Special Episode: Ruby Lewis on finding her Audrey voice in ‘Little Shop’

Summary

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BroadwayRadio Special Episode: Ruby Lewis on Finding Her Audrey Voice in ‘Little Shop’

Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Matt Tamanini
Guest: Ruby Lewis

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Episode Overview

In this special BroadwayRadio episode, host Matt Tamanini sits down with Ruby Lewis, the acclaimed actress currently starring as Audrey in Riverside Theater’s Little Shop of Horrors in Vero Beach, Florida. The conversation explores Ruby’s unique process of finding her version of the iconic Audrey voice, her journey with this “cult musical,” the joys and discoveries of working in regional theater, her wide-ranging stage and voiceover career, and her love for Halloween and Disney. The episode gives listeners an insider’s glimpse into regional theater production life and the artistry behind breathing new life into a beloved character.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Preview & Tech Process at Riverside Theater

• Ruby’s Excitement About Live Audiences (03:14)
  • Ruby describes the anticipation and energy of finally performing before an audience after weeks of rehearsal. She notes:
    • “You really just need an audience, especially for a show like this... The show has truly come to life with people in those seats.”
    • She enjoys the rare “cult musical” dynamic where some audience members sing along and bring a “Rocky Horror”-style enthusiasm, which she finds energizing, not distracting.
      • “I thought it was hilarious. It tickled me.” (04:18)
  • The process of previews is new for the Riverside Theater and has been “super helpful” for refining comedic timing and audience interaction.

2. Discovering Her Audrey – Sincerity, Comedy, and Camp

• Striking an Honest-Camp Balance (05:41)
  • Ruby entered the production intent on playing Audrey with sincerity, referencing script notes to not “overplay” the jokes:
    • “These are sincere characters... it’s not meant to be shticky... but you do have to find the shtick in it, and especially by the end, the camp of it.”
  • She relishes discovering comedic facets within Audrey, a departure from her typically more dramatic roles.
• Developing the Audrey Voice and Accent (09:49)
  • Ruby’s Audrey accent emerged “organically,” influenced by Ellen Greene but avoiding imitation:
    • “I didn’t want to mimic her, but I did want to emulate her.”
    • A slight lisp and particular vocal placement evolved in rehearsal: “It’s weird how it kind of just organically started happening... It’s like putting—I put it on kind of like I put on the coat at the top of the show, and it kind of miraculously stays there.”

3. The Joys, Growth, and Community of Regional Theater

• Growth Through the Process (06:54, 07:51)
  • Ruby credits her director and friend DJ Salisbury with providing a supportive environment for discovery:
    • “I think it’s also because our director... has given me space to discover. And in that discovery, I feel proud.”
  • Regional theater here feels collaborative and nurturing, from “hugs, hugs, hugs, first day of school” to spontaneous cast bonding (e.g., pumpkin carving—13:59).
  • She praises Riverside’s leadership, especially amidst ongoing renovations and community engagement: “This community drives this theater, and the theater drives the community.” (14:41)

4. Halloween Traditions & Fun

• Costume Hunting Philosophy (11:14)
  • Ruby loves Halloween, favoring vintage, biographical costumes discovered organically through thrift shopping.
    • “I generally, I lean into the biographical. I like to be a person, like an actual someone who has lived.”
  • Memorable past costumes: Twiggy, Janet from Rocky Horror, Elizabeth Taylor, and aspirations for Diane Keaton.

5. Versatility Across Media – Acting, Voiceover, and Beyond

• Approach to Different Performance Modes (16:05)
  • Ruby sees a through-line between acting onstage, on camera, or in voiceover:
    • “The acting always feels the same to me... My intention is always to convince the audience... that I am that character and that I am speaking the truth.”
  • She shares a recent voiceover experience as a Brooklyn owl for a Jeep commercial and references her work as Malibu Barbie, noting how kids play her song “Dreamhouse” over and over—“So I’m like the coolest. I’m the coolest friend.” (17:48)

