I’ll bet my mutant Venus fly trap you know this show. Little Shop of Horrors took off-Broadway by storm in the 1980s, the talented team of book writer and lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken took a “Z” grade Roger Corman science fiction film and transformed it into one of the most successful little musicals of the last 30 years. Part homage to cheesy sci-fi and part powerhouse musical comedy, which this quick run knocks out of the ballpark.
The Kennedy Center’s sophomore year of Broadway Center Stage kicks off with style and expertise courtesy of this semi-staged, concert presentation of Little Shop of Horrors, following the pattern established last season.
The performers know the show, but carry books just in case. I barely noticed when Seymour, Audrey and Mr. Mushnik glanced at their books; in fact, there were major stretches when this cast just did the show.
And what a cast! Like the original off-Broadway production, this staging had only eight performers, each one giving a stellar performance that captured the arch style, and quirky dark humor to a “t”.
If you prefer your musicals fully staged, with big sets, or even the elaborate mean, green man-eating machine of a plant that is one of the show’s signature highlights, you may want to wait until it comes around again. But if you are willing to dive in to director Mark Brokaw’s pared down but clever staging, complete with a new take on the killer vegetable – combined with killer vocals – this one if for you. Apparently it’s for a lot of people; as of this writing, some performances are sold-out.
Choreographer Spencer Liff keeps things moving, especially when giving the trio of Skid Row urchins – think 60s, female, Motown group – period dance moves.
While I’m on that subject, Amber Iman (Crystal), Amma Osei (Ronnette), and Allison Semmes (Chiffon) bring sass and brass to the Greek chorus/ensemble roles that add flavor and spice throughout their scenes and musical numbers.
Being a heightened concert, Brokaw’s staging moves swiftly through both acts; only the 20 minute intermission slowed things down.
Instead of multiple plant puppets, the man-eating Audrey II plant is performed by the big-voiced and commanding Michael James Leslie. With creative and stylish costuming by Jen Caprio, Leslie takes on the role of the alien plant and makes it truly his own, gaining more confidence until revealing himself as the would-be conqueror of earth.
Joining Leslie on the Eisenhower Theater stage is the multi-talented Broadway and TV stage Megan Hilty in the iconic role of Audrey. Originally played with a unique sense of wonder and innocence by Ellen Greene (off-Broadway and in the film version), Audrey is the eternal codependent, “girl with a past,” who is easy on the eyes, but takes her lumps and never complains. Hilty uses her resemblance to Marilyn Monroe (remember “Smash”?), along with her strong belter voice, to embody the vulnerable character full-on. I am pretty sure Hilty used her book the least of any performer onstage, other than Leslie as Audrey II. If a Broadway producer is looking to cast Audrey for a big-time revival, check Hilty’s schedule first. Her rendition of “Somewhere That’s Green” is worth the price of admission.
As the nebbish leading man, and resident amateur botanist, Josh Radnor breathes life to Seymour, and holds his own with his costar. Seymour is an actor’s part who must sing and on those notes, Radnor handles his duties with charm.
Among his appearances, sadistic dentist and Audrey’s abusive boyfriend Dr. Scrivello, Nick Cordero carries out his spine-chilling duties with a drill.
In a serendipitous bit of casting, a former Seymour takes the stage this time as the owner of the run-down flower shop, Mr. Mushnik. Broadway veteran Lee Wilkof originated Seymour back when the show ruled off-Broadway. Wilkof struts his impeccable comic timing and show off his still strong character-tenor voice. Watching him was a lesson in timing and comic delivery.
Also impeccably cast as nearly everyone else in the musical, Nick Cordero has a ball quick changing eyeglasses, hats, suits and even a dashing frock.
Come to think of it, a savvy producer could grab up the entire cast of this Broadway Center Stage production and literally put them in a Broadway theatre to bring to back this tightly written and utterly entertaining musical. The only drawback with the production – it’s here for only four days.
Little Shop of Horrors . Music by Alan Menken . Book and Lyrics Howard Ashman . Directed by Mark Brokaw . Featuring: Megan Hilty, Josh Radnor, Michael James Leslie, Kick Cordero, Lee Wilkof, Amber Iman, Amma Osei, and Allison Semmes . Choreographer Spencer Liff . Music Director Joey Chancey . Scenic design by Donyale Werle . Costume design by Jen Caprio . Lighting design by Cory Pattak . Sound Design by Kai Harada . Projection Design by Alex Basco Koch . Stage Manager: Jeffrey Rodriguez . Presented by The Kennedy Center . Reviewed by Jeff Walker.
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