The new cast took the stage in March 2025. Photo Credit: @emiliomadrid Instagram
Milo Manheim made his off-broadway debut in Little Shop of Horrors alongside Liz Gillies. With Manheim as Seymour and Gillies as Audrey, this star-studded cast has drawn in flocks of crowds.
Little Shop of Horrors is a horror comedy rock musical that unfolds in Mushnik’s Flower Shop, a failing business on Skid Row. The story follows a meek and shy florist named Seymour who discovers and raises a man-eating plant. The plot includes Seymour’s interest in his kind co-worker named Audrey Funicelli, whom he names his plant after. Funicelli is dating the abusive and sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello. This plant, named Audrey II, promises Seymour fame and fortune for the bloody cost of human flesh.
Based on a 1960 film by Roger Corman, the 1982 musical first premiered in New York. Disney’s Alan Menken and Howard Ashman are the creators behind the play. This musical performance blends several styles of music together, creating a memorable experience for the audience.
In 1986, the film adaptation of the stage musical was released. The movie starred Rick Moranis as Seymour and received good praise from critics.
Manheim is known for his starring roles in the Zombies franchise from Disney and Paramount’s School Spirits. He brings a certain boyish charm to his roles that others lack, resulting in thousands of devoted fans.
His co-star Liz Gillies is no less well-known, having starred in Disney’s Victorious television series and Dynasty on Netflix. This is not her first time on the big stage, having made her Broadway debut in 2008 in 13:The Musical alongside Ariana Grande.
Gillies explained how she, “…was nervous to come back to theater. [She] got lost in TV land for a long, long time. But [she’s] so happy that [she has] finally made the return, because it’s where [she feels] most at home, and it is truest to [her] heart.”
As for Manheim, Little Shop of Horrors is his New York musical debut. The disney star recalls being lucky enough “…to see the show with Jonathon Groff,” who played Seymour in the 2019 off-broadway revival.
Manheim’s portrayal of Seymour is described as “bringing such fun quirky awkwardness to his Seymour.” He is praised for capturing the essence of Seymour in its entirety. Critics have also commended the musical’s sense of humor and intimate setting.
Manheim has also detailed his own love for the show, sharing how he will be “literally sitting back there watching the monitor” while the performance is ongoing.
It is this clear and unquestionable love for the musical that got Milo Manheim the role, which anyone sitting in the audience could see.
Fans of the actors are excited to see the show, with one fan in particular even traveled from Dubai to the Westside Theater just to see this performance.
Little Shop of Horrors is currently playing at Westside Theater in NYC. The musical lasts a little over two hours, including the intermission break. For those interested in the story or the cast, I advise you make your way down to witness the acclaimed musical in person.