6. Assembling a Stellar Cast

• Deep Respect and Camaraderie (18:31)
  • Ruby describes the ensemble as uniquely star-powered: “We all agreed everyone is a star in this show. Every single individual.”
  • Highlights include:
    • The “urchins”—three powerhouse women blending both vocally and with big personalities.
    • Nicholas Ward (Seymour) with “eight Broadway credits,” who turned down a New York offer for this production.
    • Clint, the actor/puppeteer behind Audrey II, “animates that puppet” remarkably.
    • Mushnik’s actor is described as an “actor’s actor,” with notable tv/film credits.
    • Adam LaSalle (the Dentist) surprises audiences with both charm and comedic range.
    • Ruby finds something special in being an “older” Audrey alongside an “older” Seymour:
      • “There’s an urgency in their love story being older that I think really works in this production and is very sweet.”
    • On (almost) missing out because of age: “Sometimes you think you got to let go of roles that you want to play... So to have this opportunity feels—I don’t want to say swan song... but it is sometimes you have to let roles go because you think maybe you’ve aged out of them.” (21:48)

7. Personal Fulfillment in the Role of Audrey

• The “Which Audrey Are You?” Instagram Moment (23:14)
  • Ruby identifies with the most “giddy, grinning” photo:
    • “I am the Audrey with the giddy grin on my face and just hugging, you know, getting a good, warm hug... I’m going to be a number three until the show closes.” (23:37)
    • “I just feel like a kid in a candy shop. I’m just pleased as punch.”

8. Florida Adventures

• Looking Forward to Disney World (24:11)
  • Ruby eagerly anticipates a trip to Disney World, making the most of her time in Florida and reconnecting with childhood experiences.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On audience participation:

  • “It kind of feels like we’re doing, you know, like a Rocky Horror type thing where people feel comfortable being a part of the show.” – Ruby Lewis [04:47]

• On acting across media:

  • “The acting always feels the same to me... My intention is always to convince the audience that I am that character and that I am speaking the truth, I guess, if that makes sense.” – Ruby Lewis [16:05]

• On the uniqueness of older leads:

  • “There’s something different when the Seymour and the Audrey are both... maybe a little past their prime... There’s an urgency in their love story being older that I think really works in this production and is very sweet.” – Ruby Lewis [21:42]

• On gratitude for the role:

  • “I just feel like a kid in a candy shop. I’m just pleased as punch.” – Ruby Lewis [23:37]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:14] – Ruby’s reflections on previews and audience energy
• [05:41] – Balancing comedy and honesty in Audrey’s character
• [09:49] – Crafting her unique Audrey accent and vocal approach
• [11:14] – Halloween traditions and costumes
• [13:59] – Community and camaraderie in the Riverside company
• [16:05] – On acting consistency across media and disciplines
• [18:31] – Shout-outs to castmates and the production’s collaborative dynamic
• [21:42] – The impact of age on portraying Audrey and Seymour
• [23:14] – The “Which Audrey are you?” Instagram and personal fulfillment
• [24:11] – Disney World plans and childhood nostalgia

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Episode Tone

Warm, enthusiastic, collaborative, and genuine.
Ruby Lewis and Matt Tamanini maintain a conversational, mutual-admiration style that highlights the joy and artistry of regional theater and infuses excitement about community and personal growth. The tone conveys both the fun quirks of live theater and the thoughtful processes at work behind the scenes.

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Transcript

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[Ruby Lewis]

Foreign.

[Matt Tamminini]

To a special interview episode of Broadway Radio My name is Matt Tamminini. On today's episode I'm in conversation with Ruby Lewis, who is currently starring as Audrey in the Riverside Theater production of Little Shop of Horrors down in my neck of the woods over in Vero Beach, Florida. Ruby is one of those incredibly well rounded theatrical performers. Not only did she make her Broadway debut as the lead Indigo in the Cirque du Soleil Broadway musical extravaganza Paramore, but she has also done a ton of stuff across the country, specifically in Las Vegas where she was one of the stars of Baz, which was the Baz Luhrmann jukebox musical that played there for quite a long time. She was most recently seen in New York this past spring at the New York Theater Workshop with their production of Lights Out Nat King Cole. She's also done Love actually Live multiple times. She's been on tour in Greece, Jersey Boys, We Will Rock youk and she's done a ton of theater across the country as well. She's also released music, been on tv, and is an in demand voiceover actress as well. In our conversation we talk about all things Little Shop, how she found her specific version of Audrey's voice, what it means to her to be doing this role after thinking that she might have aged out of the opportunity, what type of Halloween plans she has for her time here in Florida, and much more. The Riverside Theater is one of the best theaters in Florida, and their production of Little Shop is currently slated to run through November 9th. I talked with Ruby yesterday on Monday, and they are actually opening their production tonight on Tuesday, October 21st. So with all of that out of the way, here's my conversation with the wonderful Ruby Lewis. All right, Ruby, so you are all through the tech process, the preview process. You open tomorrow night. How has the first week or so of Little Shop at the Riverside Theater gone?

