why we can't celebrate our own talent too.' Independent producers have brought several Irish shows to the theatre over the years, among them Paul Howard's satirical Anglo: The Musical and Adam Powell and Paul Hurt's Angela's Ashes: The Musical , but during the pandemic Faloon was inspired to consider investing in a full-scale production that the theatre might build from the ground up. 'The idea really started in 2021, when we got some money from the government to get artists back to work. We did a concert version of West Side Story, employing 73 Irish artists. Because of restrictions, we could only do a show for an audience of 50 – in a house of more than 2,000. It was ludicrous, really. 'But what was remarkable about it was the wealth of Irish talent, [many of whom] were working abroad – one of the lead actors from The Lion King, the assistant musical director from The Book of Mormon – because there was no indigenous work in musical theatre here. That kernel of truth stayed with me. It has taken a few years to grow into something. But, finally, here we are.' His colleague Claire Tighe , who is the production's director and choreographer, as well as a coproducer, says: 'We really do have the most amazing Irish talent working in musical theatre all across the world, on and off stage, but those creatives don't get very much opportunity to work in Ireland. 'Musical theatre is very difficult to mount, as it is a heck of a lot more expensive [than regular theatre], so whoever wants to do it really has to go for it, and build partnerships, and that's where this production' – a partnership between the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Tighe's Theatreworx – 'comes in. 'It was born out of a desire to bring Irish talent to the stage here, so that we can show Irish audiences that musical theatre culture here is so rich and that we can make shows that are as top tier as anything they have seen at the theatre before. If we can do that, we can get the whole culture to grow legs and develop, and that will change the landscape for the Irish talent that wants to make work here.' Little Shop of Horrors has a particular sentimental significance for both Faloon and Tighe. Faloon saw the original production as a young teenager in the West End in 1983. 'I remember so vividly how it felt to me,' he says. 'It was so much fun. I was transported from the moment it began, completely mesmerised. My dad bought the soundtrack on cassette, and I would get into his car when he got home from work and listen to it while doing my homework.' For Tighe, it was 'the first musical I ever directed. That was back in 2006, for Leixlip Musical & Variety Group , which was where I learned how to be a director before I went into the professional industry. I actually came across my notebook yesterday, with all my notes'. Theatreworx also produces the well-regarded pantomimes at the Helix Theatre, in north Dublin, which have been running since 2008. Panto is a particularly important art form in Ireland, she says, as it 'has historically been the only place with a long enough contract in musical-theatre terms, so it's much sought-after'. As a result, 'you have some amazing professional productions happening around the country, attracting top talent who usually might only get to work in London or the UK'. Tighe's comments resonate strongly with David O'Reilly, who is playing Seymour, alongside Jacqueline Brunton as Audrey. He has several West End shows and UK tours under his belt, including The Book of Mormon and Grease. O'Reilly moved to London to train in 2007, a typical trajectory for aspiring musical-theatre performers. 'It was well known that the training was at a level where you would have access to people with a finger on the pulse of what was happening, teachers who would be going from class to warm-ups in the West End, and that you could easily get into employment after,' he says. Training opportunities 'have changed a lot now, though. Teaching across the board in Ireland has gone through the roof in terms of its delivery, and you are seeing a growth of stage schools with really talented teachers – and that's even before you go on to third level'. Cork School of Music offers a BA in musical theatre; and the Lir , the national academy of dramatic art, in Dublin, offers a BA in acting that includes a substantial section on musicianship and group singing, as well as short musical-theatre courses for professionals. [ The Book of Mormon: 'We put all of these subversive things into a familiar box for people. And we swear a lot' Opens in new window ] Opportunities to work professionally have not kept pace, however. When O'Reilly moved back to Ireland in 2022, he intended to focus on TV and film work. He jumped at the chance to audition for Little Shop of Horrors – Tighe's open call attracted more than 2,000 performers – not least because, as with Faloon and Tighe, the musical represented 'a full-circle moment for me. The last time I was on stage in Ireland was as a teenager, playing Seymour in a production at my stage school, and my audition songs for my musical-theatre course were from Little Shop as well'. He adds that venues such as the Gate , which recently staged productions of Fun Home and The Borrowers , have shown that audiences want to see musical theatre. 'And it is really inspiring, as a performer, to have something being produced on this scale on the same stage where productions like Hamilton or Wicked have been.' Little Shop of Horrors: Puppeteer Chris Corroon with a puppet of Audrey II, the Venus flytrap, for the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre's first in-house production, at Theatreworx studio space in Dunboyne, Co Meath, during rehearsals. Photograph: Brian McEvoy When Chris Corroon, the production's puppeteer, introduces me to several full-sized incarnations of Audrey II in the workshop next door, it really seems as if Little Shop of Horrors could be as visually and technically ambitious as any touring show the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre has hosted. 