Cayman Drama Society’s latest production, Little Shop of Horrors, is a boon to those wanting a fast-paced and humorous escape into the world of musical theatre. A sure-fire hit set to enjoy a successful run up until 12 December, it’s a show that makes for a great outing for families and friends wanting to experience the thrill and the close-enough-to-touch action of live theatre.
The two act rock musical – which weaves an unlikely romance, with alien invasion, doo-wop horrid horticulture and a surprising twist in its tale – is bound to hit several buttons with multi-generational audiences. It is a show that commends itself to audiences with its small but memorable ensemble cast, its catchy and easy to memorise songs and its strong roles for both male and female characters.
The production, directed by Sheree Ebanks, is a subtle blend of experienced CDS actors like Peter Kosa (Mr. Mushkin), Neil Rooney (Customer #1/voice of Audrey II), Rory Mann (Seymour) and Martin Tedd (Wino#2/Patrick Martin/Skip Snip), as well as several younger actors, including the Greek chorus-like doo-wop trio of Melanie Ebanks, Isabella Rooney and Teri Quappe; Cory Moore (Audrey 11 puppeteer), and a few relative newcomers: Kristina Horacek (Audrey), Valerie Tzuker in her debut performance (Bag Lady/Mrs. Luce) and Tamara Bryan (Customer #2). For Dominic Wheaton the production represents his return to the stage after an absence of several years.
Little Shop of Horrors, as well as being an easy to follow production that provides laugh after laugh, is also greatly assisted by its live musical accompaniment provided by a wealth of talent found in Glen Inanga (musical director), Chuck Quappe, Barrie Quappe and Chris Bowring.
For a play that has few major scene changes, the action is riveting – helped by solid dialogue, good set design, subtle lighting, strong costumes and some rousing lyrics.
The cult musical gives the audience plenty to sing along to, most memorably Skid Row (Downtown) belted out by the deft and hair-raising vocals of the doo-wop trio; Somewhere That’s Green – sung with such conviction and longing by Kristina Horacek as Audrey, who wants nothing but a better life; Dentist sung by Dominic Wheaton, who imbues the character with enough sadistic spite to have the audience cringing in their seats whenever he’s on stage; and of course Feed Me, which showcases the titanic vocal range of Mr. Rooney, who alternately croons and snarls in a way that would have stronger men than Seymour quaking in their boots.
Though its nearly impossible to mark out any one actor for particular praise, as this was in essence a stunningly executed ensemble piece, hats off to Rory Mann who makes the role of long-suffering assistant florist at the hands of Mr. Mushnik, the Denist and ultimately Audrey II, his own. The audience sees his character develop throughout the play and cheers him on through every torturous twist and turn of his bittersweet transformation.
His leading lady, Ms Horacek, also lights up the stage in her role as the long- suffering Audrey. No stranger to musical theatre, the actress is completely convincing as the sweet but pathetic heroine of the piece – at turns winsome and heartbreakingly earnest. Both leads have strong voices that lift their acting to a higher dimension and their on-stage chemistry is electrifying.
Mr. Wheaton, cast as the pain-loving dentist, every patient’s worst nightmare, plays with gusto and an edgy-burlesque humour, which has the audience cringing and laughing at turns.
Credit must also go to the unsung heroes of any great show: the production crew. Headed up by Sheree Ebanks (director), Mary Ann Kosa (producer), Glen Inanga (musical director), Tracy Moore (technical director), Kelly Rooney (stage manager) and Anita Gough (choreographer). Too many to list, the back stage crew know who they are and must surely have also enjoyed the standing ovation and clamourous applause that the show earned on opening night.
The set is also worth mentioning. It was designed by Tracy Moore, Neil Rooney and Sheree Ebanks, and was one of the most complicated sets ever made at the Playhouse.
As with many volunteer theatre productions, this production of Little Shop of Horrors benefits from the participation of several families such as the Quappes, the Rooneys, the Ebankses, the Kosas, the Godfreys and the Moores.
If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, buy them: take along a group and enjoy amateur dramatic theatre at its most electrifying and diabolically comedic best.
For show schedules and ticket prices call the CDS Box office at 949-5054 or visit www.cds.ky
Related Videos
