The Muny Warns: Don’t Feed the Plant!
in “Little Shop of Horrors”

by Pat Lindsey

    To feed or not feed the plant, that is the question. In The Muny’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” the audience is horrified when florist shopkeeper, Seymour, makes the wrong decision. And in the end, you’ll see what happens when moral values are cast aside for monetary gains.
Seymour, supremely played by Robin De Jesus, has lived on Skid Row his entire lonely life. His self esteem and aspirations are equally low. Love has eluded him. His only desire is to be loved by Audrey, his co-worker in Mr. Mushnik’s florist shop.
Adorable, but ditzy, Audrey (Patti Murin) also suffers from low self-esteem. Seymour is her friend, but the sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello (Ryan Vasquez) is her abusive boyfriend. Audrey has convinced herself that she doesn’t deserve anyone nicer than Orin, because she has “a past.”
When Mr. Mushnik (Michael McGrath) threatens to close his rundown florist shop for good, Seymour quickly tries to find a way to save their failing business. He brings out a plant that he has been nursing in the back room and places it in the front window. Seymour then convinces Mr. Mushnik that the strange and unusual plant will attract new customers. With a little tender loving care, Seymour successfully makes the plant flourish and customers start pouring into the shop to see it. In honor of his secret love, Audrey, Seymour names his plant Audrey II.
It’s the kind of TLC that Audrey II requires that creates a chain of blood-curdling events in this horror comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. The result is a whimsical evening of quirky humor that will sometimes make you flinch and squirm in your seat. At times, you’ll want to yell out warnings to the actors. And at other times, you’ll want to close your eyes and look away. But most of the time you’ll be thrilled and amazed at the creativity that went into this brilliant production. It’s botany gone wild!
This show is perfectly cast.

The main characters not only look the parts, but they can really sing. Audrey (Patti Murin) lets us know how much she longs for a home away from the city as she beautifully sings, “Somewhere That’s Green.” Seymour (Robin DeJesus) uses his Vinny Barbarino accent when he sings, “Grow For Me.” Ryan Vasquez performs several roles, including Bernstein, Mrs. Luce and Snip and changes voices for each of them. The standout song is a duet by Seymour and Audrey, “Suddenly, Seymour,” a memorable tune that you can sing all the way home. Another favorite is “Skid Row (Downtown)” with its early Motown vibe.
A quirky trio of 1960s street urchins named Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon set the scene and sing, dance and make comments throughout the show. In some ways, they reminded me of the fiddler in “Fiddler on the Roof.” They are performed by Kennedy Holmes, Stephanie Gomerez, and Taylor Marie Daniel and adored by the audience. (Kennedy Holmes, as some of you might recall, is from Florissant and was a Season 15 Finalist on The Voice.) Together, they have the vocal chops to carry the show.
The real star of “Little Shop of Horrors” is Audrey II, a cross between a Venus flytrap and an avocado, that grows before our very eyes. It has a mean-looking pod with shark-like teeth and a deep, scary voice produced by Nicholas Ward. She is manipulated by puppeteer Travis Patton.The two men seamlessly create the voice and body of Audrey II as if they are one active, talking plant. Kudos to James Ortiz for puppet design.
Audrey II will be creepily extending her tentacle-like vines to Muny audiences through July 31 at 8:15 p.m. nightly in Forest Park. Don’t miss the horrific whimsy. For tickets, go to muny.org or call 314-534-1111.

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