Killer Plant Invades Forest Robert’s Theatre
Look out! A man-eating plant is growing at the Forest Roberts Theatre this week for NMU’s production of Little Shop of Horrors directed by Paul Truckey.
Upon entering the theatre, you would never know that this abandoned big city alleyway is actually in Marquette, Michigan. I have seen several productions of this particular musical spoof on 1950s horror films, so I came in as a hard audience to please right off the bat. That being said, I am thoroughly impressed with this university level production.
The story’s flower shop is owned by cranky old businessman, Mr. Mushnik played humorously by community member, Martyn Martello. I have worked with Martello on numerous productions with him as a director, but this is the first time I have seen him on stage and I can’t say that I am disappointed with his charming take on the role.
Our unconventional nerdy botanist hero, Seymour is certainly a change of character for Sophomore Donovan Chambers from when we last saw him in Lake Superior Theatre’s production of Pippin as the bold and confident Lead Player. Chambers brings a unique twist on the role that I appreciate after seeing so many identical Seymours in other shows. He leads the production along side senior Taylor Kulju who is performing in Little Shop for her senior theatre capstone in what I am sure is her best performance to date since I first saw her in The Near East four years ago as the first show I saw at Northern and back then, I never thought that she could top that until now.
Playing the airheaded idealist, Kulju brings a beautiful, sweet essence to the character particularly during her ballad “Somewhere That’s Green” as she explains how badly she wants to trade her life in the Ghetto for quaint suburban living.
However, Audrey’s real life isn’t quite as rosy as her dreams. Her Biker/Dentist boyfriend is a no good, dirty rotten biker a la James Dean played by Junior Dorsey Sprouls whom you might have seen deliver a nothing short of brilliant performance in FRT’s production of A Paper Tiger In The Rain earlier this year. Sprouls continues to impress in his role as Orin and steals the show not just as the sadistic dentist, but as all the other roles he must portray throughout the show including a Texas Businessman and an old woman among others. We spend the show hoping for the rebel without a cause Dentist to meet his demise.
Throughout the show a Motown sound trio serve as omniscient storytellers, bringing the audience along with the story. The three sparkly divas are played by sophomores Jill Vermeulen, Liz Trueblood, and Laura Thompson. While they did come off as a little too “rural UP girls” and not so much hardcore street divas, I will always commend anyone cast in these three incredibly demanding roles featuring difficult three part harmonies and challenging vocal runs. It takes some pretty incredible chops to successfully portray Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon to which I commend the three on an admirable performance.
Although you never see his face, you might recognize his voice from many past FRT productions. James Porras II is the voice of the sassy alien plant named Audrey II so lovingly named by Seymour after his secret love for Audrey. Teaming up with puppeteers Shane O’Connor, Dane Wumlinger, and Abigail Persoon, the four-person crew tackles the portrayal of a giant talking, singing, moving plant.
Every time that I see a production of Little Shop, I always wonder how the director, artistic staff, and actors will tackle the monster plant. While NMU’s representation is a refreshing change from other productions of this show I’ve seen, the puppeteers dressed in morph suits didn’t quite make me believe they were vines rather than actors with baggy pants that are a bit too long and flailing in the air. Aside from the crazy vine pants, the rest of the plant design was absolutely incredible and is hands down the best I’ve seen for this show.
With only eleven total cast members, this production of Little Shop of Horrors is the smallest I’ve seen in comparison to some of the large casts done by other companies that cram as many people in the show as possible—I can see that Truckey was striving to stay true to the original production for which I am extremely pleased by. Though it is small, it is mighty and not to be missed.
Featuring some potentially scary moments and brief violence, I would not recommend this show for the kids under twelve.
Little Shop of Horrors will be playing at NMU’s Forest Roberts Theatre April 15-18.
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