Atlantic City native and Atlantic City Theatre Company managing director returns to the local stage for three October performances of the cult-classic musical
ATLANTIC CITY — Thomas Smith doesn't have to travel far to understand the character he's about to play at Resorts Casino Hotel.
Smith was born in Atlantic City, raised in Mays Landing and graduated from Oakcrest High School before leaving South Jersey for college and pursuing a career in theater.
Now he's back home — and about to feed a very hungry plant.
Smith will play Seymour Krelborn in the Atlantic City Theatre Company's production of Little Shop of Horrors, which comes to the Screening Room at Resorts for three Saturday-night performances Oct. 10, 17 and 24.
Smith stopped by The Kool 98.3 Morning Wake Up with David Allen Pratt this week to talk about the production — and even gave listeners a live sample of one of the musical's best-known songs.
Pratt greeted him by noting his resemblance to Rick Moranis, who played Seymour in the popular 1986 film adaptation.
Smith laughed off the comparison and said he's simply thrilled to get the opportunity.
“I'm very excited to be playing it, but it's a role that's been played wonderfully by a wealth of stellar actors,” Smith said. “And I'm just very grateful to be a person who's getting to bring it to life.”
A South Jersey Homecoming
For Smith, performing the role in Atlantic City carries an additional connection.
“I was born in Atlantic City, raised in Mays Landing,” Smith told Pratt. “I went to Oakcrest High School and I graduated. I went off to Arizona State for my bachelor's and then I came back, and I've been in and out ever since.”
Smith is also the managing director of the nonprofit Atlantic City Theatre Company, which has been working to expand opportunities for professional theater and performers in the Atlantic City area.
Producing Artistic Director Jeremy Rotolo recently said the company makes an effort to cast locally before expanding its searches into the wider region. Smith has also helped create the company's cabaret programming in Atlantic City.
The Resorts production represents another step in that effort.
“This is the kind of show we've been hoping to bring to Atlantic City for a while,” Rotolo said when the production was announced. “We're very excited about the cast of local professionals we're putting together! Hopefully this is the first step of an exciting partnership in Resorts' Screening Room.”
Meet Seymour — and His Very Hungry Plant
For anyone unfamiliar with Little Shop of Horrors, Smith offered Pratt his own description of the show's wonderfully bizarre premise.
Seymour is a struggling florist's apprentice working in a flower shop in the down-on-its-luck Skid Row neighborhood. He's in love with his co-worker, Audrey, while the shop itself is on the verge of failure.
Then Seymour finds a very unusual plant.
“There's a reason somebody left that thing on the side of the road,” Smith joked.
The plant initially appears to be the answer to Seymour's problems, drawing attention to the struggling shop.
There is, however, one rather significant complication.
“It turns out it eats blood,” Smith said.
The plant, which Seymour names Audrey II, increasingly changes his life.
“In the meantime, it gives him every single thing he could possibly want and ask for,” Smith said. “Whether or not it's from the plant or the new confidence he gains is up to interpretation.”
Then things get considerably darker — and funnier.
“He proceeds to debase himself over the course of two hours and hilarity ensues,” Smith said.
The production combines dark comedy, horror, puppetry and the music of composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman.
“There's a lot of puppetry, a lot of funny gags,” Smith said.
Reuniting With an Old Friend
Smith won't be the only performer with South Jersey connections.
Janeena Pinero, recently crowned Miss Atlantic City, plays Audrey. Resorts' announcement identifies Patricia Durante as director and describes the production as featuring a cast of local professionals.
For Smith and Pinero, however, this isn't their first time sharing a stage.
Smith told Pratt they performed youth theater together growing up.
“I was very lucky to grow up doing youth theater with her,” Smith said. “She was my Anita in West Side Story.”
Now, years later, they're playing two of musical theater's best-known roles together in Atlantic City.
“She's a very gifted vocalist and a very gifted actor,” Smith said. “It's going to be a gift to see her handle both the text and the vocals of this show.”
Smith also singled out Philadelphia performer Cookie Diorio, whom he described as both a popular drag performer and a classically trained opera and R&B vocalist.
Building a Theater Scene in Atlantic City
The production also represents something larger than three performances of a popular musical.
Atlantic City Theatre Company says its mission is to produce professional theater and educational opportunities that encourage creative professionals to “live, work, and grow” in the community.
The organization has been steadily expanding its footprint. Along with full productions, it offers acting workshops and has developed cabaret performances featuring local artists.
Now it is taking Little Shop of Horrors into Resorts' Screening Room — an intimate venue that the casino and theater company believe is particularly suited to the production.
Resorts President and CEO Mark Giannantonio said the casino was excited to host the musical while supporting arts in the local community.
For Smith, that means an opportunity to help build a professional theater community in the same part of South Jersey where he first discovered performing.
And he gave Kool 98.3 listeners a preview.
Near the end of the interview, Pratt asked Smith to demonstrate those singing chops.
Smith obliged, performing a portion of “Suddenly Seymour” live in the studio.
“Bravo!” Pratt responded when he finished. “I wish I had some flowers.”
Three Shows at Resorts
Little Shop of Horrors will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 in the Screening Room at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Resorts lists the production as PG-13 because of mature themes, suggestive language and simulated violence.
Tickets and additional information are available through Resorts Casino Hotel's Little Shop of Horrors page.
For Smith, opening night will amount to something of a homecoming: an Atlantic City native and Oakcrest graduate playing Seymour in a professional production just miles from where he grew up.
Only this time, he'll be sharing the stage with a giant carnivorous plant.
Thomas Smith made his comments on The Kool 98.3 Morning Wake Up with David Allen Pratt, heard Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m. on Kool 98.3.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
