A well-cultivated collaboration between composer Alan Menken and lyricist-writer Howard Ashman has become a flowering perennial since sprouting off-Broadway in 1982 and planting itself on Broadway in 2003. The thriving show in question is “Little Shop of Horrors” – now in a very leafy and healthy revival at the Greater Boston Stage Company. Director Ilana Ransom Toeplitz is capturing this New York Drama Critics Circle award-winner with the kind of green thumb that gives full attention to both its light and darker facets.
As audience members enter the Stoneham Theater, Erik D. Diaz’s stage-wide set design makes it immediately clear that they are visiting the Mushnik Flower Shop on Skid Row, with multi-windowed buildings on either side. While shopworker Seymour attends to flowers at the Jewish shop owners’ struggling place of business, a trio of young African-American women named Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronnette (meant to recall the doo-wop girl groups of the same name) serve as a kind of modern Greek chorus, commenting in word and song about the evolving fortunes of the serious botanist. Those fortunes depend on a “strange and interesting plant” that Seymour names Audrey II in honor of his sweet coworker of the same name.
Seymour soon discovers that Audrey II actually thrives and grows on human blood. The initially nerdy and reserved botanist finds himself caught up in a kind of Faustian deal in which the Devil-like plant promises him fame and fortune in return for a steady supply of human blood and flesh. If the musical’s plot sounds like a horror story, the clever book and the snappy score balance the show’s scarier moments with humor and the developing dreams of Seymour and Audrey.
Running through the humorous passages are Jewish references – for example, Mushnik calling a family named the Shivas his most frequent customers (alluding to the Jewish period of mourning) and Seymour speaking of grabbing a bite at a restaurant called Shmendrik’s (Yiddish for a stupid person). Another amusing area involves Audrey’s unusual fashion choices, including a leopard-designed dress – kudos to costumer Chelsea Kerl. Mr. Mushnik dons a sharp double-breasted suit as customers flock to his shop to see Audrey II. Once Audrey’s abusive dentist boyfriend mysteriously disappears, Seymour strongly avows his feelings for Audrey and determines to fulfill her dreams of domestic bliss in the suburbs.
Director Toeplitz keeps this rich mixture of science fiction-like horror and campy romance richly green from start to finish. Stephen Markarian captures all of Seymour’s initial naivete and his growing interest in success, as well as romancing Audrey. Kayla Shimizu has all of Audrey’s sincerity and vulnerability. Markarian and Shimizu harmonize as effectively as their characters – notably on the catchy “Suddenly, Seymour.” Bryan Miner successfully combines Mushnik’s tougher moments and his paternal affection for Seymour – especially as he shakes a la Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” in adopting him – credit to choreographer Chris Shin.
Best of all is Jared Troilo as laughing gas-addicted dentist Orin. The gifted and versatile actor also smoothly takes on a variety of identities, including television and Life magazine executives seeking to establish contracts with the now-famous Seymour. Anthony Pires Jr. brings Audrey II to properly scary life – particularly in demanding that Seymour feed her. Sydney T. Grant moves Audrey II very expressively with her puppetry. Cortlandt Barrett, Becky Bass, and Pearl Scott are very exuberant throughout as the choral trio.
“Little Shop of Horrors” may be the grand finale of Greater Boston Stage Company’s 25th season, but the company’s varied charms promise as much ongoing growth as Audrey II’s cuttings. Θ
“Little Shop of Horrors” runs through June 29 at the Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main St., Stoneham. For tickets, visit greaterbostonstage.org.
