[NEohioPAL] Berko review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (BECK)

[Roy Berko]

‘LITTLE SHOP
OF HORRORS’ okay but not EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL’ 
Roy Berko
 
(Member,
American Theatre Critics Association)
 
--THE TIMES
NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain
County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times  
 
--COOLCLEVELAND.COM—
 
Several weeks
ago ‘EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL’ opened at Beck Center. My capsule judgement of the
show stated:  “If you want to go to
the theatre and have a great old time and escape from reality, see ‘EVIL DEAD
THE MUSICAL.”    
My view
wasn’t alone…the show has become a cult hit with viewers returning again and
again.  Its run has been extended
once again.  (For ticket info and
dates call 216-521-2540.)
 
I wish
I could have the same enthusiasm for Beck’s present production, ‘LITTLE SHOP OF
HORRORS,’ but I can’t.  First, in
spite of the show having won several awards, I don’t like the script.   It just isn’t as far-out as it
could be considering the creative concept.  Second, the music, though at times delightful, is not of
consistent quality.  The history of
the show proves this.  The original
cast album omits the songs "Call Back in the Morning", and
"Somewhere That's Green" (reprise), and only had abridged versions of
"Now (It's Just the Gas)," "Mushnik and Son," and "The
Meek Shall Inherit."  “Call
Back” isn’t even in Beck’s production.  This tinkering with a show, after it has opened, doesn’t happen in a
well scored show. 
‘LITTLE
SHOP OF HORRORS’ is a rock doo-wop
musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a
hapless and geeky florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human
blood.  As the plant demands (yes,
it talks) more and more blood, the plot thickens.
The
musical, which is based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy film of the
same title, premiered on May 6, 1982 in an off-Broadway theatre, and never moved
uptown.  It closed on November 1,
1987, after 2,209 performances, making it one of the longest running
off-Broadway shows.
I saw
the show in its off-Broadway run and wasn’t overly impressed.  Four or five additional viewings in
various venues still hasn’t made me a fan.  
My
evaluation of the Beck production must be tempered by the fact that I saw a
dress rehearsal and not a full-fledged production.  What I saw was pleasant enough, with a promise for
improvement when the cast settles in and has audience reaction
experiences.  
Director
William Roudebush has appropriately pushed for farce.  Again, as the cast gets comfortable with the material, I
assume they will totally let loose and just play for fun, which is what the
concept requires.
Tim
Allen plays Seymour, the “conceiver” of Audrey II, the blood devouring
plant.  As he admits in the
program, he is a natural nerd and a socially inept romantic.  He, of very skinny body, awkward gait,
and thin voice, is perfect for the role.  Meg Maley, who plays Audrey, the stereotypical dumb blond, looks the
role, but was often difficult to hear in her vocals and the screeching speaking
wears on the nerves at times.   Her walk is “Judy Holliday” perfect.  Connor O’Brien, Audrey’s dentist boyfriend, is not snarly
enough as a sadistic abuser.  The
Urchins, a doo-wop vocal trio consisting of Katrice Monee Headd, Tonya Broach
and Taresa Willingham, are talented and fun.  Their versions of the “Prologue/Little Shop of Horrors” set
a nice opening tone.  I would have
liked a more commanding playfulness from Darryl Lewis, the voice of Audrey
II.  
Larry
Goodpaster’s musical direction and Michael Metcalf’s choreography were
fine.  After the show runs for a
while maybe the set moving crew will master the intricacies of Don McBride’s
scenery.  During the preview, they
had a lot of trouble getting the pieces moved in time for the next scene.  No credit was given for who created
Audrey II, but whoever did deserves a special round of applause.
Is it
youth friendly?   My 13
year-old grandson Alex, the “Kid Reviewer,” was not overly enthusiastic.  He didn’t think there was enough fun to
hold a tween’s attention, but did recognize that things could improve as, “we
only saw a rehearsal and you can’t expect it to be perfect.”  His remarks concluded with, “This was
not my favorite show.”
CAPSULE
JUDGEMENT:  ‘LITTLE SHOP OF
HORRORS’ is not a great script.  From my preview viewing perspective, it is getting an acceptable
production at Beck.Beck’s production runs through August 2.  For ‘ticket information call 216-521-2540.  

 Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2009, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)