Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (member, American Theatre Critics Association; Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle), and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)
Photos courtesy of Sean Carter Photography
Katie Kujala, Antonio Vettraino, Chip DuFord
A Man-Eating Plant With Plans
To kick off their 56th season (and just in time for Halloween), Meadow Brook presents the grisly, goofy comic book of a musical called “Little Shop of Horrors”. Sometimes raunchy, always irresistable, “Little Shop” became a cult favorite when it opened off-Broadway in 1982, running for five years. Based on Roger Corman’s 1960 noir-ish film of the same name, it was adapted for the stage into a big, raucous musical and garnered numerous awards, due in large part to the catchy songs by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who drew heavily from early Motown, Doo-Wop, Rhythm and Blues, and pop ballads.
The time and place: The early 1960s, the 21st of September, on Skid Row. Down-on-his-luck flower shop owner Mr Mushnik (MBT veteran Chip DuFord) and his shy, nerdy assistant Seymour (recent matinee understudy Antonio Vettraino) see a sudden turn of fortune after Seymour buys an odd little plant from an old Chinese man one day during an eclipse. When he brings it back to the shop, his new discovery turns out to be an alien with an appetite for human blood and plans of – you guessed it – world conquest! The plant, who Seymour names “Audrey II”, keeps bellowing “Feed Me!” in a gutsy contralto. Seymour ends up making a Faustian bargain with his greedy friend. The human race is under threat. Sounds like fun, yes?
Sade Crosby, Meka King, Destyni Williams
Seymour’s secret, unrequited crush is fellow employee Audrey (Katy Kujala), a girl with self-esteem issues and a weakness for bad boys. She talks fondly of her “semi-sadist” motorcycle-riding dentist boyfriend Orin (Dan Fenaughty). He keeps her happy with handcuffs and black eyes.
DuFord and Vettraino are a great team, especially in their tango number “Mushnik and Son”. Kujala and Vettraino have some wonderful duets, like “Suddenly Seymour”, where Vettraino’s fine voice is showcased. Kujala really shines as a singer in the lovely ballad “Somewhere That’s Green”. Her longing to escape Skid Row to a Donna Reed world of tidy houses and domestic bliss is incredibly touching. But the real show-stopper has to be Fenaughty, when he makes his first appearance onstage with his number “Dentist!”. He’s a quirky combination of Elvis and the Marquis de Sade, with groovy moves and a superb voice.
Sade Crosby, Meka King and Destyni Williams as Ronette, Crystal and Chiffon form a sort of girl-group Greek chorus, appearing at just the right times to offer sympathy, guidance and fabulous vocals. They help establish the downtrodden locale, where the residents of Skid Row seem to have given up on happiness. Director Travis Walter says it best: “We may not all be stuck in a rut in Skid Row, but everyone has aspirations and desires that are just out of reach. These characters give us something to root for, and as campy and funny as the show might be, at its center it has an abundance of heart.”
In most productions, the fiendish plant is usually voiced by a male singer, but in an interesting twist, MBT’s version is performed by a lady who can really belt ‘em out – Tamara Della Anderson. She gives powerful voice to Audrey II, gliding effortlessly between bluesy tunes and rock’n’roll. Not to be forgotten: the man behind the plant, puppeteer Tyler Bolda, who must have fantastic vibes in his arms and legs!
Little Shop Cast
The five-piece band sounds much larger than it is, directed by Zachary Ryan. The versatile flower shop set by Jen Price Fick is perfect for the time and place, and converts to street scenes, dentist office and other locations with a simple curtain.
Walter’s many creative choices keep the show’s pacing lively, with relentless energy that keeps the audience fully engaged. Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi, campy horror or just great music, this show is sure to please!
Now through October 30, 2022
Tickets $37 to $46
Meadow Brook Theatre at Wilson Hall
Oakland University
378 Meadow Brook Rd
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
(248) 377-3300
www.mbtheatre.com
A special note: As Covid-19 is a constantly changing situation, MBT will be monitoring and adhering to the guidance given by the CDC, the State of Michigan, the Actor’s Equity Association, and Oakland University. Check the Meadow Brook Theatre website at www.mbtheatre.com for the latest information on efforts to keep everyone safe.
This theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers of the United States. The theater operates under the agreement with the International Alliance of Theatre Stage employees, Local 38.
Meadow Brook Theatre’s season is supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kresge Foundation, the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, the Shubert Foundation and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.
