botanical off broadway musical comedy jacobs... · botanical off‐broadway musical comedy ......
TRANSCRIPT
Botanical off‐Broadway Musical Comedy
Launches Season at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
Friday, March 11th, 2015
WATERLOO REGION – A unlikely hero, a demented dentist, a troubled girl and a blood‐thirsty plant
that sings rhythm and blues – itʹs a delicious recipe for fun as St. Jacobs Country Playhouse launches
its much‐anticipated 2016 Season with one of the longest‐running Off‐Broadway musicals of all time.
Little Shop of Horrors, the hilarious sci‐fi spoof musical that has devoured the hearts of theatregoers
around the world, is on stage now through March 26th.
Based on a 60s cult film, Little Shop of Horrors is the story of geeky florist assistant Seymour who finds
his chance for everything he ever desired — fame, money, and the affection of his beloved Audrey —
via a strange and extraordinary plant. But when the devious plant reveals its plans for a world
takeover, Seymour must decide if he can sacrifice it all in order to save the planet from this botanical
beast and its sinister spores.
Despite its gruesome name, Little Shop of Horrors opened on Broadway in the early 80s to instant
acclaim – winning numerous awards and spawning a successful film version in 1986 starring Rick
Moranis, Steve Martin and Ellen Greene. The eccentric musical continues to be produced all over the
world and is widely considered to be one of the greatest musicals of all time largely due to the
extraordinary score by Disney song‐writing dream team Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who
wrote the now‐famous music for Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. The tight
harmonies, tongue‐in‐cheek lyrics and memorable melodies composed in the style of doo‐wop and
early Motown have cemented the show as Ashman and Menken’s masterpiece even among their
impressive Disney canon.
“Anyone who has an appreciation for the 60s doo‐wop sound will love this production,” says Alex
Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “With its winning cast of quirky characters and
outrageous storyline, audiences will be mesmerized by the growing plant – all while screaming with
laughter and grooving along to the incredibly catchy music.”
Director and Choreographer Mike Jackson, who helmed last season’s Broadway spectacle Chicago,
brilliantly balances all the elements of this hilarious cult classic, keeping the bizarre story fast and
exciting while also building the tender romance that anchors this far‐out musical. His pseudo Motown
choreography accentuates the funky music, making for a truly sensational production that is fun,
upbeat and packed with entertainment value.
Music Director Michael Barber leads a superbly talented band with the necessary flair and panache
required to bring Ashman and Menken’s powerhouse score to life.
Costume Designer Ivan Brozic has outdone himself, creating a signature wardrobe for each
character that captures the vibrancy of the era. The versatility of Samantha Burson’s lavish
rotating set makes for quick transformations, as the story quickly shifts from Skid Row to
Mushnik’s Flower Shop and other locations. Kevin Fraser’s varied lighting design accentuates
each distinctive setting while emphasising the musical’s sci‐fi tone and sinister underbelly. The
stage is alive with colour and detail, creating a visually captivating production that is a feast for
the eyes.
Featuring nine terrific actors, this twisted comedy allows the entire cast to shine, demonstrating once
again the depth of talent on stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Newcomer Ken James Stewart is endearingly hapless as nerdy florist Seymour Krelborn. Stewart
leads the audience with comic conviction as he gradually becomes an unlikely hero. His clear, quirky
voice is an excellent fit for the underdog role – his version of the charming song “Grow for Me” is
adorably geeky and funny.
Showcasing her breadth of experience, Jayme Armstrong delivers an emotional performance as
Audrey, balancing just the right amount of vulnerability and allure with a great sense of honesty and
charm that is essential for this Marilyn Monroe‐esque peroxide blonde with self‐esteem issues.
Armstrong wins hearts with her impeccable rendition of the iconic song “Somewhere That’s Green.”
Armstrong is also the Assistant Director for the production.
Stewart and Armstrong have convincing chemistry, making the audience root for their unlikely
romantic every step of the way through this wacky dark comedy. Their soaring rendition of the famed
duet “Suddenly Seymour” is one of many musical highlights.
It’s a show well‐served for villains, and Jamie McKnight is feverishly funny as Orin Scrivello, the
sadistic dentist, who is also Audrey’s dreadful boyfriend. McKnight also appears in several cameo
roles highlighting his comic versatility. Audiences will remember McKnight from his plethora of
comic roles including the title role in Aladdin: The Panto last Christmas among others.
Nicholas Rice is well cast as Mr. Mushnik, the owner of the failing Skid Row Flower Shop, who is both
an ally and an enemy to Seymour. Rice succeeds at being both demanding boss and scheming father
figure, skillfully goading his protégé to feed the growing plant at all costs – as long as it’s good for
business.
Divine Brown, Vanessa Cobham and Shahi Teruko sparkle as Crystal, Chiffon and Ronnette (named
after the famed girl groups of the 60s), the trio of doo‐wop girls who narrate the story. Brimming with
musical prowess, these three powerful vocalists impress as they sing rich harmonies that rival the
infamous Supremes.
Finally, the big bad plant Audrey II, affectionately known as “Twooey,” comes to life using two actors.
As the voice of the plant, Lee Siegel’s booming baritone echoes through the theatre as he coaxes
Seymour into doing the plant’s bidding. Siegel is a perfect fit for the role – his rich, expressive voice
makes the most of every notes and syllable compelling the audience to love the bad guy, especially in
delicious rhythm and blues songs like “Feed Me” and “Suppertime.”
Audrey II begins as a small potted plant groaning and wilting as it begs for blood and soon grows into
a full‐fledged beast skillfully animated by puppeteer Gregory Pember, whose other career as a yoga
instructor must come in handy as he manipulates the plant body and its vines to synch with Siegel’s
voice. Siegel and Pember’s combine efforts create the illusion that the plant is truly alive and ready to
devour the world – it’s a masterful feat on stage with no digital effects to rely on as they do on screen.
Little Shop of Horrors is proudly sponsored by Josslin Insurance and Anytime Fitness. Media
Sponsors are 107.7 2Day FM and the Waterloo Chronicle. The Design Sponsor is Boston Pizza
and RWAM Insurance Administrators Inc. The 2016 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
Regular performance tickets are $44.00 for adults, $36.00 for groups of 20 or more, and $26.00 for
youth under 20 years of age. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Little Shop of Horrors runs now to March 26th. Tickets may be purchased in person at the
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, online at www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com or by calling the Box
Office at (519) 747‐7788 or toll free at 1‐855‐drayton (372‐9866).
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For more information please contact:
Amanda Kind, Marketing Manager
Drayton Entertainment
Phone: (519) 621‐5511 ext. 235