Little Shop...Who Leads? Anyone know? — Page 20

FINALLY a casting that is someone who’s the actual vibe of quirky Little Shop

Any announcement of how long Jinkxx's run is?

May 26 would be 8 weeks, which makes sense for the reasons above, and prices drop off after that, as well, so I think it's a safe bet.

Tickets seem to be moving really fast.

I'm sure the run will sell out very quickly. I'm interested in what Jinkx will do as I am a fan, but I can't say I think its the best casting. Jinkx is always Jinkx. I've seen her in several productions and she doesn't strike me as a actress but a performer who is playing a version of herself. Audrey is a role I consider pretty nuanced and while she has some campy elements she's not camp. Jinkx is over the top and quite garish in most of the productions I have seen her in. Therefore, it doesn't feel like the best fit. It won't matter because her whole run will sell out in that small theatre. If Im being honest, I also think her voice has declined significantly over the years and I don't find her as pleasant to listen to as I once did.

So pumped! With this barrier broken in the flagship production, I wonder if MJ Rodriguez will ever be in the conversation again. That production out west looked a bit...small even for this show, but the casting was exciting and I loved their Seth Meyers performance.

I agree that Audrey is not camp, but Little Shop is still a cartoon.

It's supposed to be accidentally incredibly sweet.

That's why it works.

That's why this casting works.

This casting is very in the same vein as a choice like Ellen Greene.

Bettyboy72 said: "I'm sure the run will sell out very quickly. I'm interested in what Jinkx will do as I am a fan, but I can't say I think its the best casting. Jinkx is always Jinkx. I've seen her in several productions and she doesn't strike me as a actress but a performer who is playing a version of herself. Audrey is a role I considerpretty nuanced and while she has some campy elements she's not camp. Jinkx is over the top and quite garish in most of the productions I have seen her in. Therefore, it doesn't feel like the best fit. It won't matter because her whole run will sell out in that small theatre. If Im being honest, I also think her voice has declined significantly over the years and I don't find her as pleasant to listen to as I once did."

I know nothing of Jinx beyond what I saw of her online singing Mama in Chicago, and agree this seems like a choice to take the show/role in a different direction. Tammy Blanchard wasnt the best singer in the world but her take was so layered and tragic... and since then we've had some serious singers take over. BUT BUT BUT who knows what Jinx can do, and lets give her a shot and find out. Seems like a no brainer choice by the production to get her on board.

LOVE Jinkx! Saw her and Dela's holiday show. Fabulous! Can't wait to see this again!

I thought Jinkx brought out nuances in Mama Morton that I had never seen before. Yes, in her own shows, she's playing a heightened version of herself- but I think she's plenty capable.

Ellen Greene's take on Audrey was very campy- but the best kind, which is earnest. Her Audrey wore tacky outfits but she thought they looked good, she was extremely earnest. It's what makes her endearing, funny, and easy to love. The emphasis on the tragic parts of the character are hampered by the show being a very lean and heightened sci-fi/horror comedy. It's a B-movie onstage and with music- it's all heightened and a little ridiculous.

Updated On: 2/28/24 at 05:23 PM

I agree with Kad about Jinkx's capability here.



And similarly, I think MJ's performance in *this* production would hypothetically be, especially with direction, not necessarily the same as what we've seen from her before. From what I can gather, that was a more generally austere & "grounded" production. Idk, what I saw of her was exciting enough that I'd really like to see it happen.



This casting just made me think about the possibility of other non-binary or trans performers in the role. Because I actually think the implications of Jinkx in the role are just as exciting for the emotional dimensions of the character as the camp, largely for this very reason.

QueenAlice said: "I know the clip of MJ Rodriquez as Audrey has its fans, but it feels like an awfully serious take on the material, which I think was written to be slightly camp (see the orginal starring Ellen Greene). I think having a drag performer (who can really sing this) feels more in line with the B-movie origins of this musical."

Exactly why I thought that production was a miss. People forget "Suddenly Seymour" is definitely kinda silly which is WHY it's sad and sweet. Crystal, Chiffon and Ronnette come in as backup on a balcony at the pivotal final chorus going "you ooo ooo"

Howard Ashman said it's not camp it's "tongue firmly planted in cheek"

It's not supposed to be a song from Les Mis.

Updated On: 2/29/24 at 01:01 PM