by Mark G. Auerbach
The Berkshire Theatre Group has a fun-filled family-friendly production of the silly mock horror plant gone wild musical Little Shop of Horrors at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA. Director Ethan Heard, music director Rick Bertone (and a cool pit band) and
Little Shop of Horrors, 2016. Photo by Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware.
choreographer Parker Esse have fashioned a slick production with great sets by Reid Thompson, costumes by David Murin (his outfits for Audrey I are great) and lights by Oliver Wason. Mio Guberinic’s designs for Audrey II are botanically chic.
Little Shop of Horrors is based on the 1960 low-budget black comedy horror film by Roger Corman. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman turned the movie into a 1960’s-tinged rock musical, which premiered Off-Off Broadway, and then moved to Off-Broadway in 1982. It
Little Shop of Horrors, 2016. Photo by Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware.
became a cult hit, had a long New York run, moved to Broadway, and then went on to national tour. Frank Oz turned Little Shop of Horrors into a successful fim, and the show is frequently revived.
For those unfamiliar with the show, Seymour, a nerdy clerk (played by Stanley Bahorek) works in a skid row flower shop owned by Mushnik (Stephen DeRosa, direct from Goodspeed’s Anything Goes, where he got major laughs as Moonface Martin). Seymour has eyes for Audrey (Lindsay Nicole Chambers), who’s in an abusive relationship with a dentist (James Ludwig). Seymour has found an unusual plant, which he names Audrey II (Taurean Everett and Bryonha Parham. A trio of girls, a la The Supremes (Alia Hodge, Kay Trinidad, Jalise Wilson) comment on the action. Audrey II has a thing for human blood, and
Little Shop of Horrors, 2016. Photo by Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware.
well, there’s nothing vegan in her appetite for the other characters.
Standout performances for me were Lindsay Nicole Chambers, who gave a powerful rendition of the musical’s best known hit, “Somewhere That’s Green”; James Ludwig as the sadistic dentist, and Bryonna Parham as the voice of Audrey II–a dynamic sound who rocked the Colonial Theatre (and possibly the entire block of South Street). I found the trio, Alia Hodge, Kay Trinidad, and Jalise Wilson, delightful, as they performed Parker Esse’s swinging 60s stylized dance moves.
Little Shop of Horrors will be entertaining folks through July 23. It’s entertaining light summer fare with no ponderous message–a good formula for summer theatre.
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The Berkshire Theatre Group presents Little Shop of Horrors. Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman.. Music by Alan Menken. Directed by Ethan Heard. Music direction by Rick Bertone. Choreography by Parker Esse. Scenic design by Reid Thompson. Costume Design by David Murin. Lighting design by Oliver Wason. Sound Design by Tyler Keiffer. Audrey II design by Mio Guberinic. Through July 23. The Berkshire Theatre Group’s Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield, MA. For tickets: 413-997-4444 or www.berkshiretheatregroup.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
