Forty-three years, can you believe it? No, I’m not talking about my age! I’m referring to how long Theatre Under The Stars has provided the city of Houston with a free show each summer at Miller Outdoor Theatre. This summer, we’re treated to the rock musical and cult classic, Little Shop of Horrors! My friend Lisa E. Harris is one of the cast members in this production and took time out of her busy rehearsal schedule to indulge us on some of the behind-the-scene actions!
Thea Star: Thank you for taking time out of your busy rehearsal schedule, Lisa. I’m just going to jump right in with my questions so you can get back to singing and dancing. The one thing that always amazes me about the summer TUTS show is that it’s done outdoors. Have you ever done a show outside before?
Lisa E. Harris: Yes! I actually have done several musicals at Miller as a child. I went to HITS from 1989 to 1995 and we performed at Miller each year. Then later as a student at HSPVA, we did something at Miller too. During my college/post college years in NYC, I have performed outdoors in parks and such. So yeah! I am a performance artist as well, and right now one of my projects is called Nature as the Living Stage, where I stage impromptu concerts at monuments and outdoor public places around the world. Last summer I did a series on the steps of the National Opera of Paris. They're on YouTube.
TS: I’ve seen the Paris videos! They are amazing! Right now you’re in rehearsals for Little Shop, could you explain to my readers what a typical day of rehearsals is like?
LEH: Well the first week we would spend the first half of rehearsals learning music with Art Yelton [the music director], and then towards the end of the afternoon we go on to blocking. This second week, we are running act 1 in the am, and the other act in the evening after a 1.5 hour dinner break. Next week, tech week, we will be running the show straight thru as much as possible.
TS: Now that you’re in Little Shop of Horrors and have gotten to know the show, do you have any thoughts on why it’s such a cult classic?
LEH: I think Little Shop of Horrors is such a cult classic because it deals with the future and is creepy and scientific. And imaginative yet somewhere in our minds, it is totally possible! Cult classics seem to always draw out the fantasies of "what if" that a lot of us have, but we think are individual ideas. The collective unconscious you could call it. And the collective conscious too! Also, Little Shop of Horrors has so much style as a show! The music is ultra pop and cool and the underdogs are the majority. Main ingredients of a cult classic!
TS: I never thought of it that way. Very interesting! What can we expect to see from this production of Little Shop of Horrors?
LEH: OMG! Expect to be rolling on the ground, in the aisles. This play is so funny! And the cast is phenomenal. Deborah Duncan is the voice of the plant, I'm her understudy, and she is fierce! I think most people, myself included, are used to the movie musical version where the plant is a man's voice. But the FEMALE alien plant adds a whole different dimension to the plot.
TS: I think a female voice for the plant is genius and totally different. Speaking of voices, you're also casted as the "voice of God”. What does that mean?
LEH: At the beginning of the show, I get to introduce the show's story, like the "voice of God" mixed with an NPR commentator. It’s neat because I listen to radio shows like that a lot.
TS: Do you have any fun "behind-the-scene" information you'd like to share with my readers?
LEH: Um, our “Audrey” is played by the fantabulous Ivy Castle-Rush and our “Seymour” is played by the extraterrestrial Mark Ivy. Together, they have affectionately been nick-named "the Ivy's"! I think that's funny. And Ivy actually calls Mark: Mivy! Ivy and Mivy! That humors me.
TS: The audience should recognize a lot of familiar faces with this cast, Ivy Castle-Rush and yourself included. Both of you were last seen in TUTS’ The Sound of Music. What has your overall experience working with TUTS been like?
LEH: This is my second show with TUTS and with director Roy Hamlin, who I lurrvvv! I am having so much fun; I can't even believe I get paid to do this because it is an honor to work with such committed, passionate and talented people who are really good at sharing their strengths with each other for the betterment of the show! I also work with TUTS in the education and outreach department and it’s the same thing. I cannot believe I get to do this for a job! To work with children, some of them healthy, some sick, some affluent, some from poorer communities, we go to them and give them tools to activate their imaginations first, which enable them to dream. I actually leave so inspired every day. It’s awesome.
TS: What a beautiful way to end our interview. I’m sure TUTS is very lucky to have you as a performer and educator.
Don’t forget to catch the free performance of Little Shop of Horrors at Miller Outdoor Theatre July 13th – 18th! Do any of you plan on seeing the show? Will you watch from the hill on a blanket or from the seated area? What are your thoughts on changing the voice of Audrey II to a female?
See you next week on the hill at Miller!
Thea