[Ruby Lewis]

We have been so excited to. You know, you go through this long rehearsal process, and then you really just need an audience, especially for a show like this, where you. You need to know if the jokes are working. You need to know how to time them out. And so having a preview, having previews, it doesn't always happen in regional theater, but it's been super helpful in this process. And it's just. The show has truly come to life with people in those seats, and it really is just organically so much fun for us and the audience at the same time. And you know how. That's why I love theater, because of the reciprocity of it. And I just couldn't be more thrilled that people. They get it. You know, you can tell people have seen the movie. You can tell we've got people singing along with us. And so it's. I haven't been a part of a. Kind of a cult musical like this before, so it's just really a different energy.

[Matt Tamminini]

I was gonna say, is the audience singing along with you? Is that good, or is that, like, distracting? Is that a positive? I don't know.

[Ruby Lewis]

I don't mind. I don't mind. I'm finding it. Okay. Twice now, I've heard women in the crowd singing along with me on Somewhere that's Green. I've heard. I mean, first night I heard Betty Crocker out in the crowd, and I mean, I just. It just. I thought it was hilarious. It tickled me.

[Matt Tamminini]

Yeah. When it sounds like they were getting the. The appropriate Audrey accent down, too. If that's the way they were saying.

[Ruby Lewis]

Betty Crocker, they surely got it. And I talked to my castmates afterwards. I said, it kind of feels like we're doing, you know, like a Rocky Horror type thing where people feel comfort, comfortable being a part of the show. And honestly, it doesn't bother me if that's what they want to do and how they want to enjoy it all, you know, all power to them.

[Matt Tamminini]

Yeah. Well, I was at yesterday's show. And I brought a friend with me who I think at intermission, she's like, I did see. I think I've seen the movie. But she went in being as blind as somebody who I think goes to the theater regularly can be this far into the run of Little Shop. But that was a ton of fun to see my friend discover it. But then the audience. But I wonder for you, you said you've never been a part of a show like this. I'm assuming this is the first time you've done Little Shop. Have there been things that you have discovered about this show or about Audrey throughout the rehearsal process and those first few preview performances?

[Ruby Lewis]

For sure. It's been. I wanted. I went into the show wanting to play Audrey with such a sincerity. You know, there's a. There's a note at the top of the script that says, don't overplay these jokes. Really. You know, these are sincere characters. And, you know, it's not like yucca yucca. It's not shticky. It's not meant to be shticky. But you do have to find the shtick in it, and especially by the end, the camp of it. So for me, it's been. It was a balance in learning how to play Audrey very honestly, but to still make people laugh, and that's been the most fun for me. You don't. I don't often get to play comedic roles. You know, a lot of times I'm. I'm so super dramatic in what I do. But this is just finding the. Finding the humor in it has been so much fun.

[Matt Tamminini]

Well, and you mentioned kind of like the campy, and I. You had me in stitches. I think you had the whole audience in stitches yesterday. Like, that has to be. For somebody who has done so much dramatic stuff in the past to have an opportunity to kind of let loose and show that side of not only your acting abilities, but your personality as well. I'm sure that has to be kind of a little freeing and fun for a performer as well.

