Little Shop of Horrors

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Little Shop of Horrors

Playwright/s/Composer/s – Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken with original vocal arrangements by Robert Billig, new arrangements by Michael Kosarin with orchestrations by Danny Troob. Based on the film by Roger Corman with screenplay by Charles Griffith.

Production Company/Theatre space (professional) Theatre Calgary / Max Bell Theatre at the Werklund Centre.

Length – 2 Act (2 hour 20 minutes, one intermission.)

Genre– Musical fantasy comedy horror

Premise – A disadvantaged orphan shop keep smitten with his coworker (who is in an abusive relationship with a dentist) is manipulated by an alien plant that needs human blood to survive…

Why this play? Why now? – Name recognition. Entertainment, extremely well done.

Curiosities – Why didn’t TC open with this show?

Notable Moment – The ending!

Notable writing – This “doo-wop” Motown black comedy musical was originally produced at the Orpheum Theatre in New York City by WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh, and the Shubert Organization. The show was produced off and on Broadway and the West End before touring internationally. It won two Drama Desk Awards.

Notable performances – Mark Bellamy still basking in the glow of Come From Away, delivers another phenomenal performance as the Jewish shop owner and surrogate father to Seymour played by Tenaj Williams. Williams has come a long way from StoryBook Alum to working with Mirvish in Toronto and the Citadel in Edmonton. Michael-Lemont Lytle (last seen in Calgary at Stage West’s very successful Sister Act) gives us another stellar performance as Audrey 2. New singers must be green with envy at Kate Blackburn’s talent playing Audry 1. Gaelan Beatty as the sadistic dentist and multiple character quick change artist has us eating out of his hand.

Notable design/Production – Recent Simonovich winning Green Fools Theatre constructed the perfect puppets. Costume Designer Rebbecca Toon’s costumes were 1950’s quick change perfect and Beyata Hackborn is triumphant with her set, props and puppet design.

Notable direction – Director & Choreographer Tracey Flye delivers a monstrous hit. Music Director and Conductor David Terriault rocks a tight band.

One reason to see this show – This show will feed you. See more theatre! Seymour theatre!