Thoughts from the Publisher

Recently, I have felt as though I am in a world filled with a whirlwind of fundraisers. There are so many great local charities in need that it is difficult to say no, as long as my budget holds out. A month or so ago I was attending my third charity event of the week. Standing with door-prize tickets clutched in my hand, I puzzled over why the numbers being read as winners were nowhere even near the numbers in my hot little hand. Ah, revelation, the tickets in hand were from the event the night before. In all the hubbub I had merely dropped the losing tickets in my purse instead of tossing them into the trash. Luckily, I quickly retrieved the correct stubs from a pocket in my handbag and found that I was indeed the winner of a rather impressive basket geared for outdoor patio dining.
We all know how hard volunteers work to plan festivities in order to add dollars to their coffers. Most of those types of events include some sort of entertainment, food, wine (yippee) silent auctions and/or raffle/drawings/chances/door prizes, or whatever term is appropriate these days to keep it all legal.
A couple of weeks ago, the Friends of Long Beach Animals hosted a benefit for the animals at the Long Beach Playhouse. This particular event featured all the expected elements for a successful fundraiser, except one. This charity event included a performance of Little Shop of Horrors (LSOH), a ghoulishly fun musical that takes place in a failing Skid Row florist shop.
Besides visiting with attendees, partaking of the refreshments and participating in the various drawings, experiencing this top-notch production during the event made this fundraiser a winner in my eyes.
Having seen the movie version of LSOH as well as another theatre’s interpretation several years ago, I was anxious to see what our local Playhouse would do with the storyline and songs. I was not disappointed. Although I wish some of the female players’ voices had projected a bit more volume, all in all it was an incredibly enjoyable evening.
For those of you who didn’t attend the fundraiser and haven’t had the chance to see LSOH at the Long Beach Playhouse, take a look at the press release below. I think you’ll be pleased to know it isn’t too late to experience an entertaining theatre production at reasonable prices, and practically in your own back yard.
 
Due to popular demand the Playhouse will be extending their run of Little Shop of Horrors one extra weekend! Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29 at 8pm Audrey II will be taking another bite out of the Mainstage scenery. 
Seymour, a down-and-out Skid Row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon Audrey II grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding her growing appetite. A sadistic, nitrous oxide-inhaling dentist is just one of Audrey II’s gustatory delights as she eats her way through Seymour’s friends and acquaintances. When botanists want to make cuttings to send all over the world, Seymour discovers the truth about Audrey II and knows he must stop her before it’s too late. 
Admission for adults is $24, seniors $21, and students $14. Tickets are available at lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1. 
Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St. Performances are 8pm Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm Sundays. The box office is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3pm to 8pm, and Sundays from 1pm to 2pm on scheduled matinees only. For more information or to purchase tickets visit lbplayhouse.org or call (562) 494-1014.