Dazzling "Little Shop" Well-Worth the Trip to Beautiful Outdoor Solvang Festival Theater
Thursday, June 27th, Solvang, CA
written by Entertainment Editor, Dan Ruth
No one loves a road trip more than this guy! As a New Yorker for 28 years, now armed with a California driver’s license, I live for jumping in my car and hitting the road, so when I read up on the Pacific Conservatory Theatre at Solvang Festival Theater in Solvang, CA, I seized the day and headed north. I really wanted to see their festival-opening production, Little Shop of Horrors, a personal favorite of mine. Being a new transplant to California, I was quite surprised by the quaint and lovely Danish community of Solvang, an enchanting village about as far from skid row as you can get, but when I got to the theatre, that's when I was really surprised. I was not expecting an open air, three-quarter thrust with a raked audience! This beautiful theatre is host to a highly entertaining production of Little Shop of Horrors which didn’t disappoint, as it opens the Pacific Conservatory Theater’s Summer Season 60.
First things first, if you’ve never seen a production of Little Shop of Horrors, or if it’s one of your favorite shows, take the trip to Solvang and catch this one, because it’s a delight and full of surprises. For those who know the show, you know that getting this show off on the right foot (or other bloody appendage of your choice), requires a trio of belters that blend impeccably, and this Little Shop of Horrors has that with Brezae Weeks (Ronnette), Etasha Caston (Chiffon) and Marisa Moenho (Crystal) who step out as our sparkle-draped, satin Greek chorus for the evening, and their vocal blend is exceptional. The trio appears, disappears and reappears throughout the show, but it’s the first two numbers of the show that must hook you and they do. Prologue (Little Shop of Horrors), and Skid Row (Downtown) get this production off on the right track, as we meet sad sack Seymour Krelborn, played by the charming and delightfully quirky Alexander Pimentel, Audrey, innocently played by the lovely Molly Dobbs, and Mr. Mushnik, owner of Mushnik’s Flower Shop in Skid Row, USA, played by a very funny Billy Breed. The flower shop, incidentally, could be anywhere, it could be LA or New York, Baltimore, or Cincinnati, but regardless, there’s not a lot to look forward to in this part of town. The shop’s going under, Seymour’s in love with bombshell Audrey, but Audrey’s otherwise involved with an abusive boyfriend.
Cue the plant.
This town is in dire need of some new blood, and when Seymour discovers Audrey II, a “strange and interesting plant,” that requires fresh blood to grow, that’s when the money starts rolling in and the campy fun really starts. Enter our villain, the abusive and ridiculous dentist, Orin Skrivello, masterfully played by the hilarious George Walker, who doubles as other characters throughout the show. Walker throws everything he’s got into a tightrope walk performance, in which Orin must be funny and likeable enough to believe that Audrey would fall for him, but so hateful that you want to see him end up as plant food. As Audry II grows and grows, this production has a new surprise; this is the first production I’ve seen where the plant Audrey II, usually played throughout by a large puppet, is actually portrayed by an actor, who “steps out” of the puppet. Such is the case with this production, with the wildly effective Diva LaMarr stepping out, heals and all, and she is simply sensational. From the top of their Purple beehive, to the iridescent green and electric purple chiffon, this Audry II can sing, sing, sing. If there was ever a production calling out for a performance of Mean Green Mother from Outer Space, this would be it, but don’t look for it, it’s not present in the stage production. Regardless, this would be as good a time as any to note that LaMarr, Walker and all voices in this Pacific Conservatory Theatre production are excellent, as is the sound. While small in numbers, the orchestra is extremely effective; warning, you will leave humming the songs, so alert the one’s you live with. To sum up the rest of the show because you need to see it for yourself, I refer to an audience member who, upon exiting the theatre, was heard saying, “it had to end, there wasn’t anyone left to feed to the plant.” The very appreciative audience was rapt the night I saw Little Shop of Horrors. It’s a wonderful production from start to finish, with an outstanding set and light design and very effective choreography. Overall, the whole experience was very filling (the delicious home-made pastry and fresh coffee I had at intermission didn’t hurt either).
In closing, even the one major distraction, a SpaceX rocket reentry directly above the theatre stage, was perfectly fitted to this alien camp monster musical. I’m so glad I spent the day in Solvang, the drive up the PCH was spectacular, as the last time I drove from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, there was a slew of construction blocking the view. No longer! I love supporting this organization, I would recommend checking out their whole summer season, now running in rep through September. Congratulations to Pacific Conservatory Theater for the launch of their Summer Season 60.
This very quick-paced and upbeat Little Shop of Horrors is directed and choreographed by Keenon Hooks who brings out the camp and the comedy, but keeps all the heart intact. Music by Alan Menken, with Book & Lyrics by Howard Ashman. The Pacific Conservatory Summer Festival continues with productions of The Play That Goes Wrong, Cabaret, and The Agitators. Brought to you by Managing Director, Jennifer Schwartz and Artistic Director, Mark Booher.
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