#1
Posted: 3/31/04 at 9:02pm
Hooray, last night I finally got to see LSOH for the second time. The last time I saw it was in September when the show was still in previews, so I was happy to see how the show came along.
Overall, I still love this show and the current production at the Virginia Theatre. I couldn't help but smile when the lights dimmed and that wonderful music starts with the narrator's voice setting the scene for the audience. For some reason it gets me so charged up and ready to have a good time. And LSOH, essentially, is a good time.
Well, my heart sank when a white paper dropped from the Playbill to announce that Jessice-Snow Wilson would be on for Kerry Butler. Kerry Butler is one of my favorite actresses on Broadway right now, and I loved what Kerry did with the character of Audrey, so I was very disappointed that she wouldn't be in. But I decided to give Jessica a chance. I noticed right away that Jessica had more a New York accent than Kerry did, but less of a character voice. I also thought that she played Kerry's portrayal of Audrey rather than Ellen Greene's -- which I was thankful for. Still, I felt she added her twists to make the character her own.
Jessica-Snow Wilson was a little weak vocal-wise to begin with, during "Somewhere That's Green" and she wouldn't hit the higher notes with much strength and she kind of backed off a little. I was unsure what she would be able to do with "Suddenly Seymour". Well, when it did finally come around, Jessica did just fine. She began to really belt during the song and I was so pleased that she did. I then considered the fact that maybe she didn't want to belt the high notes in the other songs to save it up "Suddenly Seymour". She then showed off her vocal chords and developed the 'soulful' belty voice of Audrey. I was happy. Overall I think she did a great job considering the Understudies don't get a great deal of stage time and practice, and I was happy to have her cover Kerry Butler! Still, Kerry Butler can sing the crap out of the songs.
Hunter Foster was amazing as usual, and I think he's come a long way with Seymour and he really knows how to milk those comedic timings. I loved how intense he got towards the climax of the show during 'The Meek Shall Inherit", and he was an excellent Seymour.
I swear, Douglass Sills has gotten SO much funnier since I saw him in September, and I thought he was amazing even then. He's definitely got Orin down and his fits of laughter on stage are HIGHLY contagious. Plus, he held that "Ah-aaaaaaaaaaaay am your dentist!" for a very impressive amount of time. Just when I thought he couldn't go any long, he adjusted his dentist instrument and held it for another 15 seconds. The crowd appreciated his performance and applauded his entrance. They just loved each and every one of his characters. I wondered if he got rid of the spitting gag as well. In September he was spitting up a storm all over the first few seats, but I didn't see as much spitting this time around. Perhaps it was because I was directly in front and not from the side.
Michael-Leon Wooley was also absent for this performance, and I was VERY fortunate to hear Michael James Leslie perform the role. His voice seemed even deeper than Wooley's, if that's possible, and he added his twists to "Feed Me" to make it all the more soulful and fun. His booming presence shook the house and he's got an awesome voice. I just loved watching the little kid jump out of his seat when that deep voice rumbles from Audrey II for the first time.
The Urchins, Carla J. Hargrove, Trisha Jeffrey, and DeQuina Moore were full of energy and spunk and they sang the hell out of those songs. I had awesome seats in Row E in the very middle of the center orchestra, and I was right up close to see how amazing the notes sounded when they came from the trio. I was in awe whenever one of them would open their mouths. They also have the attitude of the Urchins down pat, and they deserve awards damnit! Go girls!
Finally, Rob Barlett was just perfect. I enjoyed him in September and enjoyed him now. He's wonderful to watch and his face turned bright red when he held his breath during "Mushnik and Son". His screams of terror when Mushnik is eaten were even more intense this time around, and he really made it gruesome.
***Next Paragraph Contains Spoilers!***
If anyone tries to get tickets for this show, aim for the center orchestra, because it was very cool to have the plant come out over the audience in the end. Last time I was on the side and didn't get to experience, but this time Audrey II was in arms reach of myself just overhead, and this one girl in front of me was terrified, especially when the sing lunges down and snaps at people. A great ending to an even greater show.
*****
So to recap: I was disappointed to have understudies at first, but they proved me wrong and allowed me to experience a slightly different show that was even better than the first time I saw it.
