Having its roots in a low-budget 1960’s sci-fi film, Little Shop of Horrors was adapted as an Off-Broadway musical in 1982 and has been a cult classic ever since. Many people know this play from the 1986 movie starring Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene – it has captured the imaginations of adults and children alike. That is why it’s so exciting to have the production happening at Stage West in Calgary, running from February 14th to April 20th.
The play is about a nerdy, down-and-out florist’s assistant named Seymour (played by Josh Epstein), who discovers a very unique plant that he can’t even identify. He fondly names it “Audrey 2” after his co-worker and crush Audrey (Kristin Galer), and it becomes his project to nurture it back to health. But try as he might, it keeps wilting. By accident he discovers that the plant seems to perk up when he injures himself, and so begins feeding it drops of his own blood. As it grows bigger and stronger, Seymour is able to use its uniqueness to attract business to save the failing Mushnik’s Florists. But when the plant starts talking, making foul-mouthed demands for more blood to sustain it, Seymour begins to realize there is a price to pay for his newfound fame and success. As a skid-row orphan who has never gotten a break - not even with his crush Audrey who is getting slapped around by her sadistic boyfriend - how far will Seymour go to keep climbing the ladder? What happiness will he find once he has sacrificed everything he has loves to the alien Audrey 2?
Probably one of the most fascinating aspects of the show is the plant itself. In infancy it is a cleverly disguised hand-puppet, but as it grows larger, there is much more work required to animate it. We were told that children who had attended the show prior to us believed the massive plant to be mechanical, and were shocked to find out that Kelly Wong is inside of it to make it move, in time to the off-stage voice acting by Hector Johnson. The duo put on a very convincing show – I dare say they feed off the crowd!
Otherwise it is the classic collection of doo-wop songs that breathe further quirky character into this production, such as the opening anthem “Little Shop of Horrors”. Other well known songs include “Skid Row (Downtown)” as the cast lament the rough conditions “down on skid row”; Audrey’s impassioned plea to escape to “Somewhere That’s Green”; Sadistic Orin’s shameless recollection of why he always knew he would be a “Dentist!”; Audrey 2’s demand to “Feed Me (Git It)”; and “Suddenly, Seymour” sings about the man’s surprising success.
Best get your fill of Stage West’s amazing buffet spread; you might be a little reluctant to tuck into any further desert at intermission after seeing Audrey 2 eating its fill of Orin on stage just prior. The menu includes the usual cold and salad selections; I always tuck into the snow crab legs, but there are also mussels, sushi and much more. The main fare includes Stuffed Chicken Breast with Artichoke and Sundried Tomatoes, Tandori Rubbed Oreo Dory Fillet with Curry Tomato Sauce, Pork Roulade with Cinnamon Apple and Taro Root Calvados Cream Sauce among other warm dishes.
The dark humor in Little Shop of Horrors will make your laughter a guilt-free pleasure as you witness the beginning of the end of the human race. Plant yourself into a seat at Stage West this month or next, for an evening of food and entertainment that will really grow on you.
Stage West Calgary presents
Little Shop of Horrors
February 14th – April 20th, 2008
Tickets: (403) 243-6642
www.stagewestcalgary.com