[Ruby Lewis]

It's been surprising to me how I've been able to tap into it and channel it. Yeah. And I think that I am pulling from so many places. I mean, I'm pulling from Lucille Ball. I'm pulling from Carol Channing. Like, I am. I've grown a lot, and I've only been here in Vero for, you know, like, a month now. I've grown so much from this process. And I think it's also because our director and my friend DJ Salisbury has given me space to Discover. And in that discovery, I feel proud of what we're doing, what I'm doing. And to be honest, maybe yesterday might have been the only time that Brian and I got through the show without cracking each other up on stage, because.

[Matt Tamminini]

I can see why. Yeah, yeah.

[Ruby Lewis]

We're just. We're really leaning into it. And it's. When you're. Especially when you're really in somebody's face and delivering those lines like that, it's hard not to break. And that's part of the challenge, too.

[Matt Tamminini]

Well, and that's so interesting to hear you say, like, you. You feel like you've grown so much through this process. I imagine as an actor, like, that's always, like, the goal. You want to not only give yourself to the character, but you probably want to take something from the character and the process and all of that. But, like, that. That seems like that's an aspect of being a performer of any kind. Especially, you know, in theater, though, that the audience doesn't really understand that this is a human experience for the actor as much as it is for the people in the audience watching.

[Ruby Lewis]

Yes. And, you know, we've been saying the crowds. I think this is the first time perhaps that Riverside has done a preview performance. And I think people might be confused by that term. But in New York City, I love to go to a preview because I like to see the work early on, and then I like to see how the work has evolved and go later once the show is open and frozen. And for performers, really, preview process is the opportunity to grow and to try things, you know, try a joke. If it doesn't land, you know, cut it, change it, whatever. And previews allow you to do that. And so, yeah, I think that having that space for us, too, even though it's just. It's been a short preview period, it's. We've been allowed to kind of try things and try things with each other, and it's just been really fun in that way and professional in that way.

[Matt Tamminini]

Well, one of the things that I wanted to ask about that process and trying things is you are from. Originally from Kentucky. I don't know if that comes with an accent. I'm from Ohio, so I'm very familiar with those accents. But you have a very standard American way of speaking right now, Audrey, a very different type of accent. So, like, what goes into finding your Audrey voice? And then I imagine it's something you have to be able to balance between speaking and singing, because it is consistent throughout. It's not like you can Be doing the thick Audrey accent and then all of a sudden sing in your normal voice. What was that process like? And what were you really trying to aim for?

[Ruby Lewis]

It did happen really organically, too. But, I mean, I really. I'm such a huge fan of Ellen Green and her portrayal of Audrey that I didn't want to mimic her, but I did want to emulate her. And I even found myself. I didn't plan on having a little bit of a lisp, but I do. It's weird how it kind of just organically started happening in the rehearsal room, and then, you know, I. Putting on her. Her accent and putting on the placement of her voice. It's kind of like once I found it, I did have to massage it a little bit. And then I. It's still something I have to think about in every single word I say. Yeah, it's like I. It's there, but it's like you said, it's not Kentucky and it's not. You know, my natural voice sits a lot lower and. But it's like putting. I put it on kind of like I put on the coat at the top of the show, and it kind of miraculously stays there.

[Matt Tamminini]

Yeah, that's how. That's very fun. It works wonderfully. And I did, like, you could hear the Ellen, but it was still a very distinctly different version, which is a lot of fun. But. Well, you mentioned putting on the coat. The costumes, as always in Little Shop, especially with Audrey, are very fun. But during this run of Little Shop, you're going to be here for Halloween. You seem to me to be somebody that probably enjoys Halloween. Is that. Is that accurate?

[Ruby Lewis]

I do. I'm just so excited.

[Matt Tamminini]

Do you have a costume in mind? Have you been. I know you've been super busy, so you had a chance to think about what you might be doing for Halloween this year.

[Ruby Lewis]

Today, the plan is I'm gonna go with some cast members to Goodwill. We're gonna hit up a couple of Goodwills, and I like to find my costume organically like that. I'll see something, and then it'll reveal itself. So I don't like to spend a lot of money on it. But I'm thinking today I'm going to find my costume, and it's going to be meant for me. It's going to be a spiritual experience.

[Matt Tamminini]

What are you. What are your. Some of your favorites from years past?