Great 205th performance Little Shop!
Overall, I still love this show and the current production at the Virginia Theatre. I couldn't help but smile when the lights dimmed and that wonderful music starts with the narrator's voice setting the scene for the audience. For some reason it gets me so charged up and ready to have a good time. And LSOH, essentially, is a good time.
Well, my heart sank when a white paper dropped from the Playbill to announce that Jessice-Snow Wilson would be on for Kerry Butler. Kerry Butler is one of my favorite actresses on Broadway right now, and I loved what Kerry did with the character of Audrey, so I was very disappointed that she wouldn't be in. But I decided to give Jessica a chance. I noticed right away that Jessica had more a New York accent than Kerry did, but less of a character voice. I also thought that she played Kerry's portrayal of Audrey rather than Ellen Greene's -- which I was thankful for. Still, I felt she added her twists to make the character her own.
Jessica-Snow Wilson was a little weak vocal-wise to begin with, during "Somewhere That's Green" and she wouldn't hit the higher notes with much strength and she kind of backed off a little. I was unsure what she would be able to do with "Suddenly Seymour". Well, when it did finally come around, Jessica did just fine. She began to really belt during the song and I was so pleased that she did. I then considered the fact that maybe she didn't want to belt the high notes in the other songs to save it up "Suddenly Seymour". She then showed off her vocal chords and developed the 'soulful' belty voice of Audrey. I was happy. Overall I think she did a great job considering the Understudies don't get a great deal of stage time and practice, and I was happy to have her cover Kerry Butler! Still, Kerry Butler can sing the crap out of the songs.
Hunter Foster was amazing as usual, and I think he's come a long way with Seymour and he really knows how to milk those comedic timings. I loved how intense he got towards the climax of the show during 'The Meek Shall Inherit", and he was an excellent Seymour.
I swear, Douglass Sills has gotten SO much funnier since I saw him in September, and I thought he was amazing even then. He's definitely got Orin down and his fits of laughter on stage are HIGHLY contagious. Plus, he held that "Ah-aaaaaaaaaaaay am your dentist!" for a very impressive amount of time. Just when I thought he couldn't go any long, he adjusted his dentist instrument and held it for another 15 seconds. The crowd appreciated his performance and applauded his entrance. They just loved each and every one of his characters. I wondered if he got rid of the spitting gag as well. In September he was spitting up a storm all over the first few seats, but I didn't see as much spitting this time around. Perhaps it was because I was directly in front and not from the side.
Michael-Leon Wooley was also absent for this performance, and I was VERY fortunate to hear Michael James Leslie perform the role. His voice seemed even deeper than Wooley's, if that's possible, and he added his twists to "Feed Me" to make it all the more soulful and fun. His booming presence shook the house and he's got an awesome voice. I just loved watching the little kid jump out of his seat when that deep voice rumbles from Audrey II for the first time.
The Urchins, Carla J. Hargrove, Trisha Jeffrey, and DeQuina Moore were full of energy and spunk and they sang the hell out of those songs. I had awesome seats in Row E in the very middle of the center orchestra, and I was right up close to see how amazing the notes sounded when they came from the trio. I was in awe whenever one of them would open their mouths. They also have the attitude of the Urchins down pat, and they deserve awards damnit! Go girls!
Finally, Rob Barlett was just perfect. I enjoyed him in September and enjoyed him now. He's wonderful to watch and his face turned bright red when he held his breath during "Mushnik and Son". His screams of terror when Mushnik is eaten were even more intense this time around, and he really made it gruesome.
***Next Paragraph Contains Spoilers!***
If anyone tries to get tickets for this show, aim for the center orchestra, because it was very cool to have the plant come out over the audience in the end. Last time I was on the side and didn't get to experience, but this time Audrey II was in arms reach of myself just overhead, and this one girl in front of me was terrified, especially when the sing lunges down and snaps at people. A great ending to an even greater show.
*****
So to recap: I was disappointed to have understudies at first, but they proved me wrong and allowed me to experience a slightly different show that was even better than the first time I saw it.
Great 205th performance Little Shop!
Updated On: 3/31/04 at 09:02 PM
