London, Ont., theatre cancels Little Shop of Horrors after Black artists push back over all-white cast

The Palace Theatre says it's cancelling its May production of the 1980s horror-comedy musical Little Shop of Horrors in London, Ont., after some artists criticized its decision to proceed with the play without Black actors in the roles of a trio of Black women singers. 

The theatre's executive director, Melissa Parker, called the original casting decision a "blindspot" that didn't recognize the cultural significance and representation of several characters and music, and acknowledged it failed the Black community. 

"After hearing from the community, and Black actors in particular, we have decided to not go forward with the production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Palace Theatre this year," Parker told CBC News on Thursday. 

"We are going to take this time to step back, listen, learn, and take action to do better for the Black community and all the people we represent at the theatre."

After the Palace Theatre announced its cast, various Black artists said it lacked the understanding that the roles of Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon — three Black street urchins in the movie version who were named after popular girl groups from the 1960s — are rooted in the Black experience. 

London actor Kih Becke is set to play Crystal in Neptune Theatre's production of the play in Halifax starting in March.

"There are context clues that tell you the characters are Black and they're named after three iconic Black girl groups," Becke said Wednesday.

"For so long, doors have been closed for marginalized communities, so it's not harming a community by providing more opportunity for people who don't get it — it is harming a community by taking an opportunity away from a community that doesn't get it."

While not a direct part of the 1986 cult classic's storyline, Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon appear as a Greek chorus in every song and sing directly to the audience in a narrative style, using the dialect of African-American Vernacular English. 

Parker said no Black actors auditioned for the roles, but acknowledged the theatre didn't make extra efforts to diversify its search — a procedure she vows to change moving forward. 

"I do think that a lot of times people just go about doing things the way they've always done and that's what's happened here over the years. But it's 2025 ... Things need to be different; there need to be different approaches, training and understandings of cultural representation and decolonization as well." 

'A wakeup call'

Alexandra Kane, a music director and head of London's Black Lives Matter chapter, said the casting choice was "hurtful, harmful, disrespectful and just completely tone deaf," adding the Palace should reflect on why Black actors didn't audition for the play.

"It's tough to get everybody that you want to see in an audition, speaking as a music director. But to solve those issues, we call around, we look for what we need to fill roles," said Kane.

"We don't just say, 'Oh well, nobody else came so this is what we have.' We don't just settle. If you're committed to it, then you make it a priority and make sure it happens."

Including marginalized voices on artistic teams can help cast and crew members from various communities feel represented, Kane and Becke said. 

Saying the experience is "a wake-up call," Parker added it's important to enhance different programs and ensure all communities feel heard and respected in space like a community theatre, which is meant for everyone to enjoy. 

She said her team will continue critical conversations with the overall community, "with a commitment to listen, learn, adapt and empower." These steps will include expanding their search for actors to other regions, and more diversity, equity and inclusion training.

"This is something we take the ownership of and we want to move forward in making sure everyone feels safe, welcome and included." 

The Palace Theatre hopes to relaunch a production of the musical down the road, but with the Black community on its side, said Parker. The musical will be replaced with another play for May and Parker's team is still working to determine which one.

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