Emmy Award nominee T.R. Knight and Tony Award nominee Hannah Cruz are taking over the central roles in the long-running Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Knight will step into the role of Seymour opposite Cruz as Audrey beginning Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Westside Theatre. Their arrival follows the musical’s September milestone celebration marking more than 2,210 performances, making the current staging the longest-running production of the show in history.
The record was previously held by the original 1982 Orpheum production, which was directed by the musical’s book writer and lyricist, Howard Ashman. The current production, now in its eighth year, is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer.
“We couldn’t be happier to have T.R. and Hannah join the Little Shop of Horrors family,” producers Tom Kirdahy, Robert Ahrens and Hunter Arnold said. “There is something deeply special about Seymour and Audrey, and we’re excited to see these two wonderful actors bring their own heart and spirit to the roles.”
A new Seymour and Audrey
Knight earned an Emmy nomination for playing George O’Malley on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. His Broadway credits include Stranger Things: The First Shadow, It’s Only a Play, A Life in the Theatre, Noises Off and Tartuffe.
His Off-Broadway work includes Are You Now or Have You Ever Been, Merchant of Venice, Pocatello, Romeo and Juliet and Scattergood, which earned him a Drama Desk nomination. Knight’s additional screen credits include The Flight Attendant, Genius: Picasso and Einstein, 11.22.63, The Good Wife, 42 and Forge.
Cruz received a 2026 Tony nomination for her portrayal of Svetlana Sergievsky in Chess. She also appeared in the original musicals Suffs and The Connector, with those performances earning her the 2024 Clarence Derwent Award. Her other stage credits include Only Gold and the touring production of Hamilton, in which she played Eliza and received an IRNE Best Actress honor.
Cruz has also appeared in Peacock’s The Copenhagen Test and is part of the upcoming Richard Linklater-directed film Merrily We Roll Along, playing Gussie.
The incoming pair will succeed Ethan Slater and Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe, who play their final performances as Seymour and Audrey on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
More changes at the Westside Theatre
The production will also undergo a change in the role of Mushnik. Tony nominee and Obie Award winner Reg Rogers plays his final performance on September 27, with Stephen DeRosa returning to the part on September 29.
Continuing cast members include Claybourne Elder as Dr. Orin Scrivello D.D.S., Christian McQueen as the voice of Audrey II, Christine Wanda as Ronnette, Savannah Lee Birdsong as Crystal and Morgan Ashley Bryant as Chiffon.
The company also features Teddy Yudain, Weston Chandler Long, Mecca Hicks, Jeff Sears, Aveena Sawyer, Mike Masters, Alloria Frayser, Chani Maisonet, Johnny Newcomb, Jon Hoche, Jonothon Lyons and Noel MacNeal.
An award-winning revival
Little Shop of Horrors features a book and lyrics by Grammy and Academy Award winner Howard Ashman and music by Tony and Academy Award winner Alan Menken. Its story follows struggling florist Seymour, his feelings for co-worker Audrey and the discovery of a mysterious plant with a dangerous appetite. Seymour and Audrey ultimately find themselves in a fight that could determine humanity’s fate.
The current staging won the 2020 Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards for Best Musical Revival. Jonathan Groff received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor, while Christian Borle won both an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama Desk Award for his featured performance. Mayer was honored with the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Director. The production’s album later received a 2021 Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.
Since its 1982 Off-Broadway premiere, the musical has received productions on Broadway, in London’s West End, and across Asia and Australia. A 1986 film adaptation directed by Frank Oz starred Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin.
The Westside Theatre production’s creative team includes scenic designer Julian Crouch, lighting designer Bradley King, costume designer Tom Broecker, sound designer Jessica Paz, puppet designer Nicholas Mahon, and hair and makeup designer Tommy Kurzman. Martin P. Robinson created the original puppet design, Monkey Boys Productions supplies the puppets, and Will Van Dyke serves as music supervisor, orchestrator and arranger.
What Happens Next?
Rogers will depart the production on September 27 before DeRosa’s September 29 return as Mushnik. Slater and Wolfe then conclude their runs on October 25, clearing the way for Knight and Cruz to make their first performances as Seymour and Audrey on October 27, 2026.