Theater Review: 'Little Shop' more than a little fun at Porthouse Theatre
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For a really campy treat, head to Porthouse Theatre in Cuyahoga Falls for the famously fun, comedy sci-fi musical "Little Shop of Horrors."
The musical, which kicks of Porthouse Theatre's 54th season, features a tight cast of nine including Kent State University students, recent grads and other professionals. It's a colorful celebration of the horror musical as well as early rock, doo-wop and Motown, based on the 1960 film by Roger Corman and Charles Griffith.
Director Terri Kent hits all the right notes with her cast, led by Morgan Mills as the nebbishly lovable Seymour. He works at a shabby flower shop on Skid Row, where he explores his hobby of discovering exotic plants.
All of the relationships in this story are cartoonish, including the one between boss Mr. Mushnik (Timothy Culver) and his formerly down-and-out employee Seymour. Character actor Culver brings the tune "Mushnik & Son" to vaudevillian heights when both he and Mills execute a dance reference to "Fiddler on the Roof," complete with a waving hanky.
That stroke of humor comes thanks to choreographer Martin Cespedes, who also brings classic girl band moves to the show's three urchins: Chiffon (Jocelyn Trimmer), Crystal (Israeljah Khi-Reign) and Ronette (Hannah Hall). He created this trio's movement in the style of The Shirelles and The Supremes.
The urchin actresses, all KSU students, serve as the ever-present Greek chorus as they move the story along while singing awesome harmonies.
In this comedy horror musical, Seymour buys a Venus' flytrap-type plant from a Chinese man for $1.95. He soon finds out that the plant, which he names Audrey II after his human crush, is carnivorous and thrives only on human blood.
Audrey II brings color, excitement and fame for Seymour. And as the plant grows to monstrous proportions, Seymour become increasingly desperate to satisfy its insatiable appetite.
Robert Miller and Brian Chandler are the magic-makers behind the Audrey II puppet. Miller's the puppeteer who manipulates Audrey II's huge mouth with its pointy teeth. Bass Chandler, who teaches theater at the University of Akron, thrills when he finally gives voice to Audrey II's bloodlust in "Git It."
Stoffel's Audrey is sadder than she is ditzy, which helps us better relate to this sexy girl who's abused by her boyfriend, Orin. She and Mills bring down the house in their love duet "Suddenly Seymour," where Stoffel lets out her big belt.
As Orin, KSU alum Michael Glavan creates one of the most over-the-top sadistic dentists I've seen yet, and this was the fifth production I've seen of "Little Shop."
Glavan also brings more of a perverted edge to Orin's sadism than I've seen before, which makes him all the more humorous. And costume designer Russell has come up with a genius headpiece for the dentist who loves laughing gas: a clear, round helmet through which we can see his full face in the comical death scene "Now (It's Just the Gas)."
"Little Shop" is a fun and splashy kickoff for a summer at Porthouse, where guests can picnic on the beautiful grounds before the show for this run as well as upcoming productions of "Godspell" July 8 to 23 and "West Side Story" July 20 through Aug. 14.
Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
Musical: "Little Shop of Horrors"
Where: Porthouse Theatre, 3143 O'Neil Road, Cuyahoga Falls, at Blossom Music Center
When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through July 2
Onstage: Morgan Mills, Abby Stoffel, Timothy Culver, Michael Glavan, Jocelyn Trimmer, Israeljah "Aylah" Khi-Reign, Hannah Hall, Jocelyn Trimmer, Brian Chandler, Robert Miller, Devin Pfeiffer, Tyrell Reggins, AT Sanders
Offstage: Howard Ashman, book and lyrics; Alan Menken, music; Terri Kent, director; Martin Cespedes choreographer; Jennifer Korecki, music director; Jaemin Park, lighting designer; Sarah Russell, costume designer; Devin Gallo, technical director; Ben Needham, scenic designer; Annabell Mallard, sound designer; Tom Humes, production stage manager; Dani Vanasse, props manager
Cost: $36-$48
Information: 330-672-3884 or see www.porthousetheatre.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Feed me! Audrey II on rampage in 'Little Shop of Horrors' at Porthouse
