Stage Door News
Stage Door News
WATERLOO REGION – A unlikely hero, a demented dentist, a troubled girl and a blood-thirsty plant that sings rhythm and blues – it's a delicious recipe for fun as St. Jacobs Country Playhouse launches its much-anticipated 2016 Season with one of the longest-running Off-Broadway musicals of all time. Little Shop of Horrors, the hilarious sci-fi spoof musical that has devoured the hearts of theatregoers around the world, is on stage now through March 26th.
Based on a 60s cult film, Little Shop of Horrors is the story of geeky florist assistant Seymour who finds his chance for everything he ever desired — fame, money, and the affection of his beloved Audrey — via a strange and extraordinary plant. But when the devious plant reveals its plans for a world takeover, Seymour must decide if he can sacrifice it all in order to save the planet from this botanical beast and its sinister spores.
Despite its gruesome name, Little Shop of Horrors opened on Broadway in the early 80s to instant acclaim – winning numerous awards and spawning a successful film version in 1986 starring Rick Moranis, Steve Martin and Ellen Greene. The eccentric musical continues to be produced all over the world and is widely considered to be one of the greatest musicals of all time largely due to the extraordinary score by Disney song-writing dream team Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who wrote the now-famous music for Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. The tight harmonies, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and memorable melodies composed in the style of doo-wop and early Motown have cemented the show as Ashman and Menken’s masterpiece even among their impressive Disney canon.
“Anyone who has an appreciation for the 60s doo-wop sound will love this production,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “With its winning cast of quirky characters and outrageous story line, audiences will be mesmerized by the growing plant – all while screaming with laughter and grooving along to the incredibly catchy music.”
Director and Choreographer Mike Jackson, who helmed last season’s Broadway spectacle Chicago, brilliantly balances all the elements of this hilarious cult classic, keeping the bizarre story fast and exciting while also building the tender romance that anchors this far-out musical. His pseudo Motown choreography accentuates the funky music, making for a truly sensational production that is fun, upbeat and packed with entertainment value.
Music Director Michael Barber leads a superbly talented band with the necessary flair and panache required to bring Ashman and Menken’s powerhouse score to life.
Costume Designer Ivan Brozic has outdone himself, creating a signature wardrobe for each character that captures the vibrancy of the era. The versatility of Samantha Burson’s lavish rotating set makes for quick transformations, as the story quickly shifts from Skid Row to Mushnik’s Flower Shop and other locations. Kevin Fraser’s varied lighting design accentuates each distinctive setting while emphasizing the musical’s sci-fi tone and sinister underbelly. The stage is alive with colour and detail, creating a visually captivating production that is a feast for the eyes.
Featuring nine terrific actors, this twisted comedy allows the entire cast to shine, demonstrating once again the depth of talent on stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Newcomer Ken James Stewart is endearingly hapless as nerdy florist Seymour Krelborn. Stewart leads the audience with comic conviction as he gradually becomes an unlikely hero. His clear, quirky voice is an excellent fit for the underdog role – his version of the charming song “Grow for Me” is adorably geeky and funny.
Showcasing her breadth of experience, Jayme Armstrong delivers an emotional performance as Audrey, balancing just the right amount of vulnerability and allure with a great sense of honesty and charm that is essential for this Marilyn Monroe-esque peroxide blonde with self-esteem issues. Armstrong wins hearts with her impeccable rendition of the iconic song “Somewhere That’s Green.” Armstrong is also the Assistant Director for the production.
Stewart and Armstrong have convincing chemistry, making the audience root for their unlikely romantic every step of the way through this wacky dark comedy. Their soaring rendition of the famed duet “Suddenly Seymour” is one of many musical highlights.
It’s a show well-served for villains, and Jamie McKnight is feverishly funny as Orin Scrivello, the sadistic dentist, who is also Audrey’s dreadful boyfriend. McKnight also appears in several cameo roles highlighting his comic versatility. Audiences will remember McKnight from his plethora of comic roles including the title role in Aladdin: The Panto last Christmas among others.
Nicholas Rice is well cast as Mr. Mushnik, the owner of the failing Skid Row Flower Shop, who is both an ally and an enemy to Seymour. Rice succeeds at being both demanding boss and scheming father figure, skillfully goading his protégé to feed the growing plant at all costs – as long as it’s good for business.
Divine Brown, Vanessa Cobham and Shahi Teruko sparkle as Crystal, Chiffon and Ronnette (named after the famed girl groups of the 60s), the trio of doo-wop girls who narrate the story. Brimming with musical prowess, these three powerful vocalists impress as they sing rich harmonies that rival the famous Supremes.
Finally, the big bad plant Audrey II, affectionately known as “Twooey,” comes to life using two actors. As the voice of the plant, Lee Siegel’s booming baritone echoes through the theatre as he coaxes Seymour into doing the plant’s bidding. Siegel is a perfect fit for the role – his rich, expressive voice makes the most of every notes and syllable compelling the audience to love the bad guy, especially in delicious rhythm and blues songs like “Feed Me” and “Suppertime.”
Audrey II begins as a small potted plant groaning and wilting as it begs for blood and soon grows into a full-fledged beast skillfully animated by puppeteer Gregory Pember, whose other career as a yoga instructor must come in handy as he manipulates the plant body and its vines to synch with Siegel’s voice. Siegel and Pember’s combine efforts create the illusion that the plant is truly alive and ready to devour the world – it’s a masterful feat on stage with no digital effects to rely on as they do on screen.
Little Shop of Horrors is proudly sponsored by Josslin Insurance and Anytime Fitness. Media Sponsors are 107.7 2Day FM and the Waterloo Chronicle. The Design Sponsor is Boston Pizza and RWAM Insurance Administrators Inc. The 2016 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
Regular performance tickets are $44.00 for adults, $36.00 for groups of 20 or more, and $26.00 for youth under 20 years of age. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Little Shop of Horrors runs now to March 26th. Tickets may be purchased in person at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, online at www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com or by calling the Box Office at (519) 747-7788 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
Photo: Jayme Armstrong, Shahi Teruko and Ken James Stewart. ©2016 Hilary Gauld Camilleri.
2016-03-11
St. Jacobs: Drayton Entertainment presents "Little Shop of Horrors" in St. Jacobs now through March 26