Review by Jennifer Mustoe, Front Row Reviewers
Springville Players has gathered a talented bunch of players for its Little Shop of Horrors–enough to double cast several of the principles. So this review will highlight all actors. I can say now that each cast killed it. (This is a pun if you aren’t familiar with LSoH‘s plot.)
Briefly, a flower shop on Skid Row finds new life when shop owner Mr. Muskhik (James Eastmond) finds a strange plant that isn’t thriving. Shop worker Seymour (Cade Marshall/Michael Wood) Seymour suddenly realizes that the plant he names Audrey 2 (Belle Mowrey/Jonathan McManus), thrives on human blood. Seymour does his best to supply Audrey ll with her needed ration of blood, but he has only so many fingers he can prick to get the necessary food. Seymour is a clumsy, goofy, shy, and unprepossessing chap in love with receptionist Audrey (Kiki Garner/Nicole Luncquist), a young woman who is down on her luck but has a heart of gold. Audrey shows up with some kind of injury daily, caused by her masochistic dentist boyfriend Orin Scrivello (Talon Tippets/Dustin Parmley).
These cast members all bring different and delightful character choices to their roles. I was impressed with Marshall’s pure vitality onstage as Seymour. His physicality works as he becomes more frantic to get Audrey ll more blood while shyly trying to impress Audrey. Wood’s Seymour takes his role seriously and performs with dignity and strength. Garner as Audrey sings with a remarkably lilting voice and her victim behavior is spot on and makes the audience sympathize with her. Her bashful behavior and the budding relationship with Seymour is sweet. Lundquist’s Audrey becomes quite emotional during the “Somewhere That’s Green” reprise and adds a different tone to this role I’ve never seen before. Her relationship with Seymour is more mature and grounded. Each player shines with their own characterization choices.
Typically Audrey ll is played by a male actor, and McManus has powerful darker energy. His evil laugh fills the auditorium. Mowrey as Audrey ll is a wonderful twist on the character. Her voice is sweet and strong, which makes her devious and gleeful in a totally different but highly effective manner. Eastmond’s Mushnik brings the character’s panic when his shop is closing but avaricious when it becomes popular. Mushnik is horrible to Seymour, but senses the shop kid’s ability to make the plant grow and grow suddenly offers to become Seymour’s dad. Eastmond made me easily hate his character, which says he has created his role perfectly.
Little Shop of Horrors is narrated by three shoo-bop women whose harmonies are wonderful and donned in beautifully authentic to the period costumes (Sara Jane Isom). This well-choreographed trio (choreographer Justice Roberts) provides the audience important information in a glittering, fun-filled way. Crystal (Megan Gwilliam), Ronnette (Taiza Savage), and Chiffon (Kelsey Eastmond) sing and shimmy with precision and grace.
The set by Michael Roberts is terrific–Skid Row never looked better! Roberts is also the director and his gargantuan efforts to work with two casts is impressive. Puppet wranglers Julia Allen and Sadie Coleman manipulate that scary plant with humor that makes the audience laugh. Musical Directors Michelle McManus and Isom nail it. Strong vocals, great performance quality. The music in a musical has to be right, and these two bring it.
Springville Playhouse’s Little Shop of Horrors is a great ending to the slew of summer musicals. This show isn’t performed often, and it’s a dark humor piece that you’ll enjoy.
Springville Playhouse‘s Little Shop of Horrors, by Alan Menken.
Merit Academy, 1440 W. Center St., Springville UT 84663
August 8-9, 15-16, 18, 22-23, 25, 29-30 7:30 PM. Matinee August 30, 2025 2:00 PM
Tickets: $15
Contact: springvilleplayhouse1947@gmail.com
This is not a completely family friendly musical. It’s portrayed as funny, as it should be. But it is about a blood/man-eating plant. Little kids may be slightly traumatized with this plot.
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