'It is a big challenge,' Tighe says, 'but I am not afraid of it. We have an incredible team of creatives, some brilliant stalwarts who have loads of musical-theatre experience, as well as some incredible new talent. We have an amazing revolving set that is more than worthy of being on that stage. So we are going to make sure that an audience is not going to think it's in any way less than something that might be flown in from the West End.' Indeed, if anything is scary, Faloon says, it's the role-reversing fact that British producers have been in touch about travelling over to see their Little Shop of Horrors. 'If it is a success – and it will be – the whole landscape for making musical theatre here could change.' Little Shop of Horrors is at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre , Dublin, from Friday, July 25th, until Saturday, August 9th
Sunday World
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Ex-Love/Hate star Johnny Ward is relishing playing a new ‘psychotic' part
Johnny Ward is relishing his moment on state at the Bord Gais as an evil dentist 'I think this is the most psychotic part I'll ever play,' Johnny tells the Sunday World , referring to his upcoming performance as an evil dentist in the musical Little Shop Of Horrors at Dublin's Bord Gais Energy Theatre. 'Little Shop Of Horrors is a love story about a guy call Seymour who works in a flower shop that's not doing well,' Johnny explains of the 1980s movie and stage production. 'He discovers that one of the plants that he bought from a random man in a Chinese shop eats people. Actors David O Reilly, Johnny Ward and Jacqueline Brunton 'Seymour is attracted to Audrey who works in the shop and, here we go yet again, I'm Audrey's abusive boyfriend Orin, a biker dentist. 'He beats her up and takes great pleasure in getting pain out of a lot of people when doing dental surgery on them.' Johnny's character ultimately meets a grisly end involving the human-eating plant. 'It's a far-fetched story, but it's phenomenal and the music is amazing,' he says. 'The songs I get to perform are Dentist Song, and a duet song with Seymour, played by David O'Reilly, called It's Just The Gas. So I'm really looking forward to it. We start rehearsals on Monday.' The Little Shop Of Horrors role is the latest in Ward's hectic work life, which these days involves teaching young people in drama classes. 'Teaching is my bread and butter and I absolutely love it,' Johnny says. 'On a Monday I teach out in Dizzy Footwork Drama Academy opposite The Square in Tallaght… Tuesdays I'm in a primary school in Wicklow, Wednesday I'm in Cavan, Thursday in Leixlip, Friday I'm in Trim and I'm off Saturday and Sunday. The cast of the Little Shop of Horrors musical 'Thankfully the people that I work for are like brothers and sisters to me and when something acting-wise comes up they provide cover for me. They are very accommodating. 'Usually at this time of the year I do summer camps, but this year I can't because my hands are tied with the Little Shop Of Horrors' 'I love passing on what you've learned to young kids. I love it when they come in in September and they are all shy and nervous and by June they are like a different kid. You can't shut them up, they are full of confidence and they become the role models for the next year's kids. 'And I really love writing scripts for kids to perform. We had an amazing show just there on Monday. The popular entertainer says he would encourage parents to get their children involved in drama. 'It's great for kids, especially in this day and age because kids don't have the attention span that they used to. That's not their fault, it's just the modern world. 'Our attention span back in the day was going to watch a movie like Jurassic Park for two hours on a Saturday. Kids don't do that anymore because their attention span is just flicking through their TikToks and stuff… their attention span is a max of about 30 seconds. 'I do think that for an hour or two hours a week putting the phone down is good for the head. I go to a philosophy class every Monday with my mother and I love it. David O'Reilly and Jacqueline Brunton in the Little Shop of Horrors musical 'My mother started it in 2022 and she said, 'I've signed you up.' And it's the best thing I've ever done. It's just a reminder of the tools that are so simply accessed that we don't use. Little things when you are in a situation of anxiety, pause, take three seconds, breathe and ask yourself 'What would a wise man do in this situation?' It's very good and you meet some really great people.' Johnny credits his mother, Kathy, with fostering his love of acting. 'Without her I wouldn't have made a career in this,' he says. 'My mum was very much adamant that we all do drama growing up. Just before this interview we went over the script of Little Shop of Horrors together.' Johnny's mum, Kathy, has suffered a series of health issues since the passing of her husband in 2019. She was diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is also referred to as a broken heart. Johnny as Ciaran in Fair City 'Last July Mum was diagnosed with cancer and we all feared the worst. Her pancreas, gallbladder and a large part of her bowel were taken out. 'Then she got Covid, she had a fall and it was one nightmare after another. But she's brilliant and she's doing well and she's back to her usual self now.' Johnny also paid tribute to his wife, Brenda, who, he says, is his 'biggest supporter.' The couple met while out walking in the Curragh when lockdown restrictions were relaxed and will be two years married next month. 'Brenda is an amazing person, there is never any arguing and if there is we just have a laugh about it,' Johnny reveals. 'And she has just been magnificent with my mother — she's just like another daughter to her.'
