Watch out! Because here comes the singing, smack talking, and man eating Venus flytrap called “Audrey II” and it's coming to take over an auditorium near you in Robert E. Lee’s production of "Little Shop of Horrors."
The musical was written by Howard Ashman and composed by Alan Menken, but is based of the film written by Roger Corman. The story tells the sad tale of an orphan named Seymour who works in a run-down flower shop on the wrong side of town, where he finds his true love Audrey. Seymour bought an exotic plant and named it Audrey 2, but this plant was no ordinary flytrap, but bloodthirsty for human blood. As it grew, so did the shops popularity, and the number of mysterious disappearances.
Robert E. Lee wowed their audience with their over-the-top characters and singing. They kept in character even while they biked through the audience looking for their lost puppy or watching the show right along with us while offering popcorn to the audience. They kept the audience riveted the entire show through their dancing, singing and kooky characters.
Seymour was played by Spencer Ramirez, who brought to the role the awkwardness of a teenager in love with his co-worker Audrey. Audrey, played by Jasmine Coles, had the bruises and the spirit of an abused woman, but a love of the suburbs that would have made Betty Crocker proud. During their song “Suddenly Seymour” they brought raw emotion to the stage that stunned the audience after their climatic kiss.
Orin Scrivello (Patrick Rooney) had the aura of Roger Waters and the voice to match. Between his great character and singing its amazing he didn’t laugh the audience to death instead of himself. Mr. Mushnik had great characterization and made the audience chuckle with his crazy antics and line delivery.
The sets and props were realistic down to the cracks in the walls and Audrey 2’s wonderful movements. The pit band helped make the music come alive but over powered the singers every once in a while. All the aspects of the show came together in the end and made it a great performance.
Robert E. Lee’s "Little Shop of Horrors" had you thinking twice before buying exotic plants while laughing at a wonderful production filled with dancing, singing, and a little world domination one auditorium at a time.