Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The glorious, decidedly old-fashioned revival of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS hits all the right notes

• By drediman
• October 20, 2019
• No Comments

Tammy Blanchard and Jonathan Groff in Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Westside Theatre. Photo by Emilio Madrid.

This past week, the hugely anticipated Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors opened at the Westside Theatre. For those of you who don’t know, the 1982 musical was penned by the then-unknown team of composer Alan Menken and lyricist/bookwriter Howard Ashman, who would go on to write the some of Disney’s most iconic animated feature films, such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. Little Shop of Horrors is a much-loved but unlikely gem of a musical (and movie musical) – itself based on a 1960 B-movie of the same name – that tells the cautionary tale of an alien man-eating plant and the circumstances that allow it to thrive.

Let me just go out and say it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more satisfying, carefully processed production of Little Shop of Horrors than the one currently selling out at the Westside. Tony-winning director Michael Mayer completely understands what makes the musical tick and has returned it to its scrappy, soulful roots. His decidedly and stubbornly – and all the better for it – old-fashioned (not a projection in sight, nice!), perfectly-designed production (courtesy of brilliant designer Julian Crouch) spends extra effort focusing on the ache and despair that underlies show’s campy sci-fi/horror whiz bang. The result is a superbly balanced production that made me feel as much as it entertained (and boy does it!), highlighting the musical’s effortless ability to be both sweet and subversive.

Mr. Mayer’s starry dream cast are fully onboard with his vision, and they deliver performances that dig deep. Tammy Blanchard’s visibly brutalized Audrey defiantly cuts her own portrait of a perhaps irreversibly damaged woman; amazingly, she handily erases memories of originator Ellen Greene’s indelible performance. Jonathan Groff’s interpretation Seymour is less forcefully geeky than most I’ve seen take on the role, and the performance is all the more affecting for of it. And two-time Tony-winner Christian Borle predictably chews the scenery whenever he’s on, regardless of role. Rounding out the cast are Ari Groover, Salome Smith, and Joy Woods as the most deliciously vivacious street urchins/Greek chorus I’ve seen, as well as Tom Alan Robbins and Kingsley Leggs, who are pretty ideal as Mushnik and Audrey II, respectively. Suffice to say, they all do Mr. Menken and the late Mr. Ashman’s sterling score proud.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Off-Broadway, Musical
Westside Theatre
2 hours (with one intermission)
Through January 19