Little Shop of Horrors
Reviewed by: Dana Naughton
The Toxic Avenger and Reefer Madness are classic B movies turned musicals. I’m hoping one day Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, which I had the misfortune of seeing as a seven year old at a slumber party, will join these amazing musicals someday. Little Shop of Horrors was once upon a time a B movie from 1960 that introduced a fresh faced Jack Nicholson. In 1982 it opened Off Broadway as a quirky musical paying homage to classic B movies and science fiction. Theatre Coppell’s Little Shop of Horrors director, Ashley Puckett Gonzales, has assembled a wonderful team of actors, designers, and crew to bring this modern classic to north Texas.
“The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!”
In the dark black box of The Wheelice Wilson, Jr. Theatre, “Little Shop of Horrors” gets started before the lights go up. We are greeted by winos who disguise their liquor bottles in Oatmeal Cream Pie boxes, rummage in the metal garbage cans, and ask their audience for food. Kae Styron’s set design uses the intimate space of the black box theater effectively with rotating set pieces and well placed details. Styron’s design allows for wonderful details provided by Connie Savard’s set artistry. The dirty streets and fire escapes, detailed by Savard, plunge us into Skid Row of New York City.
Seymour is given a fresh performance by Jeffrey Fein who you find yourself routing for the entire time, no matter how poor Seymour’s choices seem to be. Audrey, played by the powerhouse Jayden Russell, gives us a wonderful balance between a classic and modern Audrey. “Suddenly Seymour” sent electricity through the audience and left us stunned and wishing we could have an encore.
Mr. Mushnik is a personal favorite of mine who I have seen often overlooked in other productions. Steven Ger plays Mr. Mushnik as if he were born to play this role. His interactions with the comedic street urchins were some of the most memorable moments of this production.
Dave Trosko’s Orin Scrivello was an enjoyable performance, however, he absolutely stole the show with his ensemble characters. I found myself waiting on the edge of my seat to see what he would come up with next.
To round out a very talented cast we meet our villain, Audrey II, voiced by Brad Bowden and brought to life by puppeteer Kae Styron. This duo’s brilliant comedic timing with Fein’s Seymour had the audience belly laughing throughout the production. Bowden’s soulful vocals with Styron’s movement was a delightfully hilarious and sinister combination.
Go get your tickets before this popular production sells out! This is not a production you want to miss and you will feed yourself to a carnivorous plant if you do! Most appropriate for ages 14 and up. Accessible seating available. Hearing devices available.
Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken is currently playing at the Coppell Arts Center by Theatre Coppell.
Coppell Arts Center, 505 Travis Street, Coppell, TX 75019.
Adults $22; seniors & students $19, plus fees, available with debit/credit card at CoppellArtsCenter.org. Group rates for 10 or more available.
Remaining performances: July 22, 23, 29 & 30 at 8pm, July 24 & 31 at 2:30pm
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