The Rep’s ‘Little Store of Horrors’ is sweet, clear, gory enjoyable

Matthew Sewell Pictures

What’s cooking on the Arkansas Repertory Theatre nowadays?

One half botany, two elements science fiction, three elements homicide thriller and a beneficiant splash of doo-wop. Did I miss something? Maybe a large carnivorous plant with all of the perspective and sass of your favourite drag performer?

Combine properly and also you’ve bought The Rep’s excellent present manufacturing, the traditional darkish comedy musical “Little Store Of Horrors,” now enjoying by the tip of April. The efficiency is fast-paced, intelligent and hilarious, with the right mixture of gore and showmanship to maintain an viewers enthralled.  

This musical is loosely based mostly on a low finances movie from the Nineteen Sixties (“The Little Store Of Horrors”) and debuted off-off Broadway in 1982 with music by Alan Menken and e-book by Howard Ashman. It subsequently moved up and have become probably the most profitable off-Broadway musical in historical past, spawning a Hollywood movie model in 1986 starring such stars as Steve Martin and Rick Moranis.  

“Little Store” facilities on an unsuccessful floral store on New York Metropolis’s Skid Row, the place Mr. Mushnik (Buzz Roddy) employs each the bespectacled and bumbling Seymour (Greg Laucella) and the stunning however unlucky-in-love Audrey (Tara Tagliaferro), with whom Seymour is shyly smitten. Mr. Mushnik is on the verge of closing his store completely when Seymour reveals him an attention-grabbing and weird plant he discovered throughout a latest photo voltaic eclipse and has named “Audrey II.” As soon as the unique plant is displayed prominently within the retailer window and phrase will get round, the store turns into wildly profitable.  

Nonetheless, Seymour quickly learns that the plant can solely survive on human blood. At first, he feeds it drops from his personal fingers. As Audrey II grows and its starvation will increase, it begins to talk, making lavish guarantees of fame, fortune and romantic bliss with Audrey. In return, it calls for to be fed human flesh. Seymour’s dilemma is stark:  Ought to he ignore Audrey II and stay a penniless loner or feed it people and get every little thing he ever wished?

Darkish? Certain sufficient. But it surely’s laborious to be too horrified when the story is skillfully and soulfully sung by a solid of performers deftly alternating between pathos, gore, comedy and a craving for love and escape from Skid Row. A Greek chorus-like group of streetwise women (the implausible trio of Alexis Richelle, Brianna East and Claire Fossey) present vigorous narration all through, propelling us by the story of Seymour’s ugly predicament and Audrey’s goals of a greater life.

Laucella’s Seymour and Tagliaferro’s Audrey are glorious protagonists who completely seize the will for one thing out of attain, whether or not that be love or fame. Tagliaferro particularly shines on the tearfully comical “Someplace That’s Inexperienced” whereas each sparkle on the duet, “Instantly, Seymour,” as newfound love emerges amidst the carnage. We’re undoubtedly and unabashedly rooting for these two loopy youngsters.

Stephen B. Thornton

Nonetheless, the unmistakable star of the present is David LaMarr, who — in a twist for followers of earlier “Little Store” productions — brings the Audrey II character to life and performs it not as a big puppet however quite as a singing, dancing humanoid utilizing the whole stage. LaMarr’s efficiency is that of a bawdy, sinister, beseeching and glittery Rasputin in plant kind, convincing Seymour to shed his morals and homicide for revenue. I particularly loved their rendition of the “Feed Me (Git it)” duet with Seymour, the place the murderous plant’s true colours emerge and its evil proposal is specified by stark rock ’n’ roll element. LaMarr’s Audrey II performs their function with excessive vitality and frequent sly winks to the viewers as if we’re all in on each the joke and the conspiracy.  

Particular kudos to Director Stephanie Klemons for going out on a limb and releasing Audrey II from its conventional presentation. On this reviewer’s opinion, the experimental alternative labored exceedingly properly and actually upped the motion in a method that was rather less campy and much more thrilling. Good theater is usually about taking possibilities, and I preferred seeing that rule utilized to such an integral a part of a traditional musical.

For fogeys involved about whether or not the subject material will frighten their kids, fret not. Tweens aplenty had been current throughout my go to to the manufacturing and had been rapt all through. The leisure worth is excessive and the mix of upbeat music and the dazzling Audrey II assist to maintain spirits lifted.  

Get right down to The Rep and see “Little Store Of Horrors” earlier than the run ends. It’s enjoyable, quirky and has simply the correct quantity of scary spice added to the deal with.

Matthew Sewell Pictures

“Little Store of Horrors” performs on the Arkansas Repertory Theatre by April 30 and tickets vary from $30-$65. Tickets may be bought here.

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