Written by orange• September 29, 2024• 10:06 pm• Costa Mesa, Musical, Review, South Coast Repertory, Theater, Uncategorized

Little Shop of Horrors @ South Coast Repertory – Review

photo credit: Robert Husky/SCR

Written by Patrick Chavis

Little Shop of Horrors is playing now at South Coast Repertory from September 21 – October 20, 2024.

Right in time for spookiest season of the year, South Coast Repertory’s Little Shop of Horrors brings back the smooth-talking Audrey 2, aka the houseplant with an agenda and puppetry that made this reviewer look like Audrey 2 more than a couple of times. What I’m trying to say is it’s a jaw-dropping good time! So Feed Me! Also, I might be an alien.

South Coast Repertory presents “Little Shop of Horrors” book & lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken and directed by Jenn Thompson. Cast: Emerson Boatwright (Seymour), Celeste Butler (Chiffon), Joslynn Cortes (Crystal), Joe Gallina (Audrey II Puppeteer), Holly Jackson (Ronnette), Derek Manson (Orin & Others), Michael A. Shepperd (The Voice of Audrey II/Derelict), Michelle Veintimilla (Audrey), Geoffrey Wade (Mushnik), Analisa Idalia (Chiffon/Crystal/Ronnette Understudy), Natalie Llerena (Audrey Understudy), Garrett Marshall (Orin/Mushnik Understudy), Brian Kim McCormick (Seymour/Audrey II Understudy). Segerstrom Stage, Sept. 21 – Oct. 19, 2024

Story:

Little Shop of Horrors follows our flawed protagonist, Seymour, played by Emerson Boatwright, who works on Skid Row in Los Angeles. Skid Row, historically and presently, is an impoverished area of Downtown LA known for having high levels of homelessness. Seymour works at a florist shop for his boss, Mr. Mushnik, played by Geoffrey Wade, and with his co-worker Audrey, played by Michelle Veintimilla. When Seymour discovers a houseplant, Audrey 2, voiced by Michael A. Shepperd and performed by Joe Gallina, feeds on human blood, the fame the plant brings to the shop makes all of Seymour’s dreams come true but at what price? This and more in Little Shop of Horrors. And, of course, it’s a musical with a score from Alan Menken. Obviously, the music is excellent!

Bringing new work to the stage is necessary and brings challenges. But let’s remember the challenges of bringing back material that people love, which also comes with different challenges. Little Shop of Horrors has delighted audiences since the early 80s, not only on the stage but in the popular film adaptation in 1986 with Rick Moranis.

Set Design:

City-scape set design: Lots of dark gray weathered bricks. In the middle of the stage is a room full of potted plants that almost resemble a painting you could fall into from a distance. Above it, a bunch of fire escapes act as balconies in the upper portion of the design. The left and right of the stage are covered in garbage. No space is unaccounted for in this tight and expansive design from Alexander Dodge.

The show utilizes a spinning stage in the middle that helps keep the show moving.

The puppetry work for Audrey 2, from the small to sizeable blood-sucking entity, is quite impressive, and it has earned its place in my nightmares.

While the band is kept out of view, those intoxicating melodies cut right through the theater. This is an explosive live band with musical direction from Angela Steiner. The music warms the soul.

Acting:

There are impressive performances from the whole ensemble, including the three background singers, Chiffon (Celeste Butler), Crystal (Joslyn Cortes), and Ronnette (Holly Jackson). Lead Emerson Boatwright is the whole package; his vocals and demeanor are on point.

A fragile but also comical performance is delivered by Michelle Veintimilla as Audrey, Seymour’s love interest in this play. They nailed “Suddenly Seymour.” It is a highlight.