Deborah Dorman
The sci-fi musical comedy “Little Shop of Horrors” by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, will be produced by Theater at the Ranch in the Hermosa Ballroom, Jan. 29 through Feb.1, 2026. There will be five performances, including two matinees, and tickets will go on sale in December, online or by phone via the HOA.
Auditions will be held for all roles on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. (including callbacks) in the Hermosa Ballroom. We will be sending out audition information and forms to be prepared prior to the auditions, and a photo of you (selfie on paper is fine) and specific information about conflicts are required at the time of audition, along with the forms. We may send a link to an online site to register. Adding conflicts outside of emergencies, after you have been cast, could result in losing the role (except for illness and emergencies, of course). There will be breaks for Thanksgiving (about five days) and Christmas and New Year’s.
The roles are as follows:
Audrey—a lovely lady who is so insecure that she puts up with a rather abusive boyfriend, until she realizes Seymor is her true love
Seymour—a down on his luck fellow who works with Audrey in a run down flower shop on Skid Row
Mr. Mushnik—the owner of the flower shop, who has been like a (poor) father to Seymour
Orin—a sadistic dentist (Audrey’s boyfriend)
Audrey II—a voice (we will consider both male and female) of the alien plant (the plant is a series of puppets)
Two Puppeteers for Audrey II—non-singing, non-speaking
Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronnette—a girl group who sing background and context for much of the show (and we may consider an additional threesome, female or male)—these people need to move well and will have choreography
Bernstein, Snip, Luce, Martin (small roles often played by one person), assorted derelicts, winos, etc. (flexible casting)
There is no advance preparation for acting for the auditions, but for singing, we are asking you to sing a song of your choosing that highlights your vocal abilities with no accompaniment. If you can learn something from the show, that would be great, and we can provide sheet music. Prior choral or vocal training and being able to sight-read music is helpful; being able to maintain pitch and blend your voice with others is essential. We will test your singing range (low to high) to determine your vocal part.
There are many backstage people needed, so if you have an interest in being part of the production, or a specific skill (art, makeup, set construction, etc.), please contact deborahdorm@gmail.com asap.
Please send your email to deborahdorm@gmail.com (no texts or calls) if you wish to receive audition forms and music. You are welcome at any or all of the auditions, and may specifically be asked to come for callbacks at the Saturday audition. It is a big commitment to work on a show, but the rewards are amazing. You will have a “family,” a “team,” and a feeling of accomplishment in retirement.