Warwick native co-stars in St. Bart's "Little Shop of Horrors"

NEW YORK — Warwick native Kristina Hoti co-stars with a man-eating plant in St. Bart’s Players’ revival of the laugh-out-loud musical "Little Shop of Horrors," now through April 28 at Hudson Guild Theater, 441 West 26th St. (between 9 and 10 Avenues) in New York City.

Little Shop, which is based on the film by Roger Corman and Charles Griffith, boasts a hilarious score by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. It follows the life of Seymour Krelborn, a floral assistant in on Skid Row, who purchases an exotic plant that develops a mysterious need for human flesh. The plant quickly grows into a bad-mannered, RandB singing carnivore. Hoti plays Crystal, one of the doo-wop singing trio that belt out some of Little Shop’s show stoppers.

Hoti's parents, Carmine and Kathleen Garritano, still live in Warwick; Carmine is a retired occupational therapist and Kathleen is a retired school teacher from Greenwood Lake Elementary School. Her sister Jeanine and brother-in-law Craig Wadeson, of Wadeson's Home Center, also live in the area with daughters Madeleine and Annabelle.

A graduate of Warwick Valley elementary, middle and high schools, Hoti earned a bachelor's degree in drama studies from SUNY Purchase. She interned with the Manhattan Class Company and studied in their Actor Training School She’s also an accomplished classical pianist.

Hoti got bit by the acting bug at age seven. Her dad was playing Nathan Detroit in a community theatre production of "Guys and Dolls" and after attending a few rehearsals with him she was cast in the chorus. The following summer, she played Baby June to dad’s Herbie in "Gypsy." While in college she performed summers with several local theatre companies including Creative Theatre/Muddy Water Players in Monroe and Paramount Players in Middletown. Among her favorite roles are Louise in "Gypsy," Cinderella in "Into the Woods," the millworker in "Working," Lady Larkin in "Once Upon a Mattress" and Mary Magdalene in "Jesus Christ Superstar."

The St. Bart’s Players, New York City’s award-winning, longest, continuous-running Off-Off-Broadway theater group, is celebrating its 85th season.

For information and reservations call the St. Bart’s Players Box Office at 212-378-0248, or online at www.stbartsplayers.org. Tickets are $25 regular and $22 for students and seniors.

Warwick native Kristina Hoti is featured in St. Bart’s Players’ revival of Little Shop of Horrors. The laugh-out-loud musical, which opens the troupe’s 85th Season April 18 – 28; will be staged at Hudson Guild Theater, 441 West 26th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues) in New York. For information and reservations call the St. Bart’s Players Box Office 212-378-0248, or online at www.stbartsplayers.org.

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