Little Shop of Horrors- Pasadena- Page 2

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 9/26/19 at 10:36pm

missthemountains said: "I think it would've been way cooler for them to have color conscious casting and still do the show in the 50's (60's?) as written. "

60's, as the original movie is from 1960 and I think the movie hints that the events take place around 1964.

[Almira]

Posted: 9/27/19 at 1:35am

Okay... I saw it.

Firstly,  this is a very ambitious production where the director rightly or wrongly subverts almost every expectation when it come this show.  This director has now freed Little Shop from the museum piece it has become.  And for that reason alone this production deserves attention.

By museum piece I mean....I saw the original L.A. production with Faith Prince, and every subsequent production has been some slight variation on the original or derivative of the film. All basically the same.  All less interesting than the one before it.

But now we have a Little Shop that... while not being entirely successful.. shows the potential the show has for different approaches... and that is what makes this version exciting to watch. Gone is the cartoonish overwash.

Unfortunately, the moment to moment beats of the show are often way off.  The actors are hardly connecting with one another.  The entire cast seems a little lost or going in different directions all at once. Strange too is how the story telling just stops when people sing.  My guess is the director was more concept focused than character focused.  The British are MUCH better at these re-inventions than we are. They seem to meet the micro with the macro at its most potent point.  This is under served with the micro.

It doesn't help that the Audrey is not a very strong actor,  but she does successfully break the Greene mold and when she does hit the mark it's like a breath of fresh air.  I didn't miss any of the traditional quirkiness every actor cribs from the Greene playbook.

Amber Riley is having a lot of fun, and give the show the fun twist it needs. 

I'm glad I saw it,  I might even see it again.   But if you're stuck on how Little Shop should look or should  be played,  you'll miss the multiple success this production has to offer.

 

 

[Sunnyore]

Posted: 9/27/19 at 4:09am

I just saw it tonight and I personally enjoyed it a lot. I'm usually not too hard to please though and knowing it's a smaller theatre I definitely didn't go in with an expectation of an expensive set. I loved George as Seymour. During some scenes my mind did wonder how Groff will play the role when I see him next month, but I thought George was perfect for the role. I can understand some of the issues people had with Audrey and Twoey, but I still thought MJ and the puppeteers did a good job. Overall I found the musical funny like it's supposed to be and was entertained. I'd gladly see it again too if the opportunity arises. 

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 3:53pm

I know the reviews haven't been stellar with this production, but watching George and MJ absolutely crush "Suddenly Seymour" makes it seem pretty wonderful. Wow. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=224&v=pkUPUc4Q6bg

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 4:51pm

Mj Rodriguez is incredible, but George Salazar appears to be in a different production. At least from that clip.

[Almira]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 6:15pm

Saw it again last night...

This definitely falls in the category of “ Better to see and not be impressed, than miss and never know what the fuss was about “

[sm33]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 6:21pm

ModernMillie3 said: "I know the reviews haven't been stellar with this production, but watching George and MJ absolutely crush "Suddenly Seymour" makes it seem pretty wonderful. Wow.

I am one of the people who wasn't a fan of this production, but this number was definitely the highlight.

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 6:40pm

ModernMillie3 said: "I know the reviews haven't been stellar with this production, but watching George and MJ absolutely crush "Suddenly Seymour" makes it seem pretty wonderful. Wow.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=224&v=pkUPUc4Q6bg"

 

You're confusing American Idol vocal histrionics with the creation of character and singing appropriately.  Nothing about this production looks or sounds right. 

 

[Wildcard]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 7:02pm

I’m not seeing much chemistry between the two actors in that clip. They are singing the song beautifully but it feels as if the meaning of the song is lost. 

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 7:02pm

It called having an opinion, and it may differ from yours, but that doesn't mean its invalid or wrong. No need to be disrespectful and tell me I am confused. 

I loved it.

[Almira]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 7:42pm

ModernMillie3 said: "It called having an opinion, and it may differ from yours, but that doesn't mean its invalid or wrong. No need to be disrespectful andtell me I am confused.

I loved it."

You’re not confused. Both nights I saw it the audience went wild.  And the Pasadena crowd isn’t known for jubilant reactions.

The closed minded and traditional-minded will not the  see the successes in this production. They will simply moan and groan all night about how “this isn’t right”, “that’s not the way it’s done” blah..blah..blah.

This production is for the adventurous and forward thinking. Does it always reach its aims? No. Does it fumble? Yes. But for every potential head-scratcher there is  - like the plant - a “strange and interesting” new approach that shows a promise in the material we never would have seen.

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 10/2/19 at 07:42 PM

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 7:46pm

Thank you. I agree about the type of person who simply won't get it and just complain. Glad you enjoyed it!

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 10:26pm

Almira said: "The closed minded and traditional-mindedwill not the see the successes in this production. They will simply moan and groan all night about how “this isn’t right”, “that’s not the way it’s done” blah..blah..blah."

