While watching the designer run for Porchlight’s upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors, it struck me that there were several similarities to the movie Gremlins that hadn’t previously occurred to me. Spoiler alert: you already know all this.

In Little Shop, the plant (Audrey II) is purchased in a market from a Chinese merchant. In Gremlins, the Mogwai (Gizmo) is purchased from a Chinatown shopkeeper.

In Little Shop, the problems start when Seymour feeds the plant. In Gremlins, feeding the animals after midnight starts the havoc.

In Little Shop, the plant’s reproduction exacerbates the problem. In Gremlins, the same happens.

Joe Dante directed Gremlins. Joe Dante started his career with Roger Corman, who directed the original Little Shop movie.

A few words about designer runs from an article on TimeLine Theatre’s website. It’s “a complete run of the entire play that everyone in attendance accepts in advance is not going to be good.” WRONG. This one was a blast, including some interesting off stage goings on involving a large carnivorous plant that you don’t get to see from the audience in the actual run.

“Given that it is the first time the actors have an audience, there is always a need to defuse the situation for them – to remind them that everyone understands they are about to witness a train wreck.” WRONG AGAIN. No humans, plants or trains were harmed in this designer run and the actors, and the few lucky attendees, had a great time. I hope the actors don’t tone down any of their hamming it up in the upcoming performances. It was FUN.

The show opens at the Biograph Theater on November 4, but I hope to report more before then, after I see the last tech rehearsal, when I’ll be a plant in the audience.