Little Shop of Horrors (PREVIEWS)

[Miles2Go2]

Was there Monday night. Great production! I don’t think I’ve actually seen the movies since it was in theaters so I was a little foggy on some of the details which made some of the events in the shows surprising which was a good thing. Lots of laughs. Everyone was great, but the standouts for me were Groff and Blanchard. Somehow the toned down Groff’s handsomeness (I guess it was the hat and glasses) and he totally embodied Seymour. Blanchard brought a vulnerability to her character. She acted it very well. I don’t have clear recollections of Greene’s singing, but I thought she did a lovely job with the songs. She brought vulnerability to the songs. Based on earlier reports, I think they must’ve lowered the songs because she didn’t seem to be straining to hit notes. Great puppetry as well.

I bought the magnet and window card. Very responsive audience. No cell phones going off or crinkling candy wrappers.

Stagedoor: most everyone came out except for a couple of the urchins. All of them signed my window card. I’d hoped I’d get to speak to Jonathan Groff at stagedoor and planned out the briefest way to say what I wanted to say.

So after the rest of the cast came out, he came out last. I was a few people back at the end of the barricades, but by time he got to us, people who’d met him left so I was able to get to the front and talk to him and tell him how much the HBO show Looking had meant to me and I started tearing up (I’m a “Patrick”; what are you?) and so he hugged me and then we talked a little. I told him how I’d missed seeing him in Hamilton because he was filming the Looking finale movie when I saw it. And I even told him about my failed attempt to get Looking renewed by having our fan club send glasses (because the show was called Looking; I know, lame) to HBO and I got so enamored I forgot to ask if I can have a picture with him but luckily he had stopped to do something with someone else and when I approached him and apologized for bothering him again, he said don’t be sorry and put his arm around me and we took a picture together. He also complimented my jacket.

What a great day it has been.

[JBC3]

Jonathan Gross can spit on me anytime, preferably as he sings to me while bringing me breakfast in bed.

[SweetLips22]

JBC3 said: "Jonathan Gross can spit on me anytime, preferably as he sings to me while bringing me breakfast in bed."

.....after you'd hung out the sheets to dry......

[haterobics]

Miles2Go2 said: "What a great day it has been."

He's always been ridiculously approachable and nice. I once had him sign an Off-Broadway Hamilton Window card at the Hamilton stage door, and he was the last one out, so I started walking to the subway afterward, and we realized we were both walking toward the subway, so he came up next to and continued talking to me the whole way until we got to our different trains. And this was during the height of Hamiltonmania...

[steven22]

I met Groff at Spring Awakening back in the day. And then after a performance of American Idiot when he was visiting JGJ. He's such a sweet and kind guy. A true class act

[Miles2Go2]

Such a lovely guy, inside and out.

[DramaTeach]

Groff is one of the nicest celebs I’ve ever met. Have spoken to him a few times and he actually focuses in on the conversation. I love that he doesn’t have social media and seems a little more old-school. He’s smart because it leaves an air of mystery around him that keeps fans interested. A real talent and a really nice guy.

[haterobics]

Miles2Go2 said: "Such a lovely guy, inside and out."

I've only ever been outside of him. But I'll take your word for it...

[Mike Barrett]

Well I'm 100% stage dooming for this, not surprised to hear Groff is kind but he seems incredibly normal and approachable. Not derailing the thread, but Ive met Nick Robinson in person recently at a party setting, another very approachable, chill, down to earth guy. When he's in TKAM I recommend saying hi! 

[DoTheDood]

Miles2Go2 said: "Such a lovely guy, inside and out. "

I love your new icon btw, fits perfectly with you recapping the show. So heartwarming.

[RWPrincess]

Miles, love your new profile picture! I didn't stage door this last week and now I kind of regret it. A friend of mine also walked by looking for me and told me a couple days later. 

[patrickj88]

Have to agree with all the Groff "love". He is a true class act.  He is always kind and appreciative of his fans and always takes the time to say hello, take a picture, sign an autograph. People should not expect actors to always do this, but it really makes a difference when someone take a little time out of their day to show their appreciation to people who respect and admire their work no matter how BIG they become.

[theatregoer3]

I feel like there’s a direct link between JG’s lack of social media and his ability to be so warm to his fans. He doesn’t have to do it all day every day. So when it happens, it’s a pleasure. Just a thought.

[Melissa25]

Jonathan Groff Is a Seymour at Heart

[ACL2006]

Is there a full cast list somewhere? Their website doesn't list it yet(odd?). Are there understudies & swings?

[the.hard.part]

ACL2006 said: "Is there a full cast list somewhere? Their website doesn't list it yet(odd?). Are there understudies & swings?"

For Seymour and Orin & Others: Chris Dean

For Orin & Others: Teddy Yudain

For Audrey: Chelsea Turbine

For Mushnik: Stephen Berger

For the voice of Audrey II: Salome Smith

For Ronette, Crystal, and Chiffon: Kris Roberts

 

I would love to see the female understudy for voice of Audrey II!

[SouthernCakes]

I saw the cast during rehearsals, had an audition next door and Groff was very sweet. And Michael Mayer... seemed like Michael Mayer haha

[LightsOut90]

saw this tonight and wow what a blast, except for one real sore spot, Tammy just can not hit some of those notes and it was rough to watch, loved the new arrangements for some numbers and the Urchins were PHENOMINAL that said one of the best shows on 2019, easily. 

[A Director]

SweetLips22 said: "JBC3 said: "Jonathan Gross can spit on me anytime, preferably as he sings to me while bringing me breakfast in bed."

.....after you'd hung out the sheets to dry......"

In your dreams sweetie!

 

[SweetLips22]

A Director said: "SweetLips22 said: "JBC3 said: "Jonathan Gross can spit on me anytime, preferably as he sings to me while bringing me breakfast in bed."

.....after you'd hung out the sheets to dry......"

In your dreams sweetie!

?

 

[Miles2Go2]

Not sure if this has been posted, but a great article and interview:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/theater/jonathan-groff-little-shop-of-horrors.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

[BarnabyTucker]

What a blast! It’s just so awesome to see them bringing the show back to a small, off-Broadway theatre. Four piece band and mugging but "played-for-truth" performances that are reflection of a bunch of theatre nerds living out their Little Shop fantasies. The whole thing feels like Broadway and LA pros playing dress up and Christian Borle walks away with the show. Also, I'll have to offer a dissenting opinion on Tammy Blanchard: I thought she offered a sympathetic Audrey I could root for, though she certainly doesn't have Eleen Greene's vocal chops.

Strange enough, my only conceivable gripe was with the puppetry.

The two full sized Audrey Two puppets had too much bulk to them and the mouths were sculpted weird. Like Audrey II’s usually have a curved lip that expresses a lot of character without actually being articulated. Sort of like Disney character masks at the parks. I also couldn’t tell if the puppeteers were struggling or not to actually maneuver the folds up and down because it so awkwardly lifted and slammed shut almost like it was mechanical

They also didn’t take advantage of articulating any of the vines or appendages, and when the plant grabs Audrey, it’s just a strobe and her grabbing the vines herself. Groff was the best puppeteer of all though! He operated the little one during “Ya Never Know” and animated that thing beautifully

Finally, it was deeply moving to read Howard Ashman's bio in the Playbill and to have also read the lead producer's relationship to the AIDS epidemic. Howard Ashman deserved nothing less than this production.

 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Can't wait to see this tomorrow! Do any of you know if they stage door after the matinee?

[flyingfan]

They didn't stage door for a saturday matinee two weeks ago.

[schubox]

Just got out of the matinee, made a special one day trip just to see this and it did not disappoint. I have such a great time