THEATRE REVIEW: "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Westside Theatre (New York, NY)

      On the fall afternoon of September 25th, 2024, I saw a performance of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Westside Theatre/Upstairs in New York City.  The show is about a down-on-his-luck flower shop worker who raises a blood-thirsty plant.  "Little Shop of Horrors" is based on the 1960 dark comedy film.  I lucked out with the Ticket Lottery again and got to see this show, which I'd never seen before.  Awhile back, I listened to a cast recording of a Broadway Revival, and have seen the film that starred Jack Nicholson.  Other than that, this was my first time experiencing such a fun, yet unusual show.  

     First off, I absolutely love the Westside Theatre--both the exterior and the interior.  The outside looks like the venue was once a mansion, and the inside was a surprisingly large theatre.  It reminded me of photos I've seen of the Grand Opera House, which used to be located in Chicago.  The Westside Theatre is a much smaller venue than the Grand Opera House was, but I found both theatres similar nonetheless.

Exterior of the Westside Theatre, where "Little Shop of Horrors" currently performs.  I took this photo. 

     

     At the performance of "Little Shop of Horrors" that I saw, the cast included Sarah Hyland (Audrey), Andrew Barth Feldman (Seymour), James Carpinello (Orin & Others), Stephen DeRosa (Mushnik), Major Attaway (The Voice of Audrey II), Savannah Lee Birdsong (Ronnette), Hailey Thomas (Chiffon), Daria Pilar Redus (Crystal), and Teddy Yudain (Derelict).  The puppetry and manipulation of Audrey II was performed by Weston Chandler Long, Melissa Victor, and Teddy Yudain.  The cast was terrific, and the audience cheered enthusiastically after every song.  

     "Little Shop of Horrors" features a Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman, and Music by Alan Menken.  This particular production of the musical has been performing at the Westside Theatre since 2019 (if you don't count the pandemic shut-down... but who's counting?).  The scenic designer for this production was Julian Crouch, with Bradley King as lighting designer.  The costumes were designed by Tom Broecker (not Brokaw), and Nicholas Mahon was the puppet designer.  I should probably pluralize the word "puppet," since more than one puppet was probably used as Audrey II grew and grew.  Technicalities aside, this was an exceptionally talented creative team that helped both Act One and Two fly by.

POV Playbill Photo taken from my seat at the Westside Theatre. 

      Other notable actors who have starred in this production of "Little Shop of Horrors" include Jonathan Groff, Jinkx Monsoon, Corbin Bleu, Darren Criss, Joy Woods, Brad Oscar, Tammy Blanchard, and Jeremy Jordan.  I think it is wise to use star power to keep the show popular year-after-year.  I say this because the Westside theatre is a little bit further away from Times Square than the other theatres.  Then again, there are theatres all over the city, including Lincoln Center, the Beacon Theatre, and the Daryl Roth Theatre.  The latter venue I mentioned, located in the east village, is where Kathryn and I will see "Titanique" next month, and I'm super excited.  I hope I have future theatre excursions where I can incorporate trips to the library on the way.  I did that this time and it worked out really well.  

     It's amazing to me how the production, any production really, is very much like a painting.  I think this is due to the colors the scenery, and costumes, are... as well as the flesh-eating plant in this case!  Also, where a person is positioned on stage during a scene, and a song, makes all the difference.   The credit is due to "Little Shop" director Michael Mayer and Music Director Patrick Sulken.  I believe it's called "spacing" as to where a person is on stage during a song.  I wonder if when the spacing wasn't working during rehearsals, the cast and crew would say "Is Patrick sulkin'?"  

Andrew Barth Feldman and Sarah Hyland in "Little Shop of Horrors."  Photo by Evan Zimmerman. 

     While the walk to the Westside Theatre seemed really far, the walk back to Grand Central Station went by much faster--and that included a wrong turn!  I think that was because I was filled with gratitude because of how great the show was.  I've been trying to win the "Little Shop" ticket lottery for about a year.  I'm so happy and grateful that I finally won a ticket to the show.  I'm also grateful that I was able to stop by the library before seeing the show.  Who would have thought I'd remember how to use a microfilm machine after a five-year hiatus?  Anyway, I look forward to the next show, whatever that may be.