Reviews: Little Shop of Horrors at Wakefield High School
Written by Liza Plis of Falls Church High School
In the unlikely setting of a struggling flower shop, Wakefield High School's Little Shop of Horrors blooms into a deliciously dark spectacle that's rooted in an absolutely insatiable energy. One can't help but lean into the zaniness of this production, stepping just close enough to be lured into the jaws of Audrey II herself.
Long before the first "Feed me!" echoed through Wakefield's auditorium, Little Shop of Horrors had already ensnared the hearts of audiences worldwide. The idea originally sprouted from a 1960s comedy film of the same title. This movie, directed by Roger Corman, quickly amassed a cult-following despite being shot on a shoestring budget. The musical debuted on stage in 1982 with music by Alan Menken and book by Howard Ashman, and has enjoyed both a Broadway and West End revival since then. Through catchy doo-wop and Motown tunes, the musical tells the story of meek shop assistant Seymour Krelborn and the fatal bargains he cuts with a carnivorous plant determined to take over the world. As the story unfurls its thorny vines, the characters find themselves tangled in a web of temptation, fame, and unchecked ambition.
The first snap of Audrey II's jaws comes with August Carr's portrayal of Seymour Krelborn, who's awkward earnestness is palpable even from off-stage. These expert choices on Carr's part make it all the more difficult for the audience to wrestle with reconciling Seymour's sweet nature with his terrible actions. One moment Carr dashes longing gazes at the subject of their infatuation, local Skid Row sweetheart Audrey, while in the next moment shooting steely looks at their murder victims. This moral tension adds an entirely new and welcome dimension to the musical. As the vines tighten, Ava Spera as Audrey shows off her technical mastery by delivering soaring vocals during "Somewhere That's Green." She maintains the vulnerability in her voice while reciting hilarious lines, compelling the audience to roaring laughter and the heart-breaking realization that Audrey truly can't dream of more than the domesticity of a "disposal in the sink." Finally, the audience is swallowed whole by the manic energy of Syd DeWitt as Orin Scrivello, whose magnetic menace electrifies every scene he's in. His performance, injected with a healthy dose of unhinged bravado, ensures that by the time the jaws slam shut, escape is not only futile—it's entirely undesired.
Once fully consumed by the production's energy, the audience is left to marvel at the intricate inner workings of Audrey II's domain. The ingenious craftsmanship of the props team (August Carr, Caleb Hayes, Teddy Seylar, August Yates) breathes life into the ever-hungry plant (quite literally). This team was behind the first two iterations of Audrey II, the first with a pot and cleverly disguised hole in the bottom for a hand to operate the puppet with, and the second big enough to fit an entire puppeteer, their legs making the roots which swayed and reached for their next victim. The puppeteers (Niko Godoy, Zebulun Williams) synced the giant plant's movements with the sassy, booming voice of Audrey II (Xavier Dent), somehow bringing personality to a foam structure through audacious head tilts and grotesquely organic twitches and lurches. All of the technical teams in Wakefield's production worked together seamlessly to create an environment in which being devoured never felt so thrilling.
As the final echoes of Audrey II's triumph reverberated through Wakefield's auditorium, it was clear the audience had been wholly and willingly consumed. With a satisfied, theatrical burp, the performance declared its victory and left behind a crowd still smiling, even as the metaphorical teeth marks lingered.
Written by Laura Stoker of Justice High School
At Wakefield High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors, the plants don't just grow... they plot. What started as an innocent flower shop story quickly spiraled into a twisted tale of love, greed, and plant terror.
Debuting off-Broadway in 1982, Little Shop of Horrors first came to life as a movie in 1960. Written by Howard Ashman with music by Alan Menken, this dark comedy follows the story of a struggling flower shop in the rundown streets of Skid Row. Just as the business faces closure, a bizarre plant revives its fortunes, capturing the attention of the neighborhood. Named Audrey II, after Seymour's love interest, the plant reveals a disturbing hunger for human blood and the lengths Seymour must go to in order to feed it quickly.
August Carr brought a unique charm to their portrayal of Seymour. Through nervous fidgeting and panicked shaking, they made the awkward florist lovable. Equally delightful was their co-worker and love interest, Audrey. Ava Spera captured the gentle, hesitant nature of the character, adding an airy, dreamlike quality to each of her songs. Their duet, "Suddenly Seymour," blended their tender voices into a heartfelt moment.
Frequently joining the leads were The Urchins, a dynamic trio made up of Clarence Martin, Angelina Kaminsky, and Dylan Meyers. With a wide range of roles, the group delivered spectacular three-part harmonies, energy, and flair to several numbers.
And of course, no production of Little Shop is complete without a deranged dentist. Syd DeWitt's portrayal of Orin Scrivello, DDS, was injected with hilarious energy, turning every moment on stage into a chaotic spectacle.
The production posed a unique challenge: bringing the giant, man-eating plant to life, masterfully handled by the prop team (August Carr, Caleb Hayes, Teddy Saylar, and August Yates) and the set team (Niko Godoy, Ethan Meyers, Issac Souryal, and The Wakefield Set Crew). The beautifully crafted plant was then brought to life by the puppeteers: Zebulon Williams and Niko Godoy. From the subtlest gestures to the plant's dramatic lunges, the puppetry made Audrey II feel truly alive, perfectly in sync with Xavier Dents performance.
With sharp performances and even sharper teeth, Wakefield High school's Little Shop of Horrors left the audience cheering for more.