Little Shop of Horrors, Audrey II Paint Test Leaf

original production material

“Feed me, Seymour!” This 3.5” x 2” painted fiberglass test leaf was made for the production of the 1986 Frank Oz musical Little Shop of Horrors starring Rick Moranis. The piece helped the model department to visualize how the killer plant from outer space would look during filming and how best to color the hero foliage, which ended up being slightly duller in appearance and flexible. Lyle Conway, Audrey II’s designer and creator, was nominated for an Oscar for his work on the movie. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman wrote the songs for the off-Broadway production and the film adaptation. The duo is probably best known for their contributions to the Walt Disney features The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and Aladdin (1992).