Little Shop of Horrors
”
tells the story about Seymour, a nebbish amateur botanist who
works in a failing Skid Row Flower Shop
“Little Shop of Horrors” tells the story about Seymour, a nebbish amateur botanist who works in a failing Skid Row Flower Shop. A flytrap-type plant from outer space takes up residence in the shop and turns Seymour’s life into a confusing mess. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken took the B-horror movie and created the musical that successfully played off-Broadway. The story takes the audience on a crazy ride into a story that is as campy as it can get. Songs like “Suddenly Seymour,” “Somewhere It’s Green” and “Ya Never Know” create the mood of the moment.
The production is well cast and Hal Linden, as shop owner Mr. Mushnik, delivers a pleasant performance with a highlight surprise when he plays a clarinet.
The bright light here is Christian Noll as Audrey, the dumb blond with a big heart. She plays Audrey flawlessly with the high-pitched screech of a banshee on a mission with an East Side New York accent. She delivers her lines and songs with such believability the audience feels for this ditsy babe and rolls with her character.
Michael Mandell melodically bellows with his rich bass as the voice of Audrey II, (the plant). Puppeteer Greg Rehrig works Audrey II, who continues to grow throughout the show. His timing, with Mandell’s voice, is well done and the audience finds they are listening to this demanding potted plant.
Director/Choreographer Gabriel Barre moves the show with the timing of a ringmaster in a three-ring circus. He moves the scenes smoothly without surges and keeps the show tight. His choreography fits the cast he had to work with.
Musical Director William Liberatore adds just the right ’60s, doo-wop touch. Thomas G. Marquez’s costumes are glitzy and fill the mood. Derek Duarte’s lighting and Hage Van Dijk’s sound are right on mark – no small wonder with the many special cues that filtrate through out this production.
“Little Shop Of Horrors” is a silly delightful bit of fun. You may not leave the theatre humming any of the tunes but you will feel good and perhaps a little giddy. In these days of stress, this well done “Little Shop of Horrors” may be just what the doctor ordered.
‘Third’: Wassersein’s
final tribute
TheatreWorks award-winning director Kirstern Brandt has delivered a fine, delicate production with her creative handling of the Regional Premiere of Wendy Wasserstein’s “Third.” “Third” is the last play written by the most produced, award-winning female playwright before her passing from cancer at 55 in 2006.
This production moves at a quick clip, slips here and there, but entertains and is beautifully offered by each artist.
Elizabeth Norment as Laurie Jameson, the illustrious feminist professor at a small upscale New England College, and Amy Resnick as Nancy, her friend and fellow professor, deliver delightful, near perfect performances. Their timing and delivery is flawless. Craig Marker as Woodson Bull III, plays the amiable student on the wrestling team believably and gives Laurie a contrary view of what he really represents. Always the pro, Gerald Hiken as Laurie’s dad who is sitting on the brink of Alzheimer’s, delivers the most charming, soft moment of the evening. Laurie finds him after he wanders off – they have a “moment” when he asks her to dance and hums as a clarinet plays in the background and they dance. Emilie Miller as Laurie’s daughter holds her own with this illustrious cast.
Sets by J.B. Wilson, lighting by David Lee Cuthbert and sound by Cliff Caruthers are all at the high level that comes to be expected at TheatreWorks productions.
Wasserstein uses a broad brush, painting the characters and her images of well-educated women comes across with a brilliance and polish. She sends a subtle message that they too can do a reality check of their feelings and conclusions. Her Heidi Chronicles won her the Pulitzer Prize and her many other plays garnered her just about every playwrighter’s award available.
Wasserstein’s gift to us is her fine work. None should be missed. Her brilliance will definitely be missed.
