Acorn

Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Arts and Leisure

Media Credit: Christa Van Eerde

Putting on a production of "Little Shop of Horrors" is a tall order, but the Theatre department delivered an impressive show that was both charming and playful.

The play tells the story of Seymour, a failing botanist on Skid Row who becomes an overnight success when he stumbles on an unusual plant. This plant, which he names Audrey II, brings him and his boss's flower business great success. By the end of the play, Seymour is torn between choosing material success or love with his co-worker, Audrey.

The production begins as four Skid Row beggars come on stage by first going through the audience. The beggars ask the audience for money and drinks. This was wonderfully imaginative and drew the crowd into the performance. The stellar cast kept the audience engaged.

Drew Cranisky ('09), who played Seymour, was wonderful in his role as the straight-laced botanist. His style may have been on the dorky side, but his singing voice reflected his character's inner beauty. His melodic musings added sincerity to his character while giving him an endearing quality.

Mushnik, played by Graig Churchill ('10), is Seymour's older boss and the owner of the flower shop. Churchill did a great job portraying his character's age believably. During a duet with Cranisky, he was lively and entertaining, yet showed his age through his persistent backache.

Elena Adcock ('11) plays Audrey, Seymour's love interest. She has low self-esteem and a boyfriend who physically abuses her. Audrey longs for the day when she will leave Skid Row and live "somewhere green." Adcock played the highs and lows of her character's emotional state with great skill. She was by turns skittish and engaging, with a spectacular voice that charmed the audience

Drew Murtaugh ('11) played Orin, Audrey's abusive boyfriend. He's the stereotypical bad boy with a twist, complete with leather jacket, motorcycle and a degree in dentistry. It was clear that Murtaugh had fun playing his character. He gave Orin a flair that made him likeable, but still sinister enough to be plant food-worthy.

The chorus girls worked very well as a team. Crystal, played by Michelle Backes ('09), Ronnette, played by Christina Kosyla ('11) and Chiffon, played by Emily Weitzel ('08) lent their sultry voices and sass to the performance. Their expertly coordinated moves and skillful harmonies made them "The Dream Girls" with a street edge. Throughout the show, they put in their two cents and charged more than that to anyone who wanted to track down Seymour.

Another great team were the two girls who brought Audrey II to life, Helen O'Rourke ('09) and Becca Schlossberg ('09). O'Rourke provided the tempting voice while Schlossberg expertly maneuvered the plant. The multi-colored plant puppet was also impressive. By the end of the play, it had grown to take up nearly half of Mushnik's flower shop.

With so much talent, it would have been easy for some of the actors to upstage others. However, this play was well-balanced. Everyone spent some time in the spotlight. Even the four beggars at the start of the show, played by Virginia Bosch ('09), Addie Horan ('10), Brent Rivers ('11) and Michael Yodice ('11), had a chance to showcase their natural acting and singing talents. They all appeared later in the play as people who wanted to promote Seymour and Audrey II. They did a wonderful job convincing the botanist to take offers he was not so sure he wanted.

There were a great number of freshman involved in "Little Shop of Horrors" and they all gave noteworthy performances. The Theatre Department has many great productions ahead of it with these rising stars.

This was a phenomenal production. Every cast member played his or her role, no matter how great or small, with energy and natural ability. Coupled with a spectacular set, complete with a rotating centerpiece, great lighting and wonderful costumes, the cast and crew came together to create a superb team effort.

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