Cruz and Knight Join Long-Running Little Shop Revival

Key points

• Cruz and Knight begin performances on October 27, 2026, at the Westside Theatre.
• Current stars Ethan Slater and Betsy Wolfe will exit the production on October 25, 2026.
• Cruz is a 2026 Tony nominee for her role in Chess, while Knight is an Emmy nominee for Grey's Anatomy.
• The production is directed by Michael Mayer, who also directed the Chess revival featuring Cruz.
• The show is currently the longest-running production in the history of Little Shop of Horrors.

Background

The Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors opened in October 2019 and resumed in September 2021 after a pandemic closure. The production has featured numerous high-profile actors in the roles of Seymour and Audrey, including Jonathan Groff, Tammy Blanchard, and Darren Criss. The current run continues a tradition of rotating stars to maintain the show's longevity and critical acclaim.

How outlets are covering it

All three sources (Playbill, Broadway.com, and TheaterMania) confirm the casting news and the specific dates for the transition. Playbill and Broadway.com emphasize the actors' recent award nominations and Broadway credits, such as Cruz's Tony nomination for Chess and Knight's role in Stranger Things: The First Shadow. TheaterMania highlights the production's critical success, noting it was called 'the best musical off-Broadway' in their review, and mentions the show's status as the longest-running version in its history. There are no disagreements among the outlets regarding the facts of the casting change.

Why it matters

The addition of two award-nominated actors to a long-running Off-Broadway hit demonstrates the continued prestige and marketability of the venue and the production. It also highlights the trend of major Broadway stars rotating through Off-Broadway hits to maintain audience interest and critical visibility for extended runs.

What to watch

Audiences can expect to see Cruz and Knight in their respective roles starting October 27, 2026. The production will continue its run at the Westside Theatre, with future casting changes likely to follow the established rotation pattern to maintain the show's longevity.