Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Little Theatre of Hanover

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS began its life, much like Audrey II, in humble circumstances, as a black-and-white Roger Corman horror flick generated in two days and using, in a bit part, an unknown actor named Jack Nicholson. One day, however, it was tended to by writer Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, and it grew into an Off-Off Broadway musical. That was fed by audiences into an Off-Broadway hit. It became a Rick Moranis film, with Steve Martin as the infamous dentist, and while it kept on growing, somehow it evaded Broadway until 2003, where it wilted a bit because of big-budget, big-stage overgrowth. Fortunately, theatres stick these days with the well-pruned Off-Broadway version, without quite so much Miracle-Gro in the water, and audiences continue to love it for good reason.

Over at Hanover Little Theatre, director Jeremy Slagle has spread the love with a new production of the old classic. TJ Creedon plays lovable plant nerd and klutz Seymour as if taped glasses were his regular wardrobe, while Hillary Miller's Audrey is just the right balance of adorable and completely tacky. Ron Ross is a fine call as florist Mushnik, while Greg Trax has finally fulfilled his destiny as Orin, the dentist, Audrey's boyfriend and first victim of Audrey II - and never has a death been more appreciated by an audience. Trax has worked with this show numerous times, but he's finally on stage, and in one of the juiciest smaller roles in musicals. His nitrous-addicted, cycle-riding bad boy creep of a medical professional is simply enormous fun to watch.

Marquas Fountain voices Audrey II, and sounds hungry enough for an entire battalion, let alone one giant and still-growing Audrey II. The girl-group trio, Crystal, Chiffon, and Ronnette, are, respectively, Gabrielle Dixon, April Howard, and Morgan Miskiel, who perform a heroic task; they're lead singers, backup singers, and the narrators of the play, which means they're on stage at almost all times.

Creedon and Miller deliver a lovely "Suddenly, Seymour" - as they'd better, since they're engaged. There's no doubt about their chemistry when Seymour finally persuades Audrey to realize that he's not just the nice guy with the big flytrap. Trax's "Dentist!" is equally fine, and as always is a a major audience favorite.

Slagle deserves kudos not just for direction but for set design. While the show doesn't call for an elaborate set, there are nice touches here in Mushnik's shop, down to props, where the newly busy store installs multiple, multi-colored phones that make a cheery contrast to the Skid Row surroundings.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is both comic and frightening. Certainly it spoofs apocalyptic horror movies, both alien invasion and apocalyptic. The dark, gloomy slum setting definitely enhances that. But it's also tragic, which is equally frightening, as from the second Seymour discovers the real secret of Audrey II, his rise and fall can be predicted with virtual certainty. He's not vain, not pompous, not greedy, and the audience desperately desires his success, perhaps more than he does. But the ending is something that only the people directly involved with Audrey II can't see coming. Despite its claims, you know that Audrey II has planned it all along. Seymour, darling... never trust a talking flytrap.

LITTLE SHOP is at the Little Theatre through the 17th. It's a joy, and always a fun show for children who aren't easily scared. Or for big children. Visit Hanoverlittletheatre.com for more information. Coming in July, WEEKEND COMEDY.

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