Taking creative chances to nourish every point of life is a motto vocalist and actress, Patricia Lacy Aiken, lives by and loves to share with others.
The theater legend, 30-year veteran of the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness and former backup singer for Luthor Vandross, plays the voice of the iconic plant, Audrey II, in the musical production of Little Shop of Horrors. The show runs through Feb. 22 at Theatre 55 at the Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul.
This is Lacy Aiken’s fourth production with Theatre 55, which serves a broader mission to give opportunities to performers over 55, and encourages seasoned artists to showcase their talents and rekindle their passion for the stage. Founded in 2018, Theatre 55 helps enrich the lives of elders as artists, audiences and lifelong learners through theatre performance and education.
Patricia recently spoke to media personality and community activist, Sheletta Brundidge, about the joys of stepping on stage at any age, and the unique family-like bond she and her Little Shop of Horrors castmates built over the course of putting together the production.
“Everybody has to trust each other to make sure that we’re all going to cross that finish line together,” said Lacy Aiken, who stressed the trust and collaboration that comes with pulling a production together in a tight timeline. In addition to preparing for her own role, she helped fellow cast members during rehearsals, offering vocal coaching and line practice.
Brundidge, who recently saw and loved the show, quickly felt the tight knit camaraderie of the cast. “It seems like you guys had a sleepover and then you all went to the theater and put on a show,” she joked.
Lacy Aiken emphasized how working with seasoned actors brings a mutual respect and open communication. Disagreements aren’t swept under the rug – they’re addressed with direct, caring conversations that leave everyone laughing and hugging in the end.
She and Brundidge believe there is something truly special about working with people your own age because it comes with mutual respect and understanding of adult problem-solving that brings refreshing change.
“It’s not about excluding younger folks; it’s about shared experiences, maturity and a drama-free environment where everyone knows how to handle criticism without taking things personally,” said Brundidge. “There’s also comfort in bonding over references to Happy Days, Woody Woodpecker or the Jetsons without having to explain.”
A strong supporter of Theatre 55’s mission, Lacy Aiken believes whether you’ve spent decades raising a family or focusing on a career, it’s never too late to step into the spotlight. During the pandemic, she had to put the brakes on performing to care for her mother, and is appreciative to now be in the position to pursue her performing passion, and connect with all of the different people in the production.
Her advice to folks considering auditioning for a future Theatre 55 production is “Do not be afraid to come in and do an audition because it’s just going to give you more courage and determination to get out and do what you’ve always wanted to do.”
Based on the Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, film by Roger Corman and screenplay by Charles Griffith, Little Shop of Horrors promises theatre goers laughter, inspiration and a reminder that life’s later acts can be the most fulfilling of all.
Little Shop of Horror tickets are available for 7 p.m. showtimes on Feb. 20-22 and a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 22 at Theatre 55 in the Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul.
Ticket cost is $35, with discounted $20 tickets available at theatre55.org. Information about future audition opportunities and classes is also available on the Theatre 55 website.