By Tina Hawley
Even if you’ve never seen a B-rate black-and-white horror movie from the 60s, you know what they are. (Think Wolfman and The Brain That Wouldn’t Die.) Sandy Arts Guild’s presentation of the dark comedy musical Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Nolan Mitchell, is another gem in this campy, slightly horrifying, and thoroughly enjoyable tradition. Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (also responsible for Disney classics like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast), this musical is an adaptation of the 1960s film, and improves upon it with several new songs and some fun audience interaction.
The Theater at Mount Jordan in Sandy is a large theater with comfortable seats and great acoustics. It is also one of the only local theaters with a fly loft, allowing scenery to be drawn up out of sight, and Set Designer Spencer Brown takes full advantage of the opportunity. Sandy Arts Guild has provided a live band to accompany this production (particular props to Angel Williams on the drums!), and it’s a great addition to Little Shop’s already impressive musical score. There is also a drawing for free tickets to upcoming productions during the intermission, and real venus flytraps for sale at the concessions.
Little Shop of Horrors is the tragic tale of mild-mannered floral assistant Seymour Krelborn (Danny Eggers), who finds a unique and carnivorous plant which he names Audrey II after his coworker Audrey (Eva TerraNova), whom he’s also in love with. After he shows Audrey II to his employer Mr. Mushnik (Justin Berry), Mushnik insists they use it to publicize his failing flower shop. It’s more effective than he could have imagined. But as Seymour and Mushnik’s flower shop are launched into the national spotlight, a problem emerges: Audrey II isn’t just any old plant. It can only survive on human flesh, and it’s getting hungrier by the day.
Eggers does a wonderful job showing Seymour’s mental anguish as he’s torn between his desire to impress and romance Audrey and the moral constraints of his conscience. His decision to murder Audrey’s abusive boyfriend Orin (Shelby Maughan) really makes the audience ask: “How far would I go to protect the people I love?” TerraNova is delightful as Audrey, expertly pulling off the balance between her strong New York Bronx accent and her sweet, genuine nature, and her boyfriend-inflicted injuries (makeup designed by Alanna Cottam) look painfully real. Her chemistry with Eggers is adorable, particularly in their song, “Suddenly, Seymour.”
Most of the play is narrated in song by three street urchins, Chiffon (Alexsys Campbell), Crystal (Brianna Chipman), and Ronnette (Taylor Thompson). Thompson has several solos throughout the play and carries them off beautifully. The trio serve as a great comedic element in multiple scenes, but my favorite was during “Don’t It Go to Show Ya Never Know,” where the girls give high praise to all Seymour’s recent accomplishments, while Seymour himself desperately tries to keep Audrey II from taking a bite out of them in the background.
Berry as Mr. Mushnik is the picture of a greedy shop owner focused on profits, even to the point of insisting on adopting Seymour to make sure he doesn’t leave. I also applaud Maughan for an Orin who is distinctly despicable, and yet somehow still hilarious, stealing the stage in “Dentist!” Maughan also plays several other parts throughout the production (no spoilers!) to great effect.
And so we come to the central feature of any production of Little Shop: Audrey II itself. Bringing the bloodthirsty plant to life is a major endeavor, and this show has done a wonderful job. A series of moving props and puppets (designed by Robyn Rausher-Fellows) effectively show Audrey II’s growth throughout the show, and are expertly puppeted by Eggers, and in later scenes by ensemble cast Katelyn Cannon, Jesse Jensen, Jrzy Reo Riemo, and Emmalee Fredrickson. Audrey II’s voice is provided by DRU, who gives this green-leafed monster a rowdy, devilish final touch.
The musical and technical side of this production is high-quality. Mark Pearce and Jann LeVitre provide wonderful musical direction and choreography. The lightning flash by Rick Marston (lighting) and Bryce Robinette (sound) caught me off guard with its authenticity. Chad McBride’s costumes are perfect, running the gamut from broke-down ghetto to sparkly showcase, with several characters changing clothes multiple times in a scene.
It would be easy to say that Little Shop of Horrors is a show past its prime, with stereotypes and themes that have run their race. I vehemently disagree. Besides being wildly funny and rife with good music, this show carries themes of abuse and power in relationships, as well as questions of morality and the choices we make to get ahead in life. There’s a value to horror in that it makes us reflect on who we really are, and what it really means to be human. Sandy Arts Guild has produced a high-quality, engaging production that does just that. I highly recommend it.
(Note: Several instances of mild to strong language, some disturbing elements)
Sandy Arts Guild Presents Little Shop of Horrors, written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken
The Theater at Mount Jordan, 300 E 9400 S, Sandy 84070
October 5 – 20, 2018, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Adults $12, Seniors and Students $10, Children 3-12 $8
Contact: 801-568-ARTS
Sandy Arts Guild Facebook Page
Little Shop of Horrors Facebook Event
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