Don’t Feed the Plants!

Little Shop of Horrors

Hey there, Chicagoland! Look who’s back at the Marriott. Kicking off the theatre’s exciting new season of polished, professional, top-notch musicals, the critically acclaimed Lincolnshire Theatre is starting the New Year with another hit show on their hands. For the seasoned theatergoer, this LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will provide a welcomed reunion; but for anyone newly meeting Audrey, Seymour, Mr. Mushnik, Orin and all the other crazy Skid Row characters from this 1982 comic book horror rock musical, it’s a big welcome! It’s guaranteed that every audience member, both old and new, will leave  the Lincolnshire venue with their sides aching from laughter and a sound warning to take with them: “Don’t Feed the Plants!” 

Based upon Roger Corman’s darkly comic B&W science fiction film from 1960, musical composer Alan Menken and writer/lyricist Howard Ashman initially adapted this cult classic in 1982 for Off-Off-Broadway. With its popularity, the show eventually moved Off-Broadway. Then, because of the show’s overwhelming success, LITTLE SHOP found itself playing on Broadway in 2003. The musical version of Corman’s original movie had returned to the silver screen in 1986, starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin. A worldwide favorite, wherever and whenever LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is produced it’s always a big hit. And this funny, satirical, tuneful sci-fi musical production at the Marriott is no exception.

The play tells the story of Seymour, a nerdy, but likable underdog, who works at Mr. Mushnik’s Skid Row Flower Shop in New York City. An orphan, whose life seems to be going nowhere, Seymour secretly has a crush on Audrey, his sweet and beautiful co-worker. However, Audrey is a woman with a shady past and very low self-esteem. As a result, she’s become involved with a sadistic dentist named Orin, who beats, berates and bullies her, much to everyone’s horror and disapproval. But things are about to change.

Through a trio of catchy opening numbers (“Little Shop of Horrors,” “Skid Row” and, an especially appealing ditty entitled “Da-Doo”) we learn that Seymour just happened to be walking through the Gardening District one day when, during a total eclipse of the sun, a new and unusual plant suddenly appeared before him. Strange and mysterious, this event sets into motion the science fiction horror story that follows. The proprietor sells the sickly little plant to Seymour, who brings it back to Mushnik’s Flower Shop. In the back room he secretly nurses it to health (“Grow For Me”); and when Seymour puts it in the shop window, the plant, which he’s named Audrey II, begins to draw the attention of hundreds of customers. Business immediately takes off and Seymour becomes an instant celebrity. The only problem is that the plant thrives on human blood.

Meanwhile, Audrey’s boyfriend is becoming increasingly violent and abusive. So Seymour decides to solve two problems. He becomes convinced that Orin would make perfect plant food for Audrey II and, in secretly feeding the dentist to the plant, he’d also rid Audrey of her sadistic suitor. From then on complications develop and one crime leads to another. Soon there’s no stopping the Audrey II and its insatiable cannibalistic takeover of the world.

The delightfully dark musical features a melodic, toe-tapping pop/rock score that mimics the Doo-Wop sound of the 50’s and 60’s. Alan Menken’s catchy, uptempo numbers, with witty Award-winning lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, become earworms by intermission. They include two soulful ballads: Audrey’s dream of a perfect life, “Somewhere That’s Green,” and the young couple’s triumphant discovery of attraction,  “Suddenly Seymour.” While everyone in the cast has his or her own musical moments, it’s the engaging and entertaining trio of Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon, who continually thrill the audience. The three young ladies serve as a combination of narrator, Greek chorus and R&B backup group for the show.

As the three side-splitting, soulful street urchins, Lydia Burke, Daryn Whitney Harrell and Miciah Lathan practically steal the entire show. Sharing the stage with the main characters, they vocally enchant the audience with, among other numbers, their impassioned renditions of “Ya Never Know,” “The Meek Shall Inherit” and the dramatic finale, “Don’t Feed the Plants.” Garrett Lutz, Jordan Anthony Arredondo and Ed Kross (who are the primary puppeteers for Audrey II) also join in the choral numbers, playing multiple characters. And the velvety tones of Lorenzo Rush, Jr. dazzle as he provides the smoothly provocative voice for Audrey II, particularly in his constant musical demands for “Suppertime.”