CBS News
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Massachusetts production of "Little Shop of Horrors" brings innovation to acting, puppeteering
"Little Shop of Horrors" premiered off-Broadway more than 40 years ago, but the musical is just as beloved in 2025. Now the fan-favorite production is bringing an alien plant with a taste for blood to Massachusetts. The voice of Audrey II and the puppeteer who brings the man-eating plant to life form a partnership unlike any other on stage. In the Greater Boston Stage Company's new production, while Anthony Pires, Junior gives voice to Audrey II, it's puppeteer Sydney Grant who creates the movement. She says, "I can't see anybody. And so I just have to track where people's voices are in the space and hope I'm correct." Anthony is backstage at a microphone during the entire show, so for him, "It's a lot about imagination and finding the ability to just figure out how to create your own map." During rehearsal, director Ilana Ransome Toeplitz had Anthony walk through every scene, telling him to "pretend that you are a real person who is anthropomorphized as a plant. And then we moved him to the chair, and then we had Sydney come in and watch Anthony's mannerisms so that they could break together and become one entity. " Anthony explains, "We found a motion throughout the rehearsal process of working together to have me be behind them (Sydney) while they're doing the motions." Three different puppets used Sydney operates three different Audrey II puppets during each performance, starting with the tabletop version. She says, "I'm working with my shadow on the back wall to know where I'm looking or if somebody's approaching. And occasionally, I'm sticking out (from under the table) to look up at our Seymour and see when he's trying to feed me. " Sydney wears a costume for the second plant, while the third is made of foam, fabric and PVC pipe. While she performs on stage, Anthony tells us he looks through a screen setup backstage to make sure "that the plant is mimicking what I'm talking about or highlighting. But also, I do my own physicalities in here just to make sure that I'm portraying and giving that plant that same feeling." You can check out the Greater Boston Stage Company's production of Little Shop of Horrors in Stoneham through Sunday, June 29th.
Irish Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex 2FM star on his new radio gig and landing lead role in hit Broadway musical
Former 2FM star David O'Reilly has opened up about his shock departure – saying he needed to 'spread my wings' after schedule change-ups at the station. In May 2024, David was announced alongside Lottie Ryan as replacement for The 2 Johnnies, who quit their Drivetime show. But another schedule change, meant another change-up again for 2FM stars and David revealed RTE bosses could only offer him a contributor contract at the time. Doireann Garrihy now hosts the slot on Drivetime. David told us: 'They brought in a new schedule, and I wasn't offered a show and that's OK. I was offered a contributor contract, and they were very kind about it. They offered me that and cover [work].' But the actor said he wanted to 'spread my wings' and decided to leave 2FM and join FM104, where he was offered a weekend show alongside comedian Enya Martin, called Gerrup Outta Dat with Enya and David. 'For me, I wanted to spread my wings. It felt like the right time for me to say 'thank you so much, I'm really grateful but it's time to move on'. 'I got an opportunity to work at FM104, and I really couldn't turn it down, getting to work with Enya Martin on Saturday mornings 10am until 1pm. 'I actually cannot tell you how much I love working over there. It is such an amazing building and the people are amazing. 'I was able to take the stuff I learned from 2FM and bring it with me but also learn new stuff from FM104 as well.' David said he feels like he's now living his dream as he juggles being a radio host and an actor. He is set to take on the role of Seymour Krelborn in the Bord Gais' Little Shop Of Horrors. 'It might sound a bit cheesy, I feel like I'm living the dream at the moment. A lot of people ask me 'Do I want to get on daytime?' but I am so content where I am on the radio. 'I get to flex that muscle and act on the side as well. I've just finished a TV series at the moment as well as doing this show at the Bord Gais. 'How amazing I get to do Little Shop of Horrors and Saturday morning radio show. I'm very grateful but down the line, who knows what'll happen or how that show will evolve as well. 'There's also a great culture in there at the moment as well which is fab.' David was speaking at the full cast reveal of Broadway's smash-hit musical Little Shop of Horrors, which is coming to the Bord Gais in Dublin from July 25 until August 9. The star will take on the role of Seymour in the hit musical alongside rising star Jacqueline Brunton as Audrey. This will mark the first full-scale musical theatre production produced in-house by Bord Gais Energy Theatre, in partnership with TheatreworX. Featuring an entirely Irish cast and creative team, the production represents a landmark moment for Irish musical theatre and a bold new chapter for the theatre itself. David is no stranger to the stage, having appeared in the likes of One Man, Two Guvnors, Catherine Tate Live, The Book of Mormon, Grease and Lady Windermere's Fan. Speaking about taking part in the show, David said: 'I was at the launch of the new season last year. I was there as a radio presenter. They announced all these shows, and they announced this. 'The team said they still remember my face. It dropped. It just felt like a full circle moment. The last time I was on stage in Ireland as a kid, it was in Little Shop of Horrors and my audition song to get into theatre school in London was Little Shop of Horrors. 'I emailed straight away wanting to know the audition process and then I met the team and auditioned.' The cast includes former Love/Hate star Johnny Ward as Orin, Game of Thrones star Garry Mountaine as Mr. Mushnik, The Imperium Stone's Jacqueline Brunton as Audrey and Kenneth O'Regan as the voice of Audrey II. Tickets are available to buy now.
