Seymour then realizes the plant needs blood to survive. It grows and so does the popularity of the flower shop with it until Mushnik realizes the success of the shop depends on Seymour and the plant. So Mushnik adopts Seymour.
Orin Scrivello is Audry's abusive boyfriend. He is a leather-clad sadistic motorcyclist. He enjoys bringing pain to others-he is a dentist. He provides the first full meal for Audrey II.
This strange plot is humorously and musically woven into the play and it works. The music is generally light rock oriented and performed by a good pit orchestra led by Kelly Lane. Chiffon, Crystal and Ronnette have no more than superficial parts as characters in the play but are the underbelly of the music. The three young ladies (Emily Dillson, Aretha Burton and Kelly Grady) provided a great blend of voices and a pleasant visual side affect to many of the songs.
Of the three leads, Wally Hinds, who is also the company's artistic director, does a good job as the penny-pinching Mushnik and M. Reed Higgins is perfect as the groveling Seymour. Lora Jacobs had the best voice of the three and overplayed her part just the right amount.
I particularly liked Jason Meinhardt who as Orin, wino, customer, Bernstein, Luce, Snip and Patrick Martin rambled through his parts like a pro. As Orin he was the embodiment of evil in a lighthearted funny way. In his number, "Now (It's just the gas)" he was a gas. (I would like to hear him sing something more substantial.)
The rest of the cast, Patrick Hill, Ben Coffee-great animation on Audrey II-, Lani Brooks-could she ‘pop' that gum- and Jordan Prince helped complete the show. And yes, there was Kathy Manning (the Bag Lady) who I thought had wandered in off of Holcombe Bridge Road.
The musical director, Spencer G. Stephans and director, Jerry Harlow kept the entire show under control. The set design deserves special mention too (Wally Hinds).
All in all a delightful experience!
Kudzu Playhouse presents "Little Shop of Horrors"
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman.
Music by Alan Menkin, based on a film by Roger Corman.
Screenplay by Charles Griffin
For Reservations call 779-594-1020 or http://www.kudzuplayhouse.org/
March 14th to April 13th
Friday and Saturdays 8 p.m.; Sundays March 16, 23, 30, April 6 and 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Fri/Sat $18 adults; Seniors $16, Sun $14 and $12
