Don’t Feed the Plant

Little Shop of Horrors

Audrey, Seymour, Orin, Mr. Mushnik and all the other crazy characters from this 1982 rock musical horror are back in Chicagoland. And just in time for Halloween, too! Based upon Roger Corman’s low-budget, darkly humorous sci-fi film from 1960, composer Alan Menken (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,” SISTER ACT) and his longtime writing partner, the late, great playwright/lyricist Howard Ashman, initially created this cult classic for Off-Off-Broadway. But due to its popularity, the musical found its way to Off-Broadway, and then eventually made its way onto the Great White Way in 2003. The musical comedy was also adapted for the silver screen and became a popular 1986 film. A worldwide favorite, wherever and whenever this satirical Motown-style musical is produced, the show is alway a huge hit. Music Theater Works’ Fall production, presented with savvy staging and a topnotch cast by Kyle Dougan, is no exception. But the production does have a few problems.

Seymour is a likable young worker at Mr. Mushnik’s Skid Row Flower Shop, in New York. An orphan, whose life seems to be going nowhere, he secretly has a crush on Audrey, his beautiful, blonde co-worker. Audrey, however, is a woman with very low self-esteem. As a result, she’s become involved with a sadistic dentist named Orin Scrivello, who bullies, berates and often beats her, much to everyone’s horror and disapproval.

The musical is set in 1960 and opens with three catchy, toe-tapping numbers (“Little Shop of Horrors,” “Skid Row” and a clever ditty entitled “Da-Doo”). Through these songs we learn that Seymour spotted a sickly little flytrap one day and brought it back to the flower Shop. In the back room he secretly nursed  the plant back to health (“Grow For Me”). When Seymour put it in the shop window, the plant he’s named Audrey II begins to draw the attention of hundreds of customers. Business suddenly blooms and Seymour becomes a celebrity. The only problem is that the plant thrives on human blood!

Meanwhile, Audrey’s boyfriend is becoming more and more violent and abusive. Seymour decides to do something about it. Audrey II convinces Seymour that Orin is so vile that he must be eliminated and, additionally, the dentist would also be perfect plant food. By secretly feeding the Orin to the plant, Seymour could free Audrey from her sadistic suitor, while possibly giving him a shot at romance with his lovely coworker. From then on complications develop and one crime leads to another. Soon there’s no stopping Audrey II and its bloodthirsty takeover of the world. The finale of Music Theater Works’ production is truly spectacular and absolutely out of this world!

Menken and Ashman’s darkly comic musical features a captivating pop/rock score that mimics the Motown doo-wop sound of the 1960’s. Howard Menken’s catchy, uptempo songs, with their witty, Award-winning lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, include two soulful ballads: Audrey’s “Somewhere That’s Green” and the triumphant duet, “Suddenly Seymour.” Besides Audrey and Seymour, everyone in the cast has his own standout musical moments. But in particular, it’s the engaging and entertaining trio of Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon, known collectively as the Urchins, who become the narrator, Greek chorus and backup girl group for the show.

The three talented performers who play the street Urchins are terrific. They’re China Orr, Michaela Dukes and Kiana Beverly. Director Kyle Dougan has smartly made this talented trio a part of  almost every number, and they all but steal the show. In tunes like “Don’t It Go To Show You Never Know,” “The Meek Shall Inherit” and the dramatic finale, “Don’t Feed the Plants” these talented singer/dancers bring down the house. 

But the true star of this story is, of course, Audrey II. The alien plant gradually grows into a giant creature throughout the musical, and is operated by talented Puppeteer, Alex Villasenor. Actor/singer Najee Musiq Rawls provides Audrey II’s rich, velvety vocals. Together they bring a monstrous presence that resonates throughout the entire production.

However, the heart and soul of this show truly belongs to its two talented young stars. Beautiful, gloriously talented Kayla Shipman (MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL) and handsome, musically gifted Jimmy Hogan (AVENUE Q) are both charismatic and lovable as Audrey and Seymour. This dynamic duo dazzles in every scene and are exquisite in each of their songs. Every romantic moment and each corny, comic gesture and piece of schtick lands. Together these two talented musical theatre actors effortlessly reach a personal best in their portrayal. Their candid chemistry shines strongly throughout, playing off each other with perfect timing. Audrey and Seymour’s onstage storybook romance actually feels real. 

One of Music Theater Works’ best-loved character actors, Thomas M. Shea (the star of MTW’s production of THE PRODUCERS) adds another fine role to his already impressive resume. His Mr. Mushnik is right on the money as the Skid Row florist who keeps a sharp eye on the success of his business while caring for his two younger employees. Mr. Shea’s whimsical musical numbers include “Closed for Renovations,” and his paternal patter song, the lightning-paced “Mushnik and Son.” And Sam Nachison, (hilarious in MTW’s production of THE PRODUCERS) plays the smarmy, grinning, overbearing Orin Scrivello, DDS. His song, appropriately called “Be a Dentist,” is sung with off-the-charts rapture and relish. Mr. Nachison also portrays a variety of other minor characters, from a barfing street bum to a slick agent from William Morris, and he does so with delight.

As wonderful as this production is, however, there are a few problems. First of all, sometimes the pacing of this musical goes out the window. The characters and story are so delightfully bizarre and unbelievable. But a pause in a character’s dialogue, unless it’s to purposely point up the next moment, interrupts the fun and gives the audience time to realize the ridiculousness of the story. Then the comedy falters. While this happened occasionally with the other characters, it was mainly Nachison who disrupted the show’s rhythm and timing. Then, thinking that bigger is better for getting laughs, Mr. Nachison continues by overplaying his part.

But the biggest problem for many audience members (and me personally) was a combination of misjudgments. The Scenic Design and the staging of the actors often made it impossible to see the play. The theater, which wraps the audience around in a semicircle, offers an intimacy that the larger venue at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts lacks. But between a linear setting that constantly moved forward, and the plant becoming larger and larger, most of the actors couldn’t be seen. Anyone seated in the far right or left sections of the audience (as I was) had an obstructed view. At times I could only see the actor who was closest to me, stage right. The backstage was more visible! For instance, as Audrey devoured each character, I could only see the victims escaping from the mouth of the plant. I couldn’t see the action that occurred near the door of the shop nor anything stage left . That part of the stage was totally blocked from my view. It was absolutely frustrating, to say the least.

But, that said, Shane Cinal’s Set (what I could see of it) was beautiful and filled with impressive detail, nicely enhanced by Andrew Meyers’ outstanding Lighting Design. Rachel M. Sypniewski has outdone herself with a sensational Costume Design, particularly the many gorgeous, glitzy outfits and matching shoes for the Urchins. Most of the cast was coifed in a variety of Alice Salazar’s insanely funny wigs. My only quibble is that Audrey’s costumes could’ve been a little more outlandish and tasteless. But Orin’s leather jacket was truly inspired, as was the quick-change wardrobe for his other characters. 

It’s been a minute since Chicago enjoyed such a superbly performed production of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s clever, captivating musical satire. This exciting and expertly crafted production arrives just in time for Halloween and slays, like most other shows by Music Theater Works. It’s sure to be remembered for years to come. The production features some of Chicago’s finest talent performing, capably supported by Linda Maldonia’s Musical Direction and her talented backstage band, as well as Reneisha Jenkins spirited 1960’s Choreography. In addition to a thoroughly entertaining script and an unforgettable musical score, this musical will charm  audiences to heed its final warning: “Don’t Feed the Plants!”

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 24-November 17 by Music Theater Works at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available at the theater box office, by calling 847-673-6300 or by going to www.MusicTheaterWorks.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.