A Dentist, A Florist, and a Lot of Laughs – Little Shop of Horrors

Nov 13, 2023 by

By Sue Weston and Susie Rosenbluth, Two Sues on the Aisle

The musical comedy classic, Little Shop of Horrors currently starring the incredibly talented Constance Wu (Crazy Rich Asians) and Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) is a quirky story, appropriate for the entire family.  This 1982 musical by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman and directed by Michael Mayer opened off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in October 2019.  It is a refreshingly retro story, where a geeky flower shop assistant finds an unusual plant that has the ability to fulfill his wishes, but at a price.

This campy rags-to-riches story is filled with catchy songs, and wonderful lyrics, despite the strange turn of events. It’s all in good fun, we left the theater smiling.

The Plot

Seymour (normally played by Corbin Bleu in this performance the role was masterfully played by understudy Jonny Newcomb) is a shy, awkward insecure clerk who works in Muchnik’s flower shop. The shop is located on Skid Row, the wrong side of town, and without customers, it is struggling to survive. Seymour is an orphan, given a job and a place to live by the owner Mr. Muchnik (played by understudy Michael Iannucci) who is clearly Jewish. Unlike his employees, Muchnik is not from Skid Row.

Seymour is smitten by his colleague Audrey, the gum-snapping salesgirl who attracts the wrong kind of men due to her low self-esteem. Both Seymore and Audrey dream of getting out of Skid Row and making something of themselves. Audrey dreams of a “picket fence” life, while Seymore dreams that Audrey will notice him.

Muchnik is ready to close the shop until Audrey tells him about the unusual plant Seymore discovered after a total eclipse. This new species, which Seymore named Audrey II is amazing, she attracts customers to the store and captures media attention. Practically overnight Muchnick’s flower shop and Seymore became famous. Audrey II can fulfill Seymour’s dreams as long as he continues feeding her.  Audrey II is no normal plant, she only feeds on human blood.

Doo-Wop Girls, Seymore, and Audrey II

Amazing Performances

The cast includes three Doo-Wop Girls, teenage girls living on the streets of Skid Row. These talented performers dance and sing (a la Supremes) providing a running narrative, and smooth transition between scenes. Their performances were outstanding.

Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin Scrivello D.D.S. (brilliantly played by Bryce Pinkham) is a chauvinistic dentist with sadistic tendencies. Orin is a bad boy in the style of Fonzie, complete with a motorcycle and a leather jacket. [Pinkman also plays an amazing array of characters in the Second Act].

While each and every performer is amazing, Constance Wu steals the show. Her performance of “Somewhere That’s Green” is captivating, mesmerizing the audience as she shares her dreams and the sadness of her life. Her voice and passion are compelling making you feel her heartache. When Orin scolds her, she replies “I’m sorry doctor,” you can hear the fear in her voice.

We were impressed by the quality of the performance, which had three understudies, and you would never know – because they were superb.

Twisted Fairytale

Little Shop of Horrors recounts a story that is too weird to be believable – an alien plant feeding on humans, positioned for world domination. Audrey II is an actual puppet, who over the course of the show grows until she is too large to fit in the plant shop, and she speaks. The show includes unexpected ironic sparkles – when Muchnik offers to adopt Seymore to keep him from leaving the shop, and when Seymore saves Audrey from her abusive boyfriend by allowing him to suffocate from laughing gas and then feeding him to the plant.

The good guy gets the girl, but only momentarily, because by the end of the show, both are swallowed by the carnivorous plant, joining Muchnik and Orin.

This retro musical is suited for the intimacy of off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre Upstairs at 407 West 43rd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. It is absurd and wonderfully amazing. Little Shop of Horrors is a rock musical with catchy music, and while the premise is slightly scary, the show is fun and family-friendly (recommended for children five and older). Little Shop of Horrors combines memorable songs, rich imagination, and wonderful performances.

*****

Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed. 

Little Shop Of Horrors received a 5 Challah rating

5 Challah Rating

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