Compass Rose Theater’s production of Little Shop of Horrors is a hilarious, jazzy musical. Based on Roger Corman’s 1960s science fiction film, with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, it is a classic off-Broadway show, with familiar, toe-tapping music and lyrics made for singing along to. Directed by Madeline Austin, with musical direction by Jack Benedict, it is a fun musical to end the season with.
Maxwell Wolf plays Seymour, the flower shop assistant, with perfect comic awkwardness. On first entering, he trips, bringing down the plants he carries. His singing is beautiful and filled with emotion. In “Skid Row,” he sings of desperately wanting to “get outta here,” while “Grow for Me” is pleading for his “strange and interesting plant” to flourish. He captures his moral dilemma in “Git It,” “Now,” and “The Meek Shall Inherit,” moving back and forth from eagerness to terror. After one wrenching moment, he collapses in front of the store counter, weeping.
Sophie Love brings a yearning to Audrey, working in the shop with Seymour. “Somewhere That’s Green” is a heartfelt longing to escape poverty, with bits of funny moments, including enjoying TV on “our huge, 12-inch screen.” In “Suddenly Seymour,” she sings tenderly of never believing she deserved a good man and realizing her love for Seymour. Her reprise of “Somewhere That’s Green” is heartbreaking.
Martin Egna plays flower store owner Mushnik as a deep curmudgeon, always complaining and yelling at Seymour. He shines in “Mushnik and Son,” with Fiddler on the Roof–style singing and dancing. He is dramatic in “Suppertime,” threatening Seymour with what he suspects. Elliott Petrilla brings an eagerness to Martin, wanting Seymour to sign a contract with tremendous consequences.
Barrett Johnson, Keila Mumphord, and Cristen Young give a streetwise toughness to the Urchins Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronette. They challenge Audrey’s abusive boyfriend Orin (Andrew Agner-Nichols) when meeting him, even taking a swing at him. They fill the opening song, “Little Shop of Horrors,” with excitement and dramatic moves. They give fun commentary to Seymour’s story of finding the plant Audrey II in “Da-Doo” and add to the feeling of suspense in “Suppertime.”
Andrew Agner-Nichols gives an intensity to Orin, Audrey’s boyfriend. He laughs at inappropriate times and grows excited looking at Seymour’s dental needs. He is full of delight in “Be a Dentist!” enjoying the opportunities his job gives to cause pain. He turns threatening with just a slight change of tone, backing Audrey into a corner as she apologizes. As Skip Snip and Bernstein, he is comically full of himself, while as Mrs. Luce, he is charmingly sophisticated.
Puppeteers Tyler White and Amanda Matousek give movement to Audrey II, raising the plant’s giant head and tendrils and opening its tooth-filled mouth. White also brings perfect comic timing as the first customer to notice the plant, stopping in mid-stride and turning. James Toler gives a sassy menace to Audrey II’s voice. He fills “Git It” with jazzy temptations, and a growing suspense to “Suppertime.” As a wino, he has great vocal comic moments in “Skid Row.”
Set Designer Isabel DeCarvalho places the action in Mushnik’s Flower Shop, with a counter in the center with a growing number of rotary phones, and various pegs in back for aprons and photos (prop design by Susan Flynn). At audience right is a brick wall with a garbage can. A dentist’s chair comes out for Orin’s office. Costume Designer Michelle Hickman evokes the nerd feeling for Seymour with sweaters and slacks, while Audrey wears a leopard-print blouse, dark skirt, and nylons. The Urchins wear Catholic schoolgirl-style uniforms, later changing to green dresses and lab coats. Orin wears a leather jacket and tight pants. His special gas suit, while fitting for the times, makes it hard to hear his final song. Audrey II is comically fearsome, looking like a huge vegetable buzzard-like creature.
Lighting Designer John Purnell adds to the atmosphere with different lighting effects. Red light bathes the stage during dramatic moments with Audrey II. Sound designer Ryan Squires throws out sound effects, including munching and crunching.
Musical Director Jack Benedict generally balances the music with the singing, though in “Suppertime,” the spoken dialogue is difficult to hear over the singing. Choreographer Lindsay Zetter creates lovely, funny dances, especially between Seymour and Mushnik in “Mushnik and Son.” Director Madeline Austin keeps the energy high with lots of movement. The way Audrey II disposes of those it devours is clever. The actors hit the right comic and emotional moments. Little Shop of Horrors is great fun for the whole family, from those who grew up with the musical and know every song to those who have never seen it.
Running Time: Two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
Little Shop of Horrors plays through March 30, 2025, presented by Compass Rose Theater, performing at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts (third floor), 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD. Tickets ($15–$55 plus fees) can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 410-980-6662.
Little Shop of Horrors
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics and Book by Howard Ashman
Directed by Madeline Austin
Musical direction by Jack Benedict