But really, this production absolutely belongs to the impressive Maya Rowe and Jackson Evans, who portray the tragic young lovers, Audrey and Seymour. Both Ms. Rowe and Mr. Evans are gifted triple threats with plenty of professional credits in the Chicagoland area. Maya Rowe has been seen in Marriott’s FINDING NEMO and BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING MUSICAL. She also starred as Rose in TITANIQUE, at the Broadway Playhouse, and as Countess Charlotte Malcolm in Theo Ubique’s A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. And Jackson Evans recently played Touchstone in Writers Theatre’s AS YOU LIKE IT, Victor Garber in TITANIQUE, Ogie in WAITRESS at Paramount and as Dr. Mendel in FALSETTOS, among so many other stellar roles. In this show, both  talented actors reach another pinnacle of perfection. The two brilliantly shine with  great charisma and chemistry while playing off each other and making their comic book romance seem real.

Mark David Kaplan is one of Chicago’s most multitalented and best-loved character actors, bar none. Portraying Mr. Mushnik once again, this sparkling star of the Chicago stage is, as always, right on the money. Mark’s excellent portrayal of this easily-irritated Jewish Skid Row florist keeps an eagle eye on the financial success of his business. Yet, throughout all the ups and downs, Mushnik manages to show he cares for his two young employees. For audiences unfamiliar with Mr. Kaplan (THE FIRST LADY OF TELEVISION, at Northlight; TITANIC, at the Marriott; PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, at Paramount; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, at Drury Lane) he’s also a gifted singer. Mr. Kaplan truly makes the most of ensemble numbers, such as “Closed for Renovations” and, in particular, his priceless, patter song tango, “Mushnik and Son.” 

Artistically adept Andrew Mueller, a standout at Writers Theatre, in both TRANSLATIONS and NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, was spectacular at the Marriott as Gerry Goffin in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING MUSICAL. Here he plays Orin Scrivello, the sadistic DDS. In this role Andrew tears up the stage as Audrey’s sleazy and smarmy boyfriend. But it’s in his appropriately titled musical number, “Dentist!” backed by the Street Urchins, where the audience gets the true sense of his character’s penchant for creating pain. Audrey and Seymour, however, remain clueless about what lies ahead.

A real Renaissance man, Director and Choreographer Tommy Rapley is also a talented actor and playwright. In LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Tommy displays his incredible expertise with the style of this satirical show, putting his stamp on the musical comedy production. Mr. Rapley has both staged and choreographed his production with sharp sensitivity and heightened hilarity, drawing humor out of unexpected moments with his perfect pacing and razor-sharp timing. And Rapley’s choreography features all the right Motown moves, especially for the three street urchins. 

The technical support for this production is a triumph. Musical Supervision, filled with close harmonies, is again provided by Ryan T. Nelson. Mason Moss flawlessly helms the keyboard as he serves as Conductor of the show’s five-member pit orchestra.  Stylish, Colorful, comic period Costumes are from the designs of Amanda Vander Byl, with Wigs & Makeup Designs by Miguel A. Armstrong. And another example of talented, Jeff Award-winner Jesse  Mooney-Bullock’s jaw-dropping Puppet Design (FINDING NEMO at Marriott; FROZEN, THE MUSICAL, INTO THE WOODS and THE WIZARD OF OZ at Paramount) is represented by the artist’s designs for the various incarnations of Audrey II. Beginning as a pint-size plant in a flower pot, Audrey II grows, by the end of the musical, to the stupendous size of a monstrous, walking T-Rex.

Chicagoland has enjoyed a number of excellent productions of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s captivating, clever and comical science fiction musical satire. But Marriott’s arena presentation of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is unique and was well worth the wait. This exciting, creatively-directed production is simply sensational. It features some of Chicago’s finest talent, both on and offstage, all performing at the top of their game. In addition to an entertaining script and a pleasurable score that’s simply unforgettable, this horrifying and hilarious musical comedy will leave audiences with a four-word warning to take with them: Don’t Feed the Plant!

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas 

Presented January 21-March 15 by the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling the Marriott at 847-634-0200 or by going to www.MarriottTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.