 

Being provocative or 'woke' for headlines-sake is not usually considered a positive, especially when reviews of this show have been a hot mess since they opened.

It's not about tradition or that we're all obsessed with Ellen Greene: It's about respecting the written material and casting actors who are capable of the role.  This isn't the case here.

Adventurous is one thing. Completely missing the point of what Ashman and Menken wrote is quite another.  

 Bottom line, this show will close unceremoniously.  If you want to see a strong production of LSOH, I suggest seeing the current Off-Broadway staging.

This whole thing reminds me a bit of the 2011 Fall of dueling Follies: One on Broadway, one at the Chicago Shakes. The only important difference being that neither of the two productions were dumpster fires.

 

That's not the case here.

 

 

 

Updated On: 10/2/19 at 10:26 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/2/19 at 11:08pm

i havent seen either production of LSOH; Im a longtime fan of the movie, was very underwhelmed by the Broadway version a decade ago. its a show with a great score and strikes me as more open to different interpretations/liberties than most. 

but without getting into all of that, this perfromance was simply lovely. it does appear that Salazar's Seymour is alot like his Michael- but Michael sounded good. And Mj Rodriguez does great stuff here. She makes this song her own and i really like her riffs and belts- im not necessarily proud of my original skepticism that she could pull off this score, but I am happily wrong. i think she nails this song. And they seem adorable together. i am impressed.

Updated On: 10/2/19 at 11:08 PM

[Almira]

Posted: 10/3/19 at 9:50am

Being provocative or 'woke' for headlines-sake is not usually considered a positive, especially when reviews of this show have been a hot mess since they opened.

It's not about tradition or that we're all obsessed with Ellen Greene:It's about respecting the written material and casting actors who are capable of the role. This isn't the case here.

Adventurous is one thing.Completely missing the point of what Ashman and Menken wrote is quite another.

Bottom line, this show will close unceremoniously. If you want to see a strong production of LSOH, I suggest seeing the current Off-Broadway staging.

This whole thing reminds me a bit of the 2011 Fallof dueling Follies: One on Broadway, one at the Chicago Shakes.The only important difference being that neither of the two productions were dumpster fires.



That's not the case here.

 

Haha!  You’ve pretty much proved my point.  YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS PRODUCTION.  All the professional reviews I’ve read have be positive to stellar.  Have you read the LA Times review?  Or will dismiss that as some “PC” conspiracy?

 

You're throwing around words like “woke,” and pre-judging that this isn’t the author’s original intention.  I SAW THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION... and this new approach will open the show to new and dynamic interpretations that will keep the piece vital and relevant... and FUN and ENTERTAINING. Unlike the same old dull rehash after rehash that keeps this piece stuck in a  life-sucking straight jacket.  I’m truly starting to suspect those who vehemently  denounce this production (especially those who haven’t seen it) simply can’t conceive of any approach that  allows non-white cultural influences.

 

The show will close CEREMONIOUSLY with sold out performances and cheering crowds... because it has been doing so for weeks now. It was never intended to run more than it’s scheduled run. 

 

But it go ahead and argue against something you haven’t seen... you won’t stop the public from buying tickets, you won’t stop the crowds from enjoying it, you won’t stop the possibilities for what this show can do or what people of color  can offer.

 

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 10/3/19 at 3:37pm

It's always funny how people bitch about shows they have never seen. Reminds me of the Tootsie freaks. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 10/3/19 at 5:17pm

"It's always funny how people bitch about shows they have never seen. Reminds me of the Tootsie freaks."

I saw Little Shop last weekend. It is far from the best production of this show, but it really is not bad. They're being adventurous is a good way (which is my way of saying it's not done by Ivo Van Hove). And I for one completely get the jitters the song was supposed to give me during that Late Late Show performance. The TV performance was actually better than the live one I saw, where MJ seemed to be having an off night in some scenes. She was great otherwise.

PS - invoking Tootsie on this particular thread... Phew! I saw Tootsie also. It really was and is crap. The problematic aspects of the show aside - the music is insidiously boring, characters are insultingly shallow compared to the movie, and even the costumes are hideous. It just looks it was hastily put together without any thought or care. Little Shop @ Pasadena is no Tootsie.

[Sethwp2]

Posted: 10/3/19 at 6:08pm

Almira said: "

...All basically the same. All less interesting than the one before it.
 

Not that this is a review of the Pasadena version we're talking about here, but... Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park did a London production that was not only very different, but most definitely not less interesting than ones before it.

Take a look:

https://youtu.be/PQa5EHfx-dg

https://youtu.be/UBe-_7czdGY
 

[emo_geek]

Posted: 10/4/19 at 11:54am

Saw the show last night and very much enjoyed myself. I pretty much agree with other posters about the unique elements that make this production shine- and only have a few gripes: 

-The sound quality (mixing?) at the Playhouse was terrible.