[Ruby Lewis]

I generally, I lean into the biographical. I like to be a person, like an actual someone who has lived. I. One year I was Twiggy I loved. You know, I like the mod that was pretty easily emulated. I've played. Yeah. I usually like to go as a person. I did go as Janet from Rocky Horror one year, and I went with a Rocky. So we turned head.

[Matt Tamminini]

Okay.

[Ruby Lewis]

Very scantily plaid.

[Matt Tamminini]

The white slip costume. Yes.

[Ruby Lewis]

I was in New York City for that one, so I was walking around.

[Matt Tamminini]

I remember a little cold, probably.

[Ruby Lewis]

I remember being cold. Let's see. Elizabeth Taylor. Yeah. I like to go as the movie stars. We had teased going as the Scooby Doo characters because, you know, I love a group costume, of course. So I had teased going as either Velma or Daphne, but I'm not sure. I think we're all gonna branch out on our own. I don't. I try not to get political with my costumes. So. Yeah, I usually like to bring a throwback. Throw it back. I don't know. Maybe in honor of Diane Keaton.

[Matt Tamminini]

That would be good.

[Ruby Lewis]

I might be looking for a pantsuit today.

[Matt Tamminini]

Hmm. I was gonna say there's probably some pretty interesting options at a Goodwill to throw together for a Diane Keaton costume, that's for sure.

[Ruby Lewis]

I think in Vero Beach, I might have some. Okay, so maybe that's it.

[Matt Tamminini]

The demographics out there in that part of Florida could probably align themselves with that search. For sure.

[Ruby Lewis]

I think you're right.

[Matt Tamminini]

So, as you said, this is a little bit of a different process from a lot of other regional theaters. A lot of regional theaters, you don't have an opportunity to do previews. I also know that you said you've been in Vero for a month now, and that's a pretty healthy amount of time for a rehearsal process for a regional theater show. What has. This is your first experience with Riverside? What is the experience been like for you? You said you're friends with DJ Salisbury, who's the director. Like, what has the. The entire process, from start to finish, been at least thus far with Little Shop at Vero?

[Ruby Lewis]

Well, I mean, I was fortunate to come in with multiple friends. I also knew Brian, who plays Seymour. And so when you come into a rehearsal process, knowing people immediately, it's like, hugs, hugs, hugs. First day of school. You know, just everyone's so happy to be there. And it's a small cast, so we got to know each other really quickly. And, you know, there's. Everyone's a gem. Just everyone is so talented, but also so funny and fun. You know, we all hung out yesterday after our matinee. We. We did pumpkin carving, and we just really enjoy each other's company. And then, you know, leadership wise, John Moses has. It always starts from the top down, you know, and he set up a space where everyone is safe and included and dreaming. I mean, they're going through a huge renovation right now. And we were made privy to the plans for the theater on day one. And it just. Everyone just felt like, wow, this is. It's just good news. It's good news for the theater community. And, you know, with recessions, a lot of times people are like, oh, no, maybe the arts are going to be the first to go. At Riverside, it feels. It's the opposite. It feels like this community drives this theater and the theater drives the community. And it's just. It's just good vibes. It feels like we're. We're a part of something that makes a difference and that's going to be around for a very long time. So, yeah, we're all just really happy.

[Matt Tamminini]

Yeah, very good. Well, you've performed at a number of regional theaters across the country, but you've also obviously been on Broadway, done tv, you've done recording. You spent a lot of time in Vegas. I always wonder from actors who are going and doing so many different types of performances, whether it's theater or on screen or music, is that all part of the same thing for you, or are those individual disciplines and that you need to have a different skill set for each one, or is it all just kind of picking from different, you know, from the same toolbox, depending on what the actual assignment is on that given thing?

