Theater Review: 'Little Shop of Horrors' at Little Theatre

Photos by Chris Huestis at PhotoSynthesis

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Little Theatre of Manchester is serving up a production of “Little Shop of Horrors” at Cheney Hall through Feb. 18. The musical version of “Little Shop” is based on the film by Roger Corman. The show is a quirky, non-stop mixture of sci-fi horror comedy, love story, and rock musical that has delighted audiences for more than 30 years.

The musical features music by Alan Menken, with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. In the printed program, Little Theatre dramaturg David Garnes notes that Ashman and Menken were unknowns when they collaborated in 1981 for the original theatrical version. The dramaturg adds that since the movie version of the musical was released five years later, this “goofy, raucous, warm-hearted show” has been a staple of regional and community theater, and I have reviewed it more times than I can remember.

The Manchester production is directed by Jane Dillon-Cerosky, who made some memorable choices. The "Finale Ultimo: Don't Feed the Plants" was especially well-done, as was “The Meek Shall Inherit” in the second act. The curtain call, which rightly included the puppeteer for the Audrey II, reminded the audience that this small cast had worked hard to carry off the performance. Musical direction by Marc Sokolson made all of the wonderful musical numbers sound fantastic and choreography by Tracy Funke added much to the performance of the Street Urchins.

Ian Lynch-Passarelli gives a nebbishly appropriate performance as the hapless “Suddenly Seymour” Krelborn in his Little Theatre debut, with strong vocals. Emily Gant matches him note for note in her portrayal of Audrey in her debut with Little Theatre.

Randie Fierberg portrays Mrs. Mushnik, a role usually played as Mr. Mushnik. The gender-bent casting worked well.

Nate Strick of Bloomfield takes on the part of Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. in his Little Theatre debut, and gives it some unique comedic touches. The actor also carries off several other small male (and female) characters, each more comical than the last.

Sara Ballard sang the role of Crystal in her third show on this stage, Rebekah Curtis sang as Ronette in her second show at the venue and J’zeida Ortega covered the role of Chiffon in her third Little Theatre show. All three possess the vocal prowess needed for their numbers.

Rob MacPherson was responsible for the good lighting design, with Ronald Schallack in charge of the good sound. Shannon Gwozdz designed the costumes that evoked the early sixties.

Included in the orchestra pit were Sokolson on keyboard 1 and conducting, Nick Stanford on keyboard 2, Josh Rodis on guitar and Dan Volpe on drums.

The set designed by Shawn Procuniar was the best Mushnik (and Son) shop that I can remember seeing, with a rising front section and great details. The puppetry work of Matthew Leonard of Vernon was excellent for this, his first performance with this company. The strength of his work was not surprising because he has been a professional puppeteer for over 20 years. Chris Corrales provided the voice of the ever-growing, blood thirsty Audrey II puppet.

Cheney Hall was built in 1867. In program notes, I learned that Little Theatre of Manchester was founded in 1961 by people in the community to bring high-quality theater to the town and “to operate Cheney Hall, the oldest operating theater in Connecticut.” “Little Shop” by Little Theatre is presented in two acts with one intermission. And remember: “Don’t Feed the Plants!”

I was happy to attend a packed Sunday matinee with a “Golden Years Senior Citizen Grease” entourage. Due to popular demand, a performance has been added on Saturday at 2 p.m.

There will be an ASL-interpreted performance on Saturday at 2 p.m. For patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing, the theater will offer this opportunity free of charge. They only have a limited number of seats available in the designated area to ensure audience members can see the interpreters, and the sign-up deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. For more information on this show or any in the 2024 Season visit cheneyhall.org or call 860-647-9824.

Nancy Sasso Janis is the membership chair of the Connecticut Critics Circle (ctcritics.org.)