'Little Shop of Horrors'

REVIEW: "Little Shop of Horrors" (musical)
Ahmanson Theatre | August 26, 2004

The touring production of "Little Shop of Horrors," which just opened at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, is a fun, entertaining show with a rock solid cast that reminds you what its like to have fun in at the theatre. Most audiences will have heard of "Little Shop of Horrors" from its popular movie incarnation, starring Steve Martin among others. The cult-classic musical has also worked its way into many a high-school theatre program across the country, with its easily accessible collection of poppish tunes.

"Little Shop of Horrors" tells the story of nerdy, awkward Seymour Hoffman, who works in a florist shop on Skid Row. The rundown shop is down on its luck until Seymour discovers an exotic, fly-trap-looking plant with a curious appetite for human blood. The plant, however, attracts tons of business to the store, and Seymour is forced to find more and more ways of satiating it's ever growing hunger for human flesh. In the meantime, Seymour has also fallen for his co-worker at the store, Audrey, who has an abusive boyfriend. As the story unfolds, so does Seymour's and Audrey's complicated relationship.

This production is an elaborate one, based on a recent mounting of the show on Broadway. Perhaps the touring production's major conceit is the expensive puppets used to represent Seymour's special plant, the Audrey II. Most school productions simply put someone into a plant suit, but for this version, four elaborate puppets were created. The puppets get larger and larger as the plant grows and grows, until finally, the huge plant puppet even looms out over the audience. It's a crowd-pleasing piece of stage machinery that satisfies the modern musical audience's craving for spectacle.

But the heart of this show lies with its talented cast. The show features a lively, energetic company of performers who sing the hell out of the clever score by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Sherman. And, the quirky humor is played with professional wit and expert comic timing. Thus, what has the potential to be a 2 hour groan-fest of corny jokes and lame sight gags is instead a delightful romp performed by seasoned professionals who know how to make both kids and adults laugh.

Special note should be given to the exceptionally talented trio of urchins, who act as a Greek chorus of sorts, commenting on the show's action. Yasmeen Sulieman, Amina S. Robinson and Latonya Homes tear through the do-woppy score with thrilling vocal finesse, making the show both a comedic and aural pleasure. Anthony Rapp heartwarmingly captures Seymour's innocent nature, while Tari Kelly, of fine voice and physical stature, brings a quirky yet beautiful quality to the character of Audrey.

Final verdict: A fun night out. Go see it!

'Little Shop of Horrors' is playing at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles from August 24 to October 17. A specially priced $40 ticket is available for all open seats through September 12, and $12 rush tickets are available for balcony seating two hours before the show for weeknight and Sunday evening performances through the fifth week of the run. Visit the Little Shop of Horrors page at www.TaperAhmanson.com for details.