[Ruby Lewis]

I mean, the acting always feels the same to me. It's the same kind of challenge to me. And it's delivering, you know, dialogue, honestly. Always feels the same whether it's a show in Vegas or on tv, if it's a voiceover or if it's a commercial. That always feels the same. I guess, tackling the project. The project always feels different. But I mean, really. Yeah, the discipline itself feels the same. It's like I'm always. My intention is always to convince the audience, whether they be on the other side of the screen or whether they're sitting in their seat, that I am that character and that I am speaking the truth, I guess, if that makes sense. I mean, even like yesterday I recorded a Jeep commercial and I was playing an owl from Brooklyn. And the owl. I wanted the owl to really. I wanted people to be convinced that I was the owl. So it's the same. It's the same. And it's. It's why I. It's why I love Doing it. So much fun.

[Matt Tamminini]

I can't wait. Yeah, I can't wait to hear the Jeep commercial with a. With an owl voice so that we know it's you lot. Lots of hooing in there.

[Ruby Lewis]

I guess it was all about how this new Jeep has night vision and the owl was like, oh, oh, no. Humans have night vision too. Ok.

[Matt Tamminini]

I love that. I love it. And I should admit, when I ran through all the different types of things you do, I am remiss that I did not mention the voiceover. Obviously, I'm talking to Malibu Barbie. So I would imagine the last couple years with the Barbie excitement, that's kind of cool as well.

[Ruby Lewis]

It's really cool. I had people come out of the woodwork and say this one particular song, Dreamhouse, I mean, their little girls or little boys play it over and over and over again on YouTube and it's my voice. So I'm like the coolest. I'm the coolest friend.

[Matt Tamminini]

Yeah, very good. Very fun. Well, getting back to Little Shop, you said that you came in with some friends you knew. Brian, the cast is tremendous from top to bottom for people who are maybe in either the Vero area or in Florida and are thinking about coming and seeing the show. They love the show, but maybe they don't know anybody by name. And it's. Tell us about this cast and what people can expect when they see each of these very talented individuals on stage.

[Ruby Lewis]

Man. Well, I mean, I'll preface this question by saying when we set bows, it was hard to decide. You know, certain shows, it's like the star gets the last bow. We all agreed everyone is a star in this show. Every single individual. You know, there are the urchins and each woman who has come to the table as an urchin. Oh, my God. They didn't know each other before, but they. The way their voices blend, the way their personalities blend, the way. And they're all coming from amazing credits. Doing Dreamgirls, doing Parade on tour, doing Footloose and doing Moulin Rouge on tour and representing themselves in like very large scale productions. And then they come together and they just like lock in as this trio. The audience is obsessed with them. They are beautiful. They can sing their faces off, they're hysterical. They can dance. Then we've got our. The voice of Seymour. Nicholas Ward has eight Broadway credits. And I don't know if I can even say this, but he was offered the Off Broadway production at the same time he was offered this production. And because of life, he chose our production. So, I mean, Vero beach in Riverside Theater is so fortunate to have him.

[Matt Tamminini]

Well, I mean, I'm sure when he got a look at the costume plot and got to see the suit he wears just for the bows, like, that was almost worth it in and of itself.

[Ruby Lewis]

It's true. I mean, oh, God, he's just an amazing human as well. We've gotten to be close friends. We share a car. We call each other mom and dad. And then. Yes. And then Clint is our puppeteer. And he has worked in major shows like Frozen, and he's just on top. I mean, he's a puppeteer, but he's also an actor. And so the way he. The humor that he finds behind that puppet is. Just shocks me. Every day there's something new. I watch it, and it's like I'm watching an actual plant talk with a personality. And the way he smiles and the way he uses the tongue. I mean, it's just amazing how he animates that puppet. Incredible, our Mushnik. You know, it's like we joke that he didn't even have to audition for the part. He is a Mushnik, and he has incredible credits as an actor. Boardwalk Empire. I mean, he's been in films that have been nominated for Academy Awards. He, of all of us, is the one. He's about the page and the work and. And really getting the bit down to a science. He's, you know, he's an actor's actor. And then Adam LaSalle, who plays our dentist, could not be a kinder human. But he comes in and I think he. I think people are shocked when they see the sequence where he plays multiple characters because he's so handsome, and he's just. I mean, he's. He can sing and he's so handsome. But then when he comes on and does his comedic bits, I can hear that the crowd just goes wild. It's just so much fun to see him in his process. And then, of course, Brian as Seymour. He's a perfect Seymour. And we were saying too, you know, DJ cast us, and we're older for Audrey and a Seymour. Brian and I, we've been in the business for a long time. And there's something different when. When the Seymour and the Audrey are both in their. A little. Maybe a little past their prime, like, they're not quite sure if they are going to find love or if they've run out of time. There's an urgency in their love story being older that I think really works in this production and is very sweet. So, you know, I. And I honestly, I thought, sorry, I'm gonna turn my ding dong. Do not disturb. I thought, sometimes you think you got to let go of roles that you want to play. I'm thinking, okay, I'm too old to play Glinda now. Maybe I'll never play Glinda. And I kind of felt that way with this role. So to have this opportunity feels. I don't want to say swan song because it's not like I'm 75 years old, but. No, but it is. Sometimes you have to let roles go because you think maybe you've aged out of them. So I'm so happy for this opportunity.

