NSMT’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Turns Campy Cult Classic into Musical Comedy Gem

September 23, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Audrey II, Andrew Montgomery Coleman (as Seymour Krelborn) and Kim Sava (as Audrey) in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at North Shore Music Theatre thru October 2, 2022. Photos © Paul Lyden

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ – Book by Howard Ashman; Music by Alan Menken; Based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith. Directed by Bob Richard; Choreography by Diane Laurenson; Music Direction, Dan Rodriguez. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre at 54 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA through October 2

by Mike Hoban

Little Shop of Horrors, now playing at the North Shore Music Theatre, is the rarest of modern musicals. Unlike the recent Broadway trend of taking a good (or at least popular) movie and turning it into a bad musical, Little Shop transforms a very bad movie – but supremely campy cult favorite – and turns it into a very good musical. Combining an early 60’s inspired rock ‘n roll score and an absurd but very funny plot, it’s the very definition of a musical comedy.

Darkly Comic ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Rocks the Lyric Stage

September 5, 2019September 10, 2019 michaelhoban2 Comments

(Katrina Z Pavao, Dan Prior, and Audrey II in ‘Little Shop of Horror’ at the Lyric Stage Company – Photos by Mark S. Howard)

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ – Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman; Music by Alan Menken; Directed and Choreographed by Rachel Bertone; Music Direction by Dan Rodriguez. Scenic Design by Janie E. Howland; Costume Design by Marian Bertone; Sound Design by AndrewDuncan Will; Lighting Design by Frank Meissner, Jr.; Puppet Design by Cameron McEachern. Presented by the Lyric Stage Company of Boston at 140 Clarendon St, Boston through October 6th.

By Mike Hoban

The promotional materials in the press kit for the Lyric Stage’s 45th season promise “Music, Mystery, Murder & Mirth”, and with their stellar opening production of Little Shop of Horrors, the theater company makes good on all counts right out of the gate. Directed by multiple IRNE winner Rachel Bertone and performed by a first-rate cast, the revival of this 1980’s horror/comedy delivers not only as a musical, but as a legitimately funny comedy as well. From its opening 60’s girl group title number to it’s wacked out sci-fi conclusion, Little Shop is a rollicking blast.

Trinity Rep’s Little Shop of Horrors Makes Being Green Look Easy

April 19, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*(Rebecca Gibel, Jude Sandy and Stephen Berenson in Trinity Rep’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’)*

By Linda Chin

Little Shop of Horrors – Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman; Music by Alan Menken; Directed by Tyler Dobrowsky. At Trinity Repertory Theater, 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI through May 12

Like the beloved Elphaba, Shrek and Kermit the Frog can attest, it’s not easy being green. This lament also holds true for the trio of characters – Audrey, Seymour, and Audrey II – trapped in a flower shop on the skids. Trinity Rep’s Little Shop of Horrors makes being green look easy, and simply delightful. Director Tyler Dobrowsky sets the production in Providence, spelled out in a giant mural next to the fabulous on-stage (!) band directed by Esther Zabinsky.

Trinity Rep’s “LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS” a Musical Comedy Gem

April 15, 2019April 19, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Review by Tony Annicone

Welcome back to 1960’s Providence and Trinity Rep’s current musical production of their 54th season which is “Little Shop of Horrors.” This 1986 musical is based on the 1960 Roger Corman film. It is a tongue in cheek musical comedy that will make you think twice about buying that potted plant and is one of the longest running off-Broadway shows. This musical version is by Harold Ashman and Alan Menken who also wrote Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.” Meek flower shop assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed R&B singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it blood! Over time though Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and dastardly intent on world domination. We find out the plant has a hidden agenda in this boy meets girl, plant eats world campy musical comedy set in the 1960’s. Director Tyler Dobrowsky, musical director Esther Zabinski and choreographer yon Tande lead this marvelously talented cast as they act, sing and dance their way into the hearts of a very appreciative audience on a fun-filled journey to Skid Row in Providence.