Just In Time: Little Shop of Horrors at Riverside Theatre

Brian Golub and his buddy in Riverside Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors (Photos by Angel Udelhoven)

By Linda Gordon Hengerer

Just in time for Halloween, Riverside Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors is a treat.

Set in Mushnik’s Flower Shop on Skid Row in New York City, the story focuses on Mr. Mushnik and shop assistants Seymour and Audrey.

The flower shop is failing and Mushnik makes the hard choice to close the shop. Meek and dejected Seymour, who found an interesting plant a few weeks prior, brings it out to entice passersby into the shop. A man walks by and enters the shop, intrigued by the unusual plant in the window. His purchase enables the shop to remain open.

We learn how unusual the plant is. Named Audrey II, after Seymour’s unrequited crush Audrey, the plant is a sentient character throughout the musical and grows and grows until it dominates the shop. Despite not being able to figure out what type of plant Audrey II is, Seymour gives it the best care he can.

Audrey II and Seymour become famous and Mushnik’s Flowers is now successful. In demand for radio interviews, Seymour is being pursued by people who want to capitalize on his unusual plant.

But Seymour has discovered the grisly secret to fuel Audrey II’s growth: human blood. He sees a way to win Audrey’s affection, if he can bring himself to do a dirty deed. He does, and it’s the beginning of a terrible secret.

The musical originated off-off-Broadway in 1982. Music is by Alan Menken, with lyrics and book by Howard Ashman, this mashup of rock, comedy, horror, and music moved to the Orpheum Theatre for a five-year run. Several tours and revivals in the US and UK followed, on Broadway and the West End. The 1986 film was directed by Frank Oz and with a screenplay by Charles Griffith, and starred Rick Moranis as Seymour.

Featuring a pop/rock score pulled from doo-wop, early Motown, and 60s rock-and-roll, The Urchins (three local girls) narrate the story through song. Chiffon, Ronette, and Crystal set the stage and time period for the story.

The cast is full of film, television, and Broadway tour veterans. Their collective experience is shown to advantage on stage, playing to the back of the balcony without overwhelming those seated closer.

The expertise of the production crew has been honed nationally as well as for many prior Riverside Theatre productions. Live musicians keep the pace brisk and enhance the other-worldly feeling of the story. The sound showcases the actors’ dialogue and song, and the lighting contributes to the ambiance.

Brian Golub is Seymour. He has been in previous Riverside Theatre productions (Full Monty, 2012; Jersey Boys, 2023), as well as in film and several national tours (Jesus Christ Superstar, School of Rock). His strong singing and acting are displayed well in this production.

Ruby Lewis and Brian Golub

Ruby Lewis plays Audrey and her on- and off-Broadway experience, as well as several national tours, gives her main-character stage presence. Despite Audrey being a woman of low self-esteem, Ruby shows her as a sympathetic character the audience understands.

Adam LaSalle does quadruple duty as Orin Scrivello D.D.S., Bernstein, Snip, and Luce. His ability to present different characters through costume change, a different way of speaking, and attitude were honed by off-Broadway and regional theatre.

Nicholas Ward is the voice of Audrey II. His rich voice gives the plant presence, his voice deepening as the plant grows. The familiar refrain, “Feed me!” rumbles out with increasing urgency as the musical progresses. Ward has Broadway, film, television, and tour experience, and movie soundtrack credits (Wicked 1 and Wicked 2 “For Good”).

Mushnik is played by Allen Lewis Rickman, a film and TV veteran (Red Skelton, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) with Broadway experience. He does a terrific job as a man whose livelihood is failing, then turns on a dime into a success.

Bri Jarvis (Chiffon), Harper Miles (Ronette), and Grace Ellis Solomon (Crystal) are the girl-group Delphic chorus throughout the musical. They open and close the story, and function as a trio. All three have experience playing in girl groups: Bri in the international tour of Dreamgirls (Effie White); Harper as The Shirelles’ Lucille in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical National Tour; and Grace as Little Eva in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Their harmonies soar, their girl-group moves are tight, and their acting keeps them separate within the group.

Clint Hromsco (Audrey II Puppeteer) is an actor with extensive experience (Broadway, national and regional theatre, TV) as well as a director and puppeteer. Audrey II may be a plant, but Clint’s dynamic puppeteering gives her main character energy.

DJ Salisbury is the Director-Choreographer. He has helmed many Riverside productions including Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Kinky Boots, West Side Story, and Ain’t Misbehavin’. DJ directed Disney composer Alan Menken’s Lincoln Center concert.

Brent Alan Huffman returns to Riverside Theatre as Music Director and Keys 1. His most recent Riverside production was Honky Tonk Angels in 2023. Brent has been a member of Alan Menken’s music team for 30 years and was music director for the US tour of Little Shop of Horrors.

Kurt Alger is the Costume and Wig Designer, with previous Riverside credits including Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Kinky Boots, Jersey Boys, and My Fair Lady. He has also coordinated RENT on tour and Broadway for 10 years.

Julie Duro (Lighting Designer) is another Riverside Theatre veteran. Her extensive theatre experience includes lighting design for the Palm Beach Opera and Manhattan School of Music. Dance designs for several ballet companies (Pittsburgh Ballet, the Australian Ballet) round out her design credits.

Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer) has over 40 years in professional audio, including broadcast engineering, studio recording, concert touring, and sound design for theater.

This production is thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining, and the comedy offsets the somewhat macabre nature of the story. The singing and dancing are on point, the production values are high, and the venue and staff are welcoming.

Doors open one hour before showtime. A full bar and indoor seating are available for early arrivals, and a new Executive Chef has been hired for a full dining experience (coming soon). Fridays and Saturdays also feature music Live in the Loop, with food and beverages from the on-site Grill and Bar.

Built in 1973, Riverside Theatre enters its 52^nd season with a strong slate of four musicals (Little Shop of Horrors, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Jesus Christ Superstar, and 9 to 5) and two plays (Mauritius and Almost, Maine). Year-round offerings include The Comedy Zone; Live in the Loop (outdoor concerts, grill and bar); backstage tours; children’s theatre; and Ballet Vero Beach’s Nutcracker on the Indian River.

Little Shop of Horrors plays through November 9 at Riverside Theatre, 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach in Riverside Park. Matinees Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2 pm; Evenings Wednesdays-Saturdays 7:30 or 8:00 pm. Running time approximately 120 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets range from $30 (Student Matinee Balcony) to $85 (Adult Evening Orchestra). Visit riversidetheatre.com or call 772-231-6990.

 Linda Gordon Hengerer is the author of cozy mysteries that serve up justice with a side of recipes and crafts. She is a long-time member of the mystery writing community, as member and board member of Mystery Writers of America-Florida Chapter and Florida Treasure Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She co-edited the Happy Homicides Cozy Mystery Anthology series.