[Matt Tamminini]

Well, it's a spectacular performance and production overall, but I was blown away. I've seen many, many little shops over the years, and this one is certainly very high up there. And at least if not for the reasons being your performance as Audrey. So I'll wrap it up with this because I saw this on Riverside's Instagram, where they have, like, eight production shots of you. And they asked the audience to say, which Audrey are you? Which Audrey are you? Like, I'm not expecting you to remember what the. But, like, describe which version of Audrey is closer to irl.

[Ruby Lewis]

Ruby, currently being in this show with this cast. I am the one. I am the Audrey with, like, the. The giddy grin on my face and just hug it, you know, getting. Getting a good, warm hug and just grinning kind of like. It's like a Grinch grin. I can't remember if it's number three.

[Matt Tamminini]

It is number three. I believe the one you're talking about is number three. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ruby Lewis]

Okay. I'm gonna be a number three until the show closes. I'm just so thrilled to be. I just. I feel like a kid in a candy shop. I'm just pleased as punch.

[Matt Tamminini]

Yeah, a kid in a candy shop or an actress in a flower shop. I think that's. That's very appropriate there. Well, last thing you are through the rehearsal process. You open on Tuesday. Hopefully then you get a little bit more free time to explore. And the rest of Florida. Do you have any Florida specific plans while you are here in between shows?

[Ruby Lewis]

I've got to tell you, Matt, I've been dreaming of Disney World. Cause I'll be in Disney World a week from today, and I haven't been since I was in high school. But one of my best, best friends, she has a theater company out in Los Angeles, Altadena Music Theater. They are thinking about doing Little Shop. So she's flying all the Way here. Gonna see the show and stay, and then we're gonna go to Disney World, and it's gonna. We're gonna be again. Kids in the candy shop. I'm so excited. I haven't been, but amazing. You know, I grew up. That was on. You know, in spring break, we would maybe sometimes drive down, and that was. Oh, it's just. I'm so excited. So excited to be a kid again.

[Matt Tamminini]

Yeah. As I live literally 10 minutes from Disney, so I get to experience a lot of the people coming in that just love it for us. Like, I can see the fireworks from my house.

[Ruby Lewis]

So, like, I was gonna say fireworks. Ah, dream.

[Matt Tamminini]

Yes, I can see the fireworks. It's. It's great. And so whenever I have friends come, like, it's that same thing. Like, you kind of get spoiled that, like, oh, yeah, I can go to Disney whenever I want. I've got an annual pass. But then you kind of get reminded about how magical it is when people come to town and, like, are so excited about it because it is something different. You know, you do kind of just kind of take it for granted when you hear. Same thing with people who live in New York, like, being able to go to see a Broadway show or something. Like, you take it for granted a little bit. So I love that. That you're as excited as a lot of the people are that I see come in and out all the time every year. So I hope you have an amazing time.

[Ruby Lewis]

Thank you. Yeah, you got to take advantage of that. So excited.

[Matt Tamminini]

Awesome. Well, thank you so much for chatting. Like I said, the production is incredible. Have a tremendous opening night, enjoy your time in Florida, and hopefully we'll get a chance to chat again in the future.

[Ruby Lewis]

Oh, I hope so. Thanks so much for having me, Matt. Sam.