Little Shop of Horrors is a 90-miniute, sci-fi musical-comedy skillfully co-directed by Ginny Racette and Joe-Michael Jackson that transports you to a graphic novel, B-movie version of Skid Row – the infamous 1960s stretch of the Bowery District in lower Manhattan. Inspired by Roger Corman’s gruesome cult film, Little Shop of Horrors, this musical adaptation was recycled into the popular 1986 movie of the same name, starring Rick Moranis and the unequivocal Ellen Greene.
Regardless of artistic rendition, the underlying story remains – Seymour, a nerdy flower store clerk, purchases a peculiar plant that brings him instant celebrity, but unfortunately, it’s an alien that requires a steady diet of freshly killed human blood and body parts. However, don’t be misled by the white-picket fences at the end of the film; the stage version fully embraces its roots (pun intended) of macabre humor.
The show’s enduring watchability stems from its numerous catchy and belted-out doo-wop numbers and an enormous man-eating plant. Watching a rehearsal prior to the chaotic technical week is a genuine treat. Due to the nature of one of the lead roles being a massive puppet, the actors must have their parts locked in long before the curtain lifts. This cast rises to the occasion as they deliver an already polished and refined performance.
“I’ve never had a nicer cast – they all like each other, they work hard and they’re ready,” said Jackson.
“The directors and crew have been so supportive and the casts’ connection was instant. It’s been a very team-based process,” said Devin Michael Leming, who plays a fun and spazzy Seymour bouncing about the stage with a naïve and self-deprecating, but quirky, energy. His long-standing, unrequited love of Audrey makes more sense with Leming’s portrayal. It is easy to believe she’d need some time to fall in love with this man. He might be a loveable dweeb, but he’s also a lot.
The begrudgingly paternal flower store owner, Mr. Mushnik, is played nimbly by Gus Gordon. He shows genuine concern enough for Audrey to be a multi-dimensional character, but is shrewd and slimy enough by the lure of fortune that the audience won’t be sad when he dies. Gordon embodies everything one can ask for in a foil, villain-adjacent character.
Brooke Seacrist is the leading lady and blonde bombshell, Audrey. Her Audrey has a Betty Boop quality and she and Leming sing the most hummable duet of all time, “Suddenly Seymour,” beautifully. She enjoys the stage show’s more ghastly ending.
“I’m very into spooky, kooky things, but this show is a great gateway to horror because at the end of the day it will feel lighthearted and not really scary,” said Secrist.
Jordan DePatis plays a hilariously disturbing version of the sadistic dentist, Oren Scrivello. He is channeling Steve Martin and has the same gangly physicality to add to the role. DePatis also portrays nine other characters in the show, brandishing his voice-acting talents by giving each one a unique accent or tambor.
“Oren is so gross, it’s fun to see everyone’s reaction to him. I know I’m doing something right when my co-stars feel the ick,” said DePatis.
The trio of Ronette, Crystal, and Chiffon – played exquisitely by Tyler Caraballo-Pisani, Jasmine French and Chrissy Mauck, sequentially – are perfection. Their singing blend is beautiful and they each stand out with singularly unique personalities. Due to their professionally in-synched performance, the omnipotent stylized narration feels menacing. Their songs are haunting enough to remind the audience that although this is absurd and funny, there is something sinister behind the laughter.
That sinister bit would be Audrey II – the carnivorous, megalomaniacal plant, voiced by Justin Johnson and puppeteered by Eric Flick and Sarah Reisch. All are masterful in their collaboration of bringing it to life. Johnson performs phenomenal vocal gymnastics with his Motown-infused baritone and adds his own spin to the character while staying true to its origins. Reisch and Flick capture the bombastic physicality, operating all levels of the growing plant with dexterity and humor. It’s so fun to watch that, one finds themselves rooting for the plant. After all, humanity has had a rough go. Maybe Audrey II and his alien plant babies will simply fare better.
This show promises further surprises and excitement. I highly recommend securing tickets immediately; it will make you laugh, perhaps cry, and might just leave you with some unnerving (plant) food for thought.
Little Shop of Horrors opens Oct. 24-26, and continues its run at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in LRS Theatre Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Friday and Saturday performances start at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 217-523-2787 or visiting HCFTA.org https://www.hcfta.org/tickets.
This article appears in October 23-29, 2025.
