Feed Me

Beware the plants as 'Little Shop of Horrors' opens at TUTS in Houston

There is a lot of symbolism to Theatre Under The Stars' new production of Little Shop of Horrors: In the show, in the middle of September (now), there is a total solar eclipse (hello, 2024), and then a little green plant suddenly appears — with secret murderous intentions.

Photo courtesy of TUTS

Dion Simmons Grier plays Audrey II.

On October 22-November 3, that same little green plant will appear onstage at TUTS, just in time for Halloween.

“Little Shop of Horrors is the perfect show for Houstonians to enjoy during the Halloween season,” says TUTS artistic director Dan Knechtges. “If you were thrilled by Sweeney Todd last year, you’re going to love what we do with Little Shop of Horrors.”

The macabre musical created by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken features a 1960s-style rock-and-roll score and plenty of dark humor. It's set in the world of Skid Row, where a struggling flower shop and its meek shop boy become instant celebrities after the arrival of a strange and interesting plant.

Leading the cast is Rob Riordan as that shop boy, Seymour, and Mary Kate Moore as Audrey, the coworker he pines for.

They are joined by Dion Simmons Grier as Audrey II, Mark Ivy as Mr. Mushnik, Dan DeLuca as the Dentist, and Simone Gundy as Crystal, Sarah Sachi as Ronnette, and Kiara Caridad as Chiffon, the show's doo-wop Greek chorus.

Joining them in the ensemble are John Ryan Del Bosque, Tyler Ray Lewis, Braden Tanner, Glendaliris Torres-Greaux, and Holland Vavra.

The production is directed by Melissa Rain Anderson, choreographed by Monica Josette, and music directed by Dr. John Cornelius.

Bringing the world of Skid Row to life are costume designer Colleen Grady, lighting designer John Spencer, sound designer Andrew Harper, and hair and makeup designer Kelley Jordan.

Casting is provided by Calleri Jensen Davis Casting and TUTS associate artistic director Laura Peete.

Little Shop of Horrors runs October 22-November 3, 2024, at Theatre Under The Stars. Tickets start at just $40 and are available online at TUTS.com, by calling the TUTS box office at 713-558-8887, or by visiting the box office at 800 Bagby St.

Follow TUTS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

And remember: Don't feed the plants!

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Pop Art

World-renowned interactive balloon art museum glides into Houston

Courtesy of the Balloon Museum.

See Hypercosmo at the Balloon Museum.

Houstonians who love a good psychedelic, interactive, and highly Instagrammable art experience are in luck, because the world-renowned Balloon Museum is opening its doors in Houston on November 15.

As the name indicates, the Balloon Museum focuses particularly on inflatable and air-based art. So balloons, yes, but also aerial installations, interactive lighting displays, and more.

Balloon Museums are located across the globe and have various exhibits. Houston's Balloon Museum will showcase the Pop Air – Art Is Inflatable exhibit, which explores "the intersection of art, air, and creativity," according to a press release. Created by Italy-based Lux Entertainment, the exhibit features large-scale installations, some of which span more than 65,000 square feet.

D.R.E.A.M.S. by Camilla Falsini is coming to the Balloon Museum.Photo courtesy of the Balloon Museum

"The all-encompassing experience stands out for its pop aesthetic, celebrating the power of play and human connection while inviting visitors of all ages to engage with contemporary art in new ways," says the press release.

More concretely, this exhibit will feature the following pieces, created by 14 artists from around the world:

Cyril Lancelin, with Crazy Love for Polygons, invites visitors to explore and build within a geometric dimension.
Italian creative studio Hyperstudio presents three works — Glowing Ballet, 10 Agosto, and Hypercosmo — exploring the balance between chaos and stillness.
Quiet Ensemble inspires wonder with Soft Hurricane and Hypercosmo
Australian studio ENESS introduces Spiritus Sonata, which evokes the magic of childhood through sound.
Karina Smigla-Bobinski creates a direct connection with the viewer through ADA
Silenius by Max Streicher is an ephemeral figure crafted from spinnaker nylon, a delicate and translucent material.
Digital art is represented by Ultravioletto’s VR experience and ARIA – The Breath Immersive Experience, an infinity room by Pepper’s Ghost.
The works of MOTOREFISICO, Pneuhaus & Bike Powered Events, Jimmy Kuehnle, and Rub Kandy encourage active participation, while Filthy Luker’s Goofs — gentle giants — silently observe visitors.

The Balloon Museum sees more than 7 million visitors annually, has been awarded multiple worldwide Best Event Awards in 2022 and 2023, and has even been featured in the Netflix series Emily in Paris. Austin's opening will mark the museum's first location in Texas.

Balloon Museum Spiritus Sonata by ENESS Spiritus Sonata by ENESS.Courtesy of the Balloon Museum

“The world’s largest event dedicated to air and inflatable installations is coming to Houston with monumental and interactive works,” Lux Entertainment founder Roberto Fantauzzi said in a statement. “In Pop Air, play becomes both a language and an intellectual experience — not just physical movement, but a journey inward. The project blends pop culture with conceptual research, engaging even those who don’t typically visit museums and offering them a truly memorable experience."

"Swing" by Motorefisico at Balloon Museum "Swing" by Motorefisico — part of a different international exhibition — shows scale as a child explores.Photo courtesy of the Balloon Museum

Houston's Balloon Museum will be located at 2501 Commerce St. from November 15 through April 19. 2026. Tickets range from $34 to $50, depending on guest's age and time of day, and are available online now.

Hours of operation vary by time and day. See the exhibit's website for details.

interactive exhibits immersive museums galleries international visual-art