By: Jodie Darrell, Staff Reporter | Photo By: Scott M. Roberts, Photojournalist
Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” at The Box is more than a little entertaining and horror-licious to the bone.
The production of the “Little Shop of Horrors” is the first adult musical for The Box.
“The fans picked “Little Shop of Horrors” and none of the content has been adjusted,” said Doug Montoya, who plays the mind-controlling alien plant Audrey Two.
The play follows the nerdy, awkward and completely lovable Seymour played by registered tudent Easton Douglas in his discovery of a sadistic, blood thirsty plant from outer space while realizing he is madly in love with his fellow employee at Mr. Mushnik’s flower shop.
Audrey, who is played by registered student and Musical Director for Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company, Madi Frost plays his love interest.
The play has been set in the future as opposed to the original production’s setting in the 1950’s. Easton Douglas captures Seymour’s innocent attitude down to every last clumsy move. Frost and Easton Douglas convey an adorable puppy love that radiates from the stage and evokes memories of awkward teenage relationships.
Frost’s portrayal of Audrey is dead on all the way down to her high pitched New York accent. Frost brings her own naïve signature to Audrey. Frost has an amazing voice and shows it off.
Montoya’s portrayal of Audrey Two is comical and entertaining. It can only be described as R&B mixed with horror and humor. Montoya does such an amazing job playing Audrey Two that it’s difficult to be mad at the killer plant.
Mr. Mushnik is played by Easton Douglas’ father Steven Douglas. Steven Douglas’ gruff fatherly vibe mixed well with Easton Douglas’ Seymour. The duo performs musical number “Mushnik and Son” so entertainingly by playing off each other and adding genuine feelings of a parent-child relationship.
Audrey’s boyfriend Orin is played by Cody Slone. It is obvious that Slone is a perfect fit as the laughing gas huffing, self-professed occupational hazard. He makes playing a demented dentist look fun.
The Doo-wop girls played by Danae Otero, registered student Michaela Bateman and Shelby Morgan add wise-talkin’ sass to the play along with vocal stylings of a ‘50s girl group with a new age look.
The range of vocals brought to the play by the cast are worthy of the original Broadway performance. The musical numbers really display the cast’s amazing and strong voices. The musical number “Suddenly Seymour” was particularly good because that is where Audrey realizes that Seymour loves her just the way she is.
Frost’s voice is full and rich which contrasts with Easton Douglas’ perfectly. Frost’s musical direction enhances the numbers, making them punchy and worthy of this great production.
The twisted love story is achieved by the cast and by Director Kristin Berg incorporating the futuristic setting with the original play seamlessly
The Box is not a particularly big theatre, but Little Shop uses the space to its fullest and it does not compromise the show. The fact that it does only seat 50 people makes itan intimate and personal experience.
Overall, “Little Shop of Horrors” is a smashing success and the show to see this September.
Little Shop of Horrors at the Box Theatre
- When: August 31 — September 16
- Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. | Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
- Where:100 Gold Ave. SW, Albuquerque | 505-404-1578
- How: For tickets go to: http://www.theboxabq.com, tickets – $15
