Madeline Brewer Makes New York Stage Debut in Little Shop of Horrors

After years of captivating television audiences in The Handmaid’s Tale and You, Emmy nominee Madeline Brewer is stepping into the world of musical theatre, starring as Audrey in the long-running off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre.

Although best known for her intense screen roles, Brewer’s roots are in musical theatre. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, she has previously appeared as Sally Bowles in Rebecca Frecknall’s immersive London production of Cabaret. That performance not only challenged her artistically but also shaped her personal life, as she met her now-husband, film producer Jack Thompson-Roylance, during that run. Just weeks after their wedding in Somerset earlier this year, she began rehearsals for Little Shop.

Brewer describes Audrey as a role she has long admired, and her portrayal blends vulnerability with strength, offering a nuanced take on the iconic flower shop worker who dreams of a better life. She brings her own background and personality to the part, creating a character that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

Her debut has been supported by a seasoned company. She first shared the stage with Nicholas Christopher as Seymour before Thomas Doherty joined the cast, alongside Reg Rogers as Mushnik and Jeremy Kushnier as Orin. The experience of working with such experienced actors has eased the transition to performing in New York theatre for the first time.

Brewer reflects on her television work with pride, particularly her nine years as Janine in The Handmaid’s Tale. Over the course of the series, she witnessed her character evolve from comic relief to a layered portrait of trauma, resilience, and growth. She acknowledges the challenge of embodying such pain but also recognises the role as one of the most formative experiences of her career. In contrast, her time on You allowed her to explore a different kind of character while living and working in New York for the first time.

From her earliest days performing in high school, Brewer has always harboured dreams of Broadway. While she once aspired to roles like Glinda in Wicked, she now sees her career as a journey towards finding roles that fit her unique talents and perspective.

Now balancing her screen work with her stage career, Brewer is relishing the collaborative energy of theatre. Performing eight shows a week in Little Shop of Horrors is, for her, the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition, and she hopes it marks the beginning of an enduring connection with the New York stage.

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