Little Shop of Horrors is quite possibly my favorite musical of all time. I was in the show a number of times growing up, and always thought it had a great sense of humor & wonderful characters. However, it’s rare that I see a production of the show that makes it feel fresh and new again…that is, until, I saw Panic! Productions version this past weekend.
Though the show is usually set in the 1960s, this production choose to update it a bit, and set it in Los Angeles in the time following the 1992 LA riots. By evolving the show into this new location, it showed off how timeless the story actually is, and letting some of the deeper meanings shine through.
On top of that, the music has been updated as well, giving the songs a more raw, and in some cases, hip-hop vibe. Let me tell you, it was probably the most fun I had during any production of Little Shop of Horrors, let alone any stage musical.
Olivia van den Berg, Terika Jefferson, and Fay James as the street urchins
Each and every performer stood out in their own way, fully embodying their characters, and getting their moments to shine. Elijah Malcomb’s turn as Seymour was pretty great, and showcased the down on his luck guy in a special way. Despite the character being written as nebbish, Malcomb commanded the stage whenever he was on, and really set loose during the musical numbers. Catriona Fray brought a new sense of vulnerability to the role of Audrey, and her singing voice was absolutely incredible. She was wonderful, and really made you feel for the character.
However, my absolute favorite part of the ensemble was definitely the street urchin trio of Crystal, Chiffon, and Ronnette, played by Terika Jefferson, Olivia ven den Berg, and Fay James, respectively. Acting as the ‘greek chorus’ of the show, these three really brought the show to life, from the second they sang the opening bars of the Prologue, to the moment they warned of the dangers brought to the world in the Finale. Each and every one of them had plenty of standout moments, and I found myself watching whatever it was they were doing, despite if they were the focus of the scene or not. They each had a way of taking small moments, and turning them into expanded character points. For example, when van den Berg finds herself suddenly and strangely attracted to Orin during the Dentist number, it made for some of the funniest moments in the entire show. They each found ways to give their parts a little more life. I cannot say enough good things about this trio, and I will seriously be looking for whatever roles they take on next.
Elijah Malcomb as Seymour
Director J. Bailey Burcham has a true understanding of the show, and gave it new life, both in updating it and by the staging of his actors. The stage is filled with not just the principals, but also filled Skid Row with tons of extras, each with their own side story. There many times throughout the production that, even though the main story was happening front and center, the extras were involved in their own adventures; from drug deals, a young woman trying to get help for her baby, and more, Burcham really had Skid Row come to life in a way I had never seen before.
Speaking of Skid Row itself was beautifully designed. Gritty and raw, it was like we had stepped into the slums of the 90s. Tents for the homeless, steel fencing, and more gave the production a lived in feeling that most shows fail to accomplish.
Going back to the music again, the musical direction from Josh Bednarksy really helped sell the setting even more, and give a fresh take on our old favorites. I took it almost as the “Hamilton” approach – hip hop infused beats to make the songs sound new again.
I really can’t say enough good things about this production. Though I have not been any other Panic! Productions before, I will certainly be looking forward to whatever the company puts on next.
Little Shop of Horrors is running from now until June 18th. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM, at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks, CA. For more information, and to buy tickets, visit them online at www.hillcrestarts.com