-The only permanent set pieces are a dumpster stage right (fine) and a completely unnecessary full sized convertible car stage left. The stage is too small to accomodate this car, and the parking of it makes about 40 seats partial view. I bought my tickets the day they went on sale- and about a monthly later I got a call that they had to move my seats as they were now "partial view". Even in my new seats, I struggled to see around the car. Many of the seats at the end of the rows in the front orchestra were empty as I guess they moved those people around too. As a theatre company who very much depends on ticket sales and subscriptions (they even made an announcement before the show stating that ticket sales don't cover everything and please subscribe) it baffles me that they would sacrifice that many seats for a set piece which was not necessary.

[Dkinny23]

Posted: 10/4/19 at 12:22pm

Interested in hearing thoughts from people who have never seen the movie or show in the past and are coming in totally blind. (I know that’s probably not many people haha)

I’m super excited to see this in about a week and a half (have seen the movie and broadway version many many years ago). I’m bringing my older brother who, for reasons unknown, has never seen it and knows almost nothing about the story. I see a lot of mixed reviews on here, and unfortunately most seem to lean in the negative direction which makes me sad. But I know a lot of these reactions are probably because it is such a different adaptation/interpretation of the material (at least that’s what I’m sort of gathering after reading this thread)

Also pretty disappointed that the set seems to be pretty minimal and not aesthetically pleasing - the few pictures on Instagram I’ve seen are fairly disappointing. But whatever, I’m really only going to see George Salazar so I think I’ll be happy either way.

Excited to report back on here after we see it!

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 10/4/19 at 12:47pm

Saw the show last night and brought a friend who was not familiar with the show at all.

First off, I do have to say that the company stressed (at the curtain speech) that this production is not a National Tour or a Revival in anyway--it is a stand-alone community/regional base production. They made that very clear as there has been some speculation that this was a revival or "West-Coast Revival" as some were calling it (even on this board).

Overall I enjoyed the show very much,but it's totally not your original style production. The cast was strong but each felt like they were directed to be in a production entirely different from one another. It's a hit as it has been pretty much sold out and prices have skyrocketed for whatever seats are left.

I say go see it just to enjoy the show and support local and regional theaters, but don't go in for a traditional production.

 

 

Updated On: 10/4/19 at 12:47 PM

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 10/4/19 at 10:33pm

Sethwp2 said: "Almira said: "

...All basically the same. All less interesting than the one before it.


Not that this is a review of the Pasadena version we're talking about here, but... Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park did a London production that was not only very different, but most definitely not less interesting than ones before it.

Take a look:

https://youtu.be/PQa5EHfx-dg

https://youtu.be/UBe-_7czdGY
"

Regent's Park was awesome.  Vox was a revelation.

[Sunnyore]

Posted: 10/5/19 at 1:57am

Dkinny23 said: "Interested in hearing thoughts from people who have never seen the movie or show in the past and are coming in totally blind. (I know that’s probably not many people haha)

I’m super excited to see this in about a week and a half (have seen the movie and broadway version many many years ago). I’m bringing my older brother who, for reasons unknown, has never seen it and knows almost nothing about the story. I see a lot of mixed reviews on here, and unfortunately most seem to lean in the negative direction which makes me sad. But I know a lot of these reactions are probably because it is such a different adaptation/interpretation of the material (at least that’s what I’m sort of gathering after reading this thread)

Also pretty disappointed that the set seems to be pretty minimal and not aesthetically pleasing - the few pictures on Instagram I’ve seen are fairly disappointing. But whatever, I’m really only going to see George Salazar so I think I’ll be happy either way.

Excited to report back on here after we see it!"

I liked it a lot when I saw it and the audience that night gave a standing ovation. Like someone said, pretty much most of the professional reviews have been positive too. I also went mostly to see George and he was awesome as Seymour so you won't be disappointed. I would like to see it again actually but the prices of the remaining tickets have skyrocketed so I'm just going to have to hold off until I see the Off Broadway version in a few weeks. And I've only seen the movie before this and so the ending twist was kind of a WTF moment for me a bit, but then I got the humor of it all. Your older brother should hopefully like it if he has a decent sense of humor. Enjoy!

Posted: 10/5/19 at 3:01pm

Any discount codes for this?  Does the Pasadena Playhouse do rush tickets, or has anyone gotten tickets through TodayTix for this?

[sm33]

Posted: 10/5/19 at 3:48pm

CB4Ever said: "Any discount codes for this? Does the Pasadena Playhouse do rush tickets, or has anyone gotten tickets through TodayTix for this?"

I bought tickets through TodayTix for this for $49 + fees and ended up with great second row seats, but that was before the show opened, so I doubt there's anything like that available for the remainder of the run. But TodayTix does have $20 rush tickets available daily.