By Amber Rubio
St. George Musical Theater brings Little Shop of Horrors back to life in the beautiful St. George Opera House in St.George, Utah. This started off as a low budget movie produced in the 1960’s directed by Roger Corman and was revised to premiere on off-off Broadway in May of 1982 and finally moved to the Orpheum Theater later that year. The remake of the film in 1986 directed by Frank Oz and starring actors such as Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, John Candy, Jim Belushi and Bill Murray is what finally made this dark rock musical comedy have a cult following that would cause the show to explode all around the world. The stage adaptation is composed by Alan Menken and written by Howard Ashman and is about Seymour (Brennan Walters), an awkward young man, and his desire to find love and happiness while living on Skid Row. The story takes place in a failing flower shop that in a last hope effort decides to attempt to bring in crowds by displaying an unusual plant that young Seymour discover during a solar eclipse. The plant does exactly that but will bring a large cost to the community as his popularity grows along with his demands. This story weaves its way through abuse, love, and murder.
The Urchins (Ashlie Davenport, Lizzie Lotterer and McKenzie Morgan) help tell the story through song as they make you smile with their street tough attitudes and willingness to do anything for a buck. They dance, sing, and change costumes so flawlessly and quickly just when you look around they are coming back with a whole new look. Their harmonies are so pleasant and they do such a great job of their New York persona that it made me feel like I was talking to my grandpa from the Bronx. Walters as Seymour and beautiful young Audrey (Makayla Nelson) work at Mushnik’s (Jerry D. Harris) Flower Shop on Skid Row in NYC. Watching their sweet emotions they have for each other is endearing. Walters is the perfect mix of awkward and lovable. His desire to please both Nelson and Harris leaves you cheering for him. Nelson does a great job of playing the girl that is trapped in her environment. She is in an abusive relationship with Orin Scrivello DDS (Adam Cheney) and wants nothing more than to be loved and taken care of. Cheney dramatically embraces the role of an over confident, egotistical, chauvinistic man. He makes you hate him as you watch enthralled as he sings about his childhood and why he is amazing in his own mind. Harris nails his no nonsense shop owner role and dabbles in just enough kindness that you know he cares about his two little employees even if he does think they are horrible at their jobs. Audrey II (Trey Paterson) must have been a challenging role. The part is played by a puppet and voiced behind the scenes but Paterson’s timing and ability to match with the actions are on point. He has a booming voice that really portrays exactly what a bloodthirsty, world dominating plant should sound like. There is a small, but strong, ensemble (Savannah Brown, Janessa Judkins, Anna McNamara, Joseph Nygaard, Dallin Suman) that do a great job of adding to the feeling of community and to the impact that the new-found success of the shop does for those living on Skid Row.
St. George Musical Theater’s Little Shop of Horrors is fast-paced and hilarious if you can appreciate the dark humor. It has a bit of a mature theme and may not be a great choice for young children that could be startled by the loud sounds or adults that could be sensitive to the fog machine as it is a smaller theater and can get pretty foggy. There is some adult language, not profanity but could be offensive to some, along with the adult theme of domestic abuse and murder. And a plant that eats people.
The show is under the direction of Kyle Myrick, who also runs Hurricane Valley Theatrical Company, https://www.hurricanetheatrical.com/, he has assembled not only an amazing cast but a dream team to work with in the production of this. Dan Olsen produces this show and has been involved with St. George Musical Theater since 2006. Sammy Myrick handles several roles as the choreographer and costume designer and you can really see her attention to detail in not only the consistently sharp dance routines but in the way the costumes enhance the performers by making them relatable to their characters. Jennifer D Roberts is the lighting designer with Marissa Walters on the light board. Jadon Webster is the music director and as soon as I saw his name on the billing I knew we were in for a treat vocally and he does not disappoint. Nicole Kimzey is the stage manager and Tamsy Thompson serves in the role of prop master. St. George Musical Theater’s Little Shop of Horrors also has a unique task for Nathan Merrill who was the Puppeteer for Audrey II.
St. George Musical Theater’s Little Shop of Horrors is a rollicking, dark comedy with a heart of gold. Though it’s usually played around Halloween, who says summer can’t have some dark laughs and great music and dancing? Bring your tweens and up to Little Shop and you can find out what happens when Audrey II yells, “FEED ME, SEYMOUR!” in St. George, Utah.
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St. George Musical Theater presents Little Shop of Horrors, written by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken
St. George Musical Theater, 212 N. Main St., St. George, UT 84770
June 28-30, July 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 2018 7:30 PM, matinees Saturday July 7, 14 2:00 PM.
Tickets: $17-21
Contact: 1-866-967-8167
St. George Musical Theater Facebook Page
Little Shop of Horrors Facebook Event
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