Little Shop of Horrors returns to Ford’s Theatre from March 15 through May 18 after a previous mounting in 2010. From its origin as a low budget 1960 sci-fi dark comedy by Roger Corman, to its initial adaptation as an off-Broadway musical in 1982, to subsequent high-budget film versions and worldwide stage success, Little Shop of Horrors has become one of the most treasured pieces of American musical theatre.
If you have never seen this American staple of musical theatre then you should run and see this production. If you have seen multiple versions, then meander over and see a new one – after all that is the joy of live theatre, it is never quite the same twice.
Alan Menken’s music and lyrics gently spoof the 1960s setting by recreating Motown-style doo-wop and girl-group anthems. The lyrics in this show are legendary. Some of the best that have ever been sung on a stage! They will at times dart by, but listen closely, they are so clever! Howard Ashman’s book retains the film’s darkly comic themes of love and murder. Sad-sack Seymour, a florist shop worker, discovers and nurtures a highly unusual plant which develops a taste for human blood. Seymour attempts to hide the secret of his increasingly carnivorous plant (called Audrey II) while trying to win a happy ending with his dream girl Audrey. Throw in a Greek Chorus trio of sequined harmonizing backup singers and you have musical comedy gold.
Directed by Kevin S. McAllister, Ford’s current production seemed to please its opening night audience. Paige Hathaway’s scenic design successfully transforms the stage into a New York skid-row street of apartment dwellings and failing shops, while the cast scores most of the appropriate levels and moments in the lurid tale of Seymour, Audrey– and Audrey II. (Brilliant timing for this show, what with an eclipse of the Sun in our near future!)
As Seymour, Derrick D. Truby, Jr. delivers self-deprecating sincerity and sings ably. Chani Wereley offers a different take on Audrey, the battered girlfriend of a sadistic boyfriend, who yearns to escape Skid Row and live a perfect TV life “somewhere that’s green.” Eschewing the vocal affectations and stylized fragility that made a star out of Ellen Greene in the role four decades ago, Wereley plays Audrey a bit more simply and with a bit more reality, yet still manages to score both laughs and moments of near pathos. When the two join in their duet, “Suddenly Seymour”, Wereley reveals a powerhouse presence and voice, and she handles the fine line of alternating between sincere and “knowing” line deliveries.
Joe Mallon seems to have a blast playing multiple roles, including Orin, the sadistic dentist whom Audrey hopes to escape. To be fair, I never felt any sense of real malice or danger from Mallon’s dentist, which rather mutes the emotional stakes, yet the actor seems to relish rushing through quick costume changes to play (and sing) various agents tempting Seymour to monetize his plant’s fame for personal fortune. Thanks to Lawrence Redmond, Mr. Mushnik, the plant-shop owner, makes a stronger impression here than in many other productions: it can be a somewhat thankless role, yet Redmond uses his fine voice to great effect during “Mushnik and Son”. Kaiyla Gross, Nia Savoy-Dock, and Kanysha Williams play Ronnette, Chiffon, and Crystal, the neighborhood kids who morph into a stylized girl group. The trio opens strongly with the title number and adds the requisite visual and vocal touches to “Suppertime” and “Finale Ultimo.”
A perennial pleasure of the show, Audrey II (in all her many stages of growth) is handled by puppeteers Jay Frisby and Ryan Sellers, and is voiced by Tobias A. Young.
Is this the best production of Little Shop ever? No. There are some directorial choices that are a bit odd and give the show a disjointed feeling: are we watching a spoof or an homage or standard musical comedy? I thought that Ashleigh King’s choreography was missing a lot of opportunities for creativity and fun, it was also not as sharp and crisp as one would expect from this level of theatre. The balance between the orchestra and the vocals was great during the solos and duets but vocals seemed to get drowned out in the big cast numbers (which means losing those priceless lyrics). All that being said, it is definitely a show worth seeing, so bring those out of town guests!
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission
Little Shop of Horrors plays through May 18th 2024 at Ford’s Theatre— 511 10th Street NW in Washington DC. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 888-616-0270 or by purchasing them in advance online.
