Just in time for Halloween, CenterStage brings the darkly comic (and really quite creepy) Little Shop of Horrors to the stage of the Jewish Community Center.
Led by artistic director John R. Leffert, the small but capable cast of this musical set in a 1950’s Skid Row flower shop sings and dances its way through a script in which a “strange and interesting plant” propels its caretaker, Seymour, to take some rather drastic action in the name of fame and fortune.
Guiding the audience through the twisted plot is an omniscient quartet of skillful singing narrators (Tamika Skaggs, Cierra Richmond, Tymika Prince and Katie Bowles).
Strong vocal performances are delivered by Lauren McCombs (Audrey) and Chris Bryant (Seymour), culminating in a powerful Act II duet.
Not to be forgotten is the main focus of the show, the ever-changing and demanding carnivorous plant, Audrey II (Rush Trowell). The progression as Audrey II morphs from a cute little seedling to something much more sadistic and sinister is sure to captivate audiences.
With brief amounts of profanity and some adult themes (Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. is not a nice guy) the show might not be suitable for young children.
But for the rest of us, a night out at CenterStage’s Little Shop of Horrors is a fine way to spend an evening.
Little Shop of Horrors opens tonight, Thursday, October 27 at 7:30 and runs through November 13. Tickets are $18 and can be reserved by calling (502) 459-0660. Rush tickets are available for some performances. CenterStage seating is first-come, first-served.
Image: Courtesy of CenterStage
