FEED ME MORE OF THIS DELICIOUS PRODUCTION
Stroll down Skid Row to visit Mushnik’s Flower Shop and immerse yourself in Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s musical masterpiece Little Shop of Horrors at South Coast Repertory. This musical has it all. A love story, a dream for the future, a chance of a lifetime, and a Faustian agreement struck between an alien man-eating plant and our downtrodden hero! Sound familiar? You may have seen Roger Corman’s low-budget 1960s dark comedy film, or the 1986 Frank Oz musical movie on which it’s based. At South Coast Rep, you get all the songs that were cut from the movie.
Holly Jackson, Celeste Butler, Emerson Boatwright and Joslynn Cortes
Michelle Veintimilla, Holly Jackson, Joslynn Cortes and Celeste Butler
Little Shop of Horrors is a magical realism musical. We begin with an unlucky and clumsy hero, Seymour (Emerson Boatwright), who works in a dump of a flower shop, a broken-down, friendless storefront owned by the grumpy, old Mushnik (Geoffrey Wade). Fellow employee heroine Audrey (Michelle Veintimilla) is the heroine; her penchant for always choosing the wrong guy makes her both lovable and an object of pity. Even the neighborhood delinquents — a Greek Chorus of Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronnette (Celeste Butler, Joslynn Cortes, Holly Jackson) — question Audrey’s choice of men.
Celeste Butler, Holly Jackson, Joslynn Cortes (top) and Emerson Boatwright
Emerson Boatwright and Michelle Veintimilla
But, after all, this is a musical. Our hero must get the girl. At least with the help of his little miracle, Audrey II (voiced by Michael A. Shepperd and puppeteered by Joe Gallina). This fascinating, strange plant changes the fate of everyone tied to the shop. As it grows, fed with a healthy diet of “a secret formula that is not really hard to come by,” Seymour’s fame grows along with the financial viability of the pathetic flower shop. One small problem, Audrey II’s appetite is monstrous. What will Seymour do in the name of love? Will Audrey leave her abusive boyfriend? Just how big will Audrey II get? Also, what kind of name is Audrey II, anyway?
Emerson Boatwright and Michelle Veintimilla
Michelle Veintimilla
Well, sweets, you just have to see this spectacular production which I truly cannot recommend enough. The entire cast is incredible, but the three street urchins are unbelievable entertainers, and Jessica Ford’s delightful costumes for them become more elaborate and extravagant as the story takes an ever darker turn. It really helps to shape the cynicism of comedy in the story. The three muses seemingly feed off of our lover’s despair and tragic downfall.
Emerson Boatwright
Derek Manson
Emerson Boatwright’s performance as Seymour is on point with incredible singing. There were times when I found his performance rather stiff, even as his character descended into darkness, but Boatwright captures his character’s simplemindedness and awkward charm. Michelle Veintimilla’s Audrey is absolutely divine. Her crimson-red hair is better-suited to her character than the many peroxide blonde Audreys that have come before, and adds much to the blood-lusting narrative. Not only is Veintimilla’s voice charming, funny and drenched in naiveté, but her delivery comes with a quiet power that it is really a joy.
Celeste Butler, Joslynn Cortes and Holly Jackson
Geoffrey Wade and Emerson Boatwright
In order for any performance of Little Shop to be awe-inspiring, the voice (like a growly Temptation in Michael A. Shepperd’s hands, er, vocal chords) and the puppeteering must be bigger than life. Audrey II in Joe Gallina’s hands is a sinister, impressive creature. The movements are well-timed with the singing, and the gestures capture the otherworldly nature of the alien beast. Hats off to Michael Schweikardt, the puppet designer — the monster has us spellbound.
Derek Manson and Emerson Boatwright
Derek Manson and Emerson Boatwright
Director Jenn Thompson really knows how to shape this absurd tale into an absolute party, keeping the story bouncy and forward-moving. Patricia Wilcox‘s choreography is also peppy, quick, and fun. Overall, the strength of this production is absolutely in the direct and simple approach to the story. It is a clean execution of number to number, and nothing ever felt extraneous.
Emerson Boatwright
Emerson Boatwright
So, my loves, please take yourselves down to the OC and watch this endearing production of The Little Shop of Horrors. You will be greeted with great voices, fantastic costumes, and a great story. This horror comedy musical will get you into the Halloween holiday spirit, so scream … in delight.
Emerson Boatwright and Michelle Veintimilla
photos by Scott Smeltzer/SCR
Little Shop of Horrors
South Coast Repertory
655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa
ends on October 20, 2024
for tickets ($40-$121), call 714.708.5555 or visit SCR
