Ellen Greene, 75, revives iconic Audrey for Little Shop of Horrors 40th anniversary

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Ellen Greene is reprising her role as Audrey from *Little Shop of Horrors* for 40th anniversary screenings across the US, with stops from Seattle to Atlanta this weekend. She still uses the distinctive breathy, squeaky New York voice that made her character an icon, a choice she says 'just came out' at the audition. Greene, now 75, first played the role off-Broadway in 1982 before starring in Frank Oz's 1986 film opposite Rick Moranis.

The screenings mark the latest chapter in a career-long association with the musical. Greene remembers first hearing the ballad 'Somewhere That's Green' while on the unemployment line. She says composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman, a close friend who died in 1991, helped shape her performance. Producer David Geffen had wanted a 'bigger name' like Cyndi Lauper for the film, but test audiences loved Greene's work so much they rejected an original ending where her character dies.