Before the composing team of Howard
Ashman and Alan Menken wrote the music and lyrics to such Disney blockbusters
as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast they wrote the
score for the musical comedy Little Shop
of Horrors. The original 1982 production,
based on Director Roger Corman’s 1960 low-budget movie, became one of the
longest running shows in Off-Broadway history. Always an audience favorite the sci-fi spoof, centering on a
rather large man-eating plant, is receiving an entertaining, animated
production at the Ivoryton Playhouse through October 11th.
The plot of the musical is
simple. Seymour (Nicholas Park), a
nebbish of sorts, works at a flower shop on New York’s Skid Row. His co-worker Audrey (Laura Woyasz), a
beauty with low self-esteem and a sadistic boyfriend (Carson Higgins) employed
as a dentist, toil away at Mushnik’s (David Conaway) storefront awaiting any
type of customer. One day Seymour
unveils a plant purchased under mysterious circumstances that soon attracts
shoppers because of its uniqueness.
The trouble is regular plant food won’t suffice and as its true diet is
revealed the lives of everyone in the Skid Row shop become topsy-turvy with
unsettling consequences.
The strength of the show is the
casting. All the principle actors
perfectly fit into their roles delivering two hours of merriment, mayhem and
tunefulness. Nicholas Park as Seymour
is nerdy and plain without being pathetic. Laura Woyasz as Audrey may emulate the original actress,
Ellen Greene, a bit too closely, but she does manage to put her own spin on the
wistful, heart-of-gold character. David Conaway is thoroughly convincing as the downtrodden Mr.
Mushnik. Carson Higgins, a
standout from the previous Ivoryton Playhouse production of Memphis, infuses Orin the dentist with
just the amount of degenerate fiendishness without being too over-the-top. The threesome of Azarria White (Chiffon), La’Nette Wallace
(Crystal), and Denielle Marie Gray (Ronnette) form a winning mini Greek chorus
along with their supporting roles.
Even with a superior acting group Little
Shop of Horrors would not work without a colorful, boisterous Audrey II. Thankfully, the team of Steve Sabol and
puppeteer Austin Costello form a dynamic union that gives the growing plant a
believability that is both engaging and somewhat scary.
The score by Howard Ashman and Alan
Menken is witty, playful, melodic and can be very funny. The songs include do-wop, yearning
ballads, comedic gems, and unusual duets.
You can see why Disney plucked them from the theatrical ranks to
reinvigorate their moribund animated film division.
Director Lawrence Thelen lets the
material speak for itself without adding any unnecessary flourishes. He has an excellent feel for the
characters and the actors portraying them. Along with choreographer Apollo Smile, who adds some solid
incidental dance routines, Thelen keeps the production moving to its fulfilling
conclusion.
Martin Scott Marchitto’s rotating
set design is seedy and decrepit, perfectly embodying this battered, broken-down
area of New York City. The small
and confined space of the small Playhouse stage only adds to this run-down
vibe.
Little Shop
of Horrors, a rollicking good time at the Ivoryton Playhouse through
October 11th.
