Little Shop gets an A (in my book)

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 11:40am

Just saw Little Shop last night. My expectations were somewhat low after some of the reviews from other members here on the board (although several of my friends who have seen it raved). I am happy to report I thought the show was fantastic and I had a great night out at the theater.
I don't know if Kerry Butler has changed her take on Audrey since previews started (maybe she's reading these boards) but I felt she brought a lot of heart to Audrey. I loved her Somewhere That's Green. Sure, it starts off being played for laughs, but by the end of the song she really sells it. In fact, she even cried. Very sweet. I'm also happy to say I didn't see shades of Penny in her performance. I thought her mannerisms were completely different and she made Audrey a seperate character from Penny. If anything, I felt she was trying to copy Ellen Greene at points, but for the most part I thought she made the character her own.
Hunter Foster was fine as Seymour. I prefer Rick Moranis' more sensitive take on the role in the movie (I never saw it off-broadway so I can't compare). I thought there were times when he came off more like a psychotic hunter (no pun intended). But, for the most part I enjoyed his performance.
The supporting cast is fantastic all around. I never used to be a fan of Doug Sills but he changed my mind after seeing him last night. I loved his rendition of "Dentist". He played a sicko-sadist very well indeed. I also really liked his "Now (it's just the gas)" which is a song I always felt fell flat in other poductions of the show I have seen.
And the urchins!! Loved them!! All three of them are making their broadway debut, and you can almost feel their excitement about being on a broadway stage.
I also really enjoyed the set design, and lighting. I especially like the lightening effects etc.
And let's not forget Audrey II. The plant delivers on every level. Kudos to the puppeteers and designers who gave Audrey II the ablity to express emotion just by moving it's big plant head around. And when the plant makes it out into the audience at the end...it's spectacular.
I really haven't enjoyed a show this much in a while. And since we have been talking about audience reaction so much recently..I have to say that the audience was roaring with approval last night. In fact, I haven't heard that much laughter and applause since I saw The Producers. And no...people were not running in line to get tix again after the show...but I did notice a line of people filling out pre-order forms for the soundtrack. They need to get a credit card machine in there though...I wanted to buy something but they said they had no phone line to take credit cards.
Well...I would like to write more..about the others in the supporting cast, choreography etc..but I actually have work to do now.
Ciao! Updated On: 9/30/03 at 11:40 AM

[erniesgirl96]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 11:43am

I also loved Little Shop. I have always been a fan of Douglas Sills, and his performance in Little Shop didn't let me down. I guess that's why he's one of my favotite actors....

Posted: 9/30/03 at 12:08pm

Douglas was very good in Scarlett Pimpernel.

Posted: 9/30/03 at 12:10pm

Al....??

Where's Al Dente?

Is he ill?

Al?

Are you there?

Paging Al Dente?

Posted: 9/30/03 at 12:41pm

Now Now, He may not be a shill. He has been a member since May.

Or Maybe not....

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 12:46pm

A shill! I thought I've been around long enough not to be accused of that! Although I guess I've been called worse.

Posted: 9/30/03 at 12:50pm

It was a joke Erik I should have put a lol or a

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 1:06pm

Erik, I think your review is perfectly legitimate, and in my humble opinion, very well written. I am glad you enjoyed the show, as well did I. Just because you went to the show to have a good time, and didn't go in with an intention to critically scrutinize doesn't mean that your opinion is any less valid than anyone else's. Granted, I DO criticize and comment on performances and productions overall, but it is nice to just be able to appreciate and enjoy something for what it is. I agree with your comments for the most part, especially about Kerry's performance, and I loved the urchin girls as well! I even got to take a "pimp" picture with them after the show! Those girls were hot!

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 3:20pm

All of Donald Holder's work is amazing! I wish I could see this show.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:05pm

I remember some people saying there were problems with the sound...that the orchestra overpowered the voices. As of last night this seemed to be fixed.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:07pm

It's nice to finally see a thread about Little Shop that doesn't intail ripping the show or the actors to shreds. I saw little shop for the second time this past Saturday. There are some very noticeable differences in the show both in direction and characterization. I enjoyed it the first time and it was even better this time. People seemed more into there roles this time not that they weren't last time. But it was like they found how exactly what they want to bring to there parts and work them well. I was front row center this time so it's was easier seeing facial expressions and actually see Kerry in tears during both Some Where That's Green and Suddenly Seymour just makes your heart get involved in the otherwise comedic story line. I feel it's a Great show and That it is going to do well.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:10pm

Front row center eh? Did you get molested by the plant?

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:17pm

I'm many things but NOT a hypocrite. I said I was going to shut up until the reviews come out. When that happens, I'll feel free to revist this topic. Besides, I've (we've) all beat this horse senseless.

[Biggins]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:19pm

I agree but only if the "A" is for AWFUL!!! You know, I been comin' down hard on Sheekala but my man been tellin it like it is. This was a total ripoff.

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:20pm

WE BEAT IT SENSELESS?

WE?

as in WE??

LOL!!!!

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:21pm

I've yet to see LSOH, but I have ordered the revival cast album!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:23pm

Yes, as in the lockjawed British "we".

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:40pm

I ask you again,

WE??

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:56pm

Biggins....a rip off of what?

[sheekala]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 6:21pm

Bravo on a well written review, and yes, you can have fun at LSOH, I just wish it had something "more", and I think I said it before but during the summer I saw a wonderful production of the show at the Tropicana in Atlantic City of all places, and it had in many ways what I found lacking in this mounting, maybe that's why I am so "against" the current production. And this casino version was no "community theater knock-ff", the musical director did the same job on the original production and had a tight band and three Urchin's who were on fire..., AudreyII was built by Martin Robinson(who's in the Broadway AudreyII) and had an Audrey and Seymour that had amazing chemistry and never once did they stoop to cartoon level takes on the characters. So it might be still too clear in my head...just didn't feel any love between them in the current show, and if ya don't see Seymour's undying passion for Audrey, his actions don't amount to a hill o' plantfood.

[FFARLS]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 9:39am

Although I still will never know why Alice Ripley was fired, because Kerry cant even stay on key, I loved the show over all. The best for me was the three divas!! Especially the one who starts off "Downtown". Her energy and belt were amazing. I am just wondering how long they will hold out without loosing there voices. Training or not, no one can belt like that 8 times a week. And they only have 1 understudy for all three? That also shocked me.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 11:15am

Cheapness never prospers.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 12:13pm

Sheekala...
I somewhat agree with you about the chemistry between Audrey and Seymour in this production. But I think any feeling of lack of chemistry comes from Hunter's end. I think he chose to portray a more angry Seymour. To me he comes off as one of those people who's sick of his current situation and could go postal any minute. I didn't feel it was cartoonish...but like I said I prefer a more sympathetic Seymour like he's portrayed in the film.

[sheekala]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 4:11pm

Good point Erik and I agree with you, Hunter does carry a large load of the blame regarding the "chemistry" or lack of it, I think a "rageful" Seymour is wrong, and once you start out with that as an emotional skeleton for a character it's tough to redeem them. You might of really cleared up one of my "concerns" with LSOH. It's because of his "take" that I felt "Sudden Seymour" was void of feeling, nice notes but no feeling.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 9:27am

Yep Sheekala...we agree...well at least half agree. Hunter does change the tone of Suddenly Seymour..but I still think Kerry sings it with a lot of heart. In fact, I think it made me feel a little more for Audrey. Here's this girl who finally thinks she met this nice guy who is going to take care of her..but he's actualy a raging psychopath. Which no matter how sympathetic Seymour is played..he's still someone who is capable of chopping people into bits and feeding their insides to a man-eating plant.