Horrifying-licious sci-fi meets paranormal pop/rock in Porthouse Theatre’s manufacturing of horror musical comedy “Little Store of Horrors,” directed through Terri J. Kent. And whilst it’s going to make you 2d bet buying a venus flytrap anytime quickly, the display indubitably wil have you ever bopping to your seats.
Loosely in line with the Sixties B film of the similar title, the musical model with ebook and lyrics through Howard Ashman and song through Alan Menken — had its Off-Broadway premiere in 1982, successful a number of awards, together with the 1982-1983 Drama Table Award for Exceptional Musical.
Just like the man-eating plant itself, further productions started sprouting up in different portions of the arena, starting with one in London’s West Finish, adopted through a number of in Australia and Canada.
Speedy ahead to lately, and the story of Seymour, Audrey and her murderous namesake, the Audrey II, has change into a staple amongst theater seasons offered through top colleges, schools {and professional} venues.
The present Off-Broadway revival opened in 2019 and contours Broadway vet Christian Borle as masochist Orin Scrivello, DDS.
The tale takes position at Mushnik’s Skid Row Flower Store, which is hurting for industry till nebbish worker Seymour Krelbourne places his “atypical and fascinating plant” within the window. Magically, a buyer is instantly attracted to the plant and orders $100 price of roses.
It doesn’t take lengthy to understand that the important thing to the store’s luck is the well being and enlargement of that plant — lovingly named “Audrey II” after the thing of Seymour’s affection, co-worker Audrey, who’s in an abusive dating with Orin Scrivello, a dentist who enjoys causing ache on his sufferers … and his female friend.
Downside is, the plant eats blood, and sooner or later other folks. How will Seymour in finding sufficient “meals” to stay his plant wholesome and care for his surprising luck? Seymour exclaims, “I don’t know someone who merits to get chopped up and fed to a hungry plant!” And simply as Seymour witnesses Orin smacking his female friend round, Audrey II replies, “Mmmmmm, certain you do.” The plot thickens and takes a gnarly flip.
As you prune this “plant” and weed during the homicide, abuse and coffee drug use, you are going to discover a fun-packed, tongue-in-cheek musical comedy, looking forward to a skilled solid to carry it to existence, and the Porthouse troupe does no longer disappoint.
The supporting characters are the scene-stealers on this manufacturing, starting with Jocelyn Trimmer, Israeljah Khi-Reign and Hannah Corridor as, respectively, Chiffon, Crystal and Ronette, the 3 side road urchins who function a kind of Greek refrain during the display. Their wonderful voices fill all of the area, and their pitch-perfect harmonies make it not possible for the target audience to not sing alongside. They mesh as a trio and stand out for my part in each angle and vocals.
Timothy Culver is hilarious because the stingy store proprietor, Mr. Mushnik. He’s lovably cantankerous, and we will nearly see the lightbulb move off in his mind when he realizes he must stay Seymour round. His shrewd proposal to make Seymour his son performs out in a lovely tango-meets-Tevye-style duet, the place Culver’s vocal chops shine.
Michael Glavin is the man the target audience likes to hate because the sadistic Scrivello. His level presence is larger-than-life, he’s professional at bodily comedy, and he has an outstanding voice. We root for him to get fed to that plant, however we additionally need extra of Glavin. Fortunately, he has some a laugh cameo appearances during the display.
Brian Chandler, because the voice of man-eating plant Audrey II, has the sleek, deep, menacing vocals you may be expecting on this position, in addition to the easiest quantity of chutzpah. With lend a hand from puppeteer Robert Miller, Audrey II turns into a delightfully devilish pressure to be reckoned with.
Morgan Turbines and Abby Soffel, as Seymour and Audrey, have unbelievable vocal versatility, which permits every of them to sing tenderly but additionally hit the entire giant robust belty notes that make songs like “Unexpectedly Seymour” a standout. Alternatively, they lack chemistry as a pair, with Turbines enjoying Seymour extra matter-of-factly, somewhat than as a nerdy, unfortunate particular person. And Soffel embraces the sorrowful, reticent portions of Audrey however loses one of the crucial positive facades the nature normally attracts directly to get her via existence. Each gloss over one of the crucial “bits” that upload humor to their scenes, however they nonetheless ship fascinating performances.
The manufacturing as a complete is a blast, beneath Terri Kent’s watchful eye, and Martin Cespedes’s all the time inventive and playful choreography, with a considerate step for each beat of the joys rating which supplies a nod to a myriad of musical types.
Make your option to Porthouse in case you are up for a wild display this is “out of this global.” Simply don’t sit down too as regards to the level, or Audrey II would possibly come for you subsequent!
‘Little Store of Horrors’
Continues via July 2 at Porthouse Theatre 3143 O’Neil Highway, Cuyahoga Falls. For tickets, $25 to $45, name 330-672-3884 or discuss with kent.edu/porthouse.
