So I'm listening to the 2003 Broadway revival of Little Shop and remembered there was a thread on here about something happening with the plant at the finale. I searched and couldn't find it, just fyi. Does the plant go out into the audience or something? Anyone have a video of the Broadway version of the finale? I think that'd be really cool to see! For theatre companies that do this show, how do they get the plant? I know they probably don't make it. Just a thought. Thanks!
Concerning theater companies that do the show -- MTI does license plant designs (I believe the original off-Broadway ones) for theater companies to build on their own. It's also possible to rent pre-made plant puppets from companies who have already produced the show.
"You mean what was the best picture of the year or what did they pick as the best picture of the year?" - California Suite
I remember it being lower, like you could reach up and touch it, and dont forget the guys in the root things that were roling all around and over the audience in the front. It was one of the best finales I've ever seen in a show.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
The finale that everyone has on tape doesn't exist. It's illegal. It was really cool to see on Broadway, at least the finale since the revival was moribound. Loved how Seymore terrorized the audience!
In the original off Broadway production, I saw it early in the run and the finale consisted of the ceiling opening up over each row and green styrophome leaves tumbling down, attaching to each one of us. It was startling at the time, but much fun. I LOVED the original, and will never forget it.
Actually: in the off b'way original run no ceiling opened up. The vines were simply wound around battens high in the ceiling where no one was looking. At the last note of the show -- at the end of the curtain calls, I THINK -- the battens were released and they 'unwound' down throughout the house. They were attatched and didn't TOUCH anyone. (Unless perhaps you were freakishly tall.)
But yes....it was a great moment in theatre. I went with people that had all seen the show before, and they were simply waiting for MY reaction to that moment. How sad that they didn't use that idea for Bway. (I didn't get to see the production, so not a comment for the production itself.)
And yes...MTI simply rents out the puppets. I have no idea how expensive it is to do so...but probably well worth the cost for community theaters.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I like the Broadway version, but the show is really a chamber musical, and I think it ruined the intimacy. That's the problem I have with many versions. I don't even think high schools should do it, because rarely do you have the ten-person cast in high schools, which I think is important.
Recent Broadway and Off-Broadway:: Carrie, Merrily, Ionescopade
Next On The List :: Clybourne Park, Once, Streetcar, BOM
3 Street Urchins Seymour Audrey Audrey II Mr. Mushnick The Dentist (Whose name is totally escaping me.)
The following are played by a small ensemble of actors: Skid Row bums Flower Shop Customers Reporters
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
The original cast is eight -- nine if you count the Audrey II puppeteer. Audrey II's voice actor doubles as a Skid Row bum, and Orin doubles as everybody else.
"You mean what was the best picture of the year or what did they pick as the best picture of the year?" - California Suite
The Orpheum actually had the vines at the end tucked in drop boxes. Long rectangular boxes with hinged lids that would open in unison when tripped by the lighting booth. I had the great opportunity to work in a hop that built the plants for that original production.
Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!
is it me, or does once a month not look old enough to have seen the original, early in it's run?
And...if he had seen it then and on Broadway...wouldn't they know that it's Audrey II that does the terrorizing? (Unless I have reallly missed something)
Interesting about the boxes....in my mind's eye, I can clearly picture battens! But let's face it.....that was quite some time ago!!! Although, boxes make more sense given the speed that they needed to drop.
I remembered Orin playing many parts...but I thought there were a few ensemble members (that were only in a minimal number of scenes)
However, I can totally see community groups bumping the cast to a dozen or so. More than that? YUCK. That would be as harsh as Godspell with a chorus. (I shudder.)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Original show at the Orpheum. In the cab, we passed CBGBs and OMFUG. Someone in the cab said "What does OMFUG stand for?" just as two of the most frightful Punk girls with crazy-glued mohawks came out the front door. I instinctively replied "O M'Gawd, F****** Ugly Girls." Huge laugh. Great show. Good times............