Alan Menken Explains How His Family’s Background in Dentistry Lent Itself to Seymour’s First Kill in “Little Shop of Horrors” (Exclusive)

**Alan Menken Reflects on Personal Influences in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Ahead of Its 40th Anniversary**

As the industry prepares to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beloved musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ on December 19, composer Alan Menken is looking back with a mix of nostalgia and familial pride. The film, initially released in 1986, has been given a fresh look with its release in 4K UHD on October 6, providing fans with an opportunity to rediscover its unique charm and dark humour.

Alan Menken, now 77, collaborated with writer Howard Ashman to transform the story of a hapless florist and his bloodthirsty plant into a theatrical masterpiece. During a recent conversation with PEOPLE, Menken opened up about the ways his own family history informed some of the narratives within the musical, particularly one of its most memorable scenes.

A notable moment in the story is the dentist, Orin Scrivello, who meets his untimely and comical demise by asphyxiation while under the influence of nitrous oxide. Menken revealed that this premise was rooted in his family’s long-standing connection to dentistry. “In our family, we are just lousy with dentists,” he remarked, detailing how multiple generations, including his father and grandfather, dedicated their careers to the profession.

Menken noted that there was an expectation for him to follow in their footsteps, though he ultimately chose a different path. This background provided a unique perspective when it came to crafting the humorous yet gory aspects of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. “I think it was expected, ‘Well, I guess Alan’s going to be a dentist,’ and that didn’t happen,” he reminisced.

The origins of the dentist character can actually be traced back to a less serious version in Roger Corman’s original 1960 film. Menken highlighted how they transformed the character for the musical, crafting a scene that not only maintained the dark humour but was also more appropriate for a musical setting. “In the original film, Seymour just throws something off a bridge and feeds a bum to Audrey II,” Menken explained. “We knew that wouldn’t work for our version.”

Instead, they opted for a more whimsical demise, where the dentist succumbs to laughter induced by nitrous oxide, which Menken associated with his father’s work as the president of the New York chapter of the American Analgesia Society, an organisation that advocated for the safe use of the gas in dentistry. “Nitrous oxide is the kind of high that makes you forget about the pain while you’re in the chair, so we thought why not have the dentist laugh himself to death on the gas?” he recalled, reflecting on how they incorporated this element into the overall score of the musical.

However, not everyone was enamoured by the unconventional homage. Initially, Menken’s parents had reservations about how he used their profession as material for the outrageous plot. He recounted sharing his projects with them via cassette tapes back in the day, only to receive a mixed response upon their first hearing. His mother voiced her concerns, questioning how a parent devoted to promoting the safe use of nitrous oxide would feel about their child writing such a scene.

Despite their initial discomfort, Menken noted that once ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ found success, his parents took pride in their son’s work, transforming their apprehensions into delight. “Once the show was a hit, my parents delighted in it,” he stated, a clear sense of familial happiness evident in his words.

As fans eagerly anticipate the re-release of the film, it serves as a reminder not only of its distinct storytelling and memorable characters but also of the personal touches that infused the script with authenticity and charm. Menken’s reflections underscore how deeply rooted family experiences can influence creative work and bring a unique layer to artistic expression.

At a time when musical storytelling continues to evolve, the impact of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ remains steadfast, resonating with audiences old and new. Its blend of comedy, horror, and memorable music stands as a notable contribution to the genre, enriched by the personal anecdotes of its distinguished composer.

As we celebrate this milestone, it’s clear that Alan Menken’s journey through ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is not just a tale of success in the performing arts but also a deeply personal one, connecting veins of family history with creative ingenuity. With its upcoming release, the film is set to thrill audiences all over again, reminding us of the delightful darkness that can emerge from both life and art.