Curtains open. Spotlights dim. A hush falls over the audience as a shadow moves across the stage. Everything’s silent for a moment. Then boom- A burst of music echoes through the theater as actors and dancers roar to life.
Saint Viator’s first field trip for the 2023-2024 school year started off with a bang! On September 1st, students were able to watch a live performance of “Little Shop of Horrors”, a horror comedy musical set during the 1980s. The musical was originally based on a film directed by Roger Corman in 1962 and crashed into Broadway in 1980. The main idea of “Little Shop of Horrors” follows the American Dream and all the issues that come along with it- and what happens if you take things too far.
The musical follows an orphan boy named Seymour, who works at a flower shop with his foster parent, Mushnik, and his co-worker Audrey. When Seymour discovers a mysterious plant that talks, it offers him a chance to get fame and fortune, with a twist- the plant needs blood to survive. Seymour takes the plant’s word and ends up killing Audrey’s boyfriend, who works as a dentist. Seymour feeds the dentist to the plant, which only grows from there. Things get out of hand for Seymour and the people he loves until he’s forced into an ultimate decision: an honest life- or a life of fame?
The music in “Little Shop of Horrors” is greatly inspired by the 1960s genre of rock and roll and doo-wop, accompanied by a run-down style of scenery in an urban area. The first impression of the show is subtle at first, but it doesn’t take long to explode into a swinging, hyper musical with a snappy score and stunning choreography. Comedy is straightforward and witty, and the lines make you laugh without doing much! One idea “Little Shop” might “implant” in you is the fear of anything floral, though.
All in all, “Little Shop” is an awesome show that will get you moving, and everybody who came for the production had a great time! Highly recommended!