Most folks would probably know Little Shop of Horrors from the 1986 film, which was a musical-movie adaptation of the off-Broadway musical that was an adaptation of the 1960 film – whew, that was confusing. For those who are not familiar, Little Shop of Horrors follows the story of Seymour, a florist on Skid Row, whose discovery of a mysterious plant he names Audrey II after his crush, Audrey, brings newfound success to his struggling flower shop. However, as Audrey II has an insatiable appetite for human flesh, Seymour grapples with a moral dilemma: continue feeding the plant to maintain his prosperity, or find a way to stop its murderous rampage before it’s too late.
It tells the timeless tale of ambition and desire in a comedic and engaging manner, offering catchy rock tunes with darker undertones. Songs like Feed Me capture this essence, with Audrey II justifying murder to Seymour amid an irresistibly snappy beat. Director TJ Taylor’s iteration largely embraces this juxtaposition, preserving the essence of the original Little Shop of Horrors.
This production features a star-studded cast, featuring award-winning actor Andrew Marko as Seymour, powerhouse vocalist Vanessa Kee as Audrey, and founder of Honey Queen Production, Honey Gluttony, voicing Audrey II. TJ Taylor also takes on the role of Mr Mushnik – the very same role that initially propelled him into the world of musical theatre back in 2006.
The cast embodies their characters in the best way possible, with Kee nailing Audrey’s ditzy personality, right down to her ‘New Yawk’ accent that is reminiscent of Ellen Greene’s original portrayal; and Audrey II’s menacing and captivating presence shining through with Honey Gluttony’s immaculate voice acting and Melissa May Garcia’s skillful manipulation of the puppet. The grittiness of Skid Row can be felt through AJ Alingalan, Nurulhuda Hassan, and Marissa Vojodi’s performances as the street urchins, with the trio essentially selling Seymour as a product to the masses for more money. Their spirited performance during the opening song, Little Shop of Horrors, garnered enthusiastic cheers and thunderous applause from the audience, setting the tone for the rest of the show.
However, the biggest scene-stealer of the show has to be Benjamin Koh, who plays the demented dentist and Audrey’s abusive boyfriend, Orin. Koh’s performance as Orin is nothing short of stellar, balancing charisma and creepiness with such finesse that you can almost understand Audrey’s initial attraction to him. Additionally, Koh’s versatility also shines through as an ensemble member, most notably during The Meek Shall Inherit, where he seamlessly transitions between three distinct characters, ranging from a self-important television producer to a coy and flirtatious woman, eliciting uproarious laughter from the audience with each reappearance.
Due to each individual putting on amazing performances, it is unfortunate that Andrew Marko does not quite hit the mark as Seymour. While Marko perfectly captures Seymour’s meek self and starry-eyed wonder as he navigates his newfound success, the portrayal falls short in conveying the internal conflict as Seymour grapples with the weight of his actions. The lack of depth unfortunately contributes to a rushed depiction of the tragic ending, particularly in the confrontation scene between Seymour and Mr Mushnik. Taylor’s performance as Mr Mushnik adds unexpected depth and vulnerability to the character, highlighting a notable absence of malice in his confrontation with Seymour. This contrasts with Seymour’s actions, which come across as more mean-spirited than desperate, unlike the emotional intensity depicted in the 1986 movie adaptation.
Little Shop of Horrors also boasts fantastic costumes, props, and sets designed by Theresa Chan and Wong Chee Wai that fully immerse the audience in the performance. From Orin’s tearaway sleeves to the street urchins’ glitzy dresses, the costumes are truly a feast for the eyes. The dingy Skid Row is also brought to life, with a huge dumpster placed outside Mr Mushnik’s flower shop that reveals a trolley system when pulled open. The trolleys are a clever way of introducing locations in the world of Little Shop of Horrors that would appear for a short period of time, such as Orin’s dental clinic and the shop where Seymour purchased Audrey II. The puppet design for Audrey II is immaculate, evolving from a small and endearing potted plant into the iconic mean green mother from outer space. Its final form is visually striking, featuring exaggerated lips and subtle elements reminiscent of male genitalia, which adds a seductive and provocative element to its appearance.
Sing’theatre’s iteration of the tragicomic musical is fun and exciting despite its shortcomings, and the audience’s reaction was definitely a reflection of that with cheers, applause, and laughter after each song. The performance demonstrates a profound commitment to the art of musical theatre, bolstered by a talented cast, and stunning set and costume designs. Don’t miss out of Sing’theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors; venture into the gritty streets of Skid Row and witness the allure of the enigmatic Audrey II – just remember not to feed the plants.
Find out more about Little Shop of Horrors and purchase tickets here.
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