My very own LSOH review thread (with spoilers)

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 11:14am

Do I think I’m special and fabulous enough to have my own LSOH review thread, instead of posting on another? DAMN RIGHT

This production of LSOH is like every other production of the show. From the two tenements flanking either side of the stage to much of the staging, this IS your mother’s LSOH, and that’s the way it should be. This show is based on too specific a genre that any radical re-interpretation (a la Hytner’s CAROUSEL) would have been truly foolish. So the production of LSOH is fine…all things considered. Let’s consider those things, shall we?

What, if any, reason is there to see a show we all know better than the backs of our hands? Why, the performances, of course. And that is where this production falls apart.

I promised myself I would not compare Kerry Butler (of whom I’m a huge fan) to Ellen Greene (of whom, though I like her Audrey, I’m a little scared). But when Ms. Butler is made to look like a carbon copy of Ms. Greene, comparisons are inevitable. When I heard Ms. Butler was cast, I was thinking that she would base her characterization on Audrey from the original Roger Corman film. It would have worked wonderfully for her. Alas, she did not. I truly did not think she would end up being Penny from the Block, but, alas, she was. Don’t get me wrong. There were moments, though rare, that were lovely. Her comical slant on ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ led to a surprisingly wistful ending that proved moving. Her work in the scene before ‘Suddenly Seymour’ was spot on. Although the characters are dealing with huge, deeply felt emotions, the words are ridiculous, which is where the humor of the scene lies. Her honest delivery of this scene found the true human comedy of the moment. But most of the time, she just played at the jokes. I must say I did miss Ms. Greene. I didn’t miss her lisp, her wiggle or her nodes, but I missed her honesty of emotions, specificity of character and…well…her nodes. Ms. Butler sings very healthily and clearly. It’s a focused voice, not the raspy, gospel belt of a woman who’s seen it all. I want bleeding chords to go along with Audrey’s bleeding heart.

I was unclear as to whether Douglas Sills or Joanne Worley was playing the part. That’s rude, I know, and I truly do not have a problem with obviously gay actors playing ‘straight’ roles. It doesn’t really bug me. What does bug me, however, is the de-sexing of a character that is so clearly a sado-masochist. Hetero sex, homo sex, I don’t care. Just don’t give me no sex. And yes…holding a note for the sake of showing off is obnoxious, unnecessary and should be discouraged. He did fare better with some of his other characters, namely Ms. Luce. It had the specificity needed to make it truly funny.

And then there’s Hunter Foster. I have never been a fan of Mr. Foster. Not as Roger, not as Bobby Strong and now, not as Seymour. Truth is, I don’t think he’s a particularly good actor. He’s brought the same self-knowing quality to everything I’ve ever seen him in. It does not work for either Bobby Strong or Seymour. There’s always a sense that the actor is showing instead of the character is experiencing. He milked moments in this show for a remarkably long time and the payoff was nil. His singing voice was loud and strong (like his sister’s), but there was no nuance or ability to express the character. It was incredibly disappointing because not only is Seymour the comic Lear of musical theatre (and has a mini ‘Rose’s Turn’ in the middle of ‘The Meek Shall Inherit’), but there are myriads of young actors, both known and un-, who would be brilliant as Seymour.

The good news? The plant is outrageous, although the ‘big’ ending did make me feel like I was on a ride at Epcot. And the BEST NEWS of the show is the urchins. Those three girls are just absolutely terrific (although they, and the whole cast, sometimes get overwhelmed by the over-amped, over-done orchestrations). They are full of exuberance, bringing powerful voices to their pitch-perfect characterizations. It made me wonder what perfectly cast unknowns would have done. Let’s face it. People are not going because of Mr. Hunter, Ms. Butler or the girl from CAMP. They are going for the show. LSOH is a well-known, well-liked brand that could succeed with the biggest names or the biggest nobodies in this business.

Finally, I can’t help but feel that this show never belonged on Broadway. The thing that was so special about this show is that it was heartfelt camp with rough edges. But Broadway don’t go for rough edges (nor do they go for booze and dope…wait…that’s Hollywood). So we get a slick, polished production that sands away all the wonderful cracks in the plaster. It was professional, it was even, at times, enjoyable. But, in the end, my smile was shallow and my heart was a little empty.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 11:26am

beautifully written and funny and charming robbiej, thankyou:)

I loved reading your review.

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 11:31am

Very well said, Robbie. I agree on many accounts (although I didn't find the urchins as special as you did). I love that "Penny From the Block" line.

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 11:33am

Robbiej....beautiful post.

Although I have to disagree with a few things you said, and it hurts me, because I almost always agree with you. And it's minor things. I just wouldn't go as far as saying that Hunter is a bad actor. I do agree that he is too self-knowing, and I don't feel anything for him, as I made a point in saying in my review of it.

Kerry suffers from the same problem, particularly in the beginning of "Somewhere That's Green", and the scene that preceeds it. I do think she nailed "Suddenly Seymour" although she can cut all the unneccessary riffling...like she was Mariah Carey or something...Al Dente, I DO agree with you there. Her voice is powerful and strong enough, and she has one of the most beautiful natural high belts I have ever heard. But I think that her acting is fine...she just needs to fine tune her characterizations.

As for everything else you said in your post...I TOTALLY agree. Especially about those HOT urchins.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 11:54am

Thanks, y'all. The encouragement is wonderful and means a lot!

B-boy...we actually don't disagree too much. I would never call Mr. Foster a bad actor. Hasselhoff in J&H was BAAAAAAAAD. Hunter is professional, smart and he does his job. I just don't think it's particularly deep or varied, the qualities I associate with good actors.

I also was ready, willing and able to go with Kerry's different Audrey, but the design and direction really let her down. She needed the freedom to go completely out there...and it just wasn't her's to have. Pity, because, other than Heather Headley, I thought she would be the one to give us a new and zany Audrey to love. FREE KERRY!!!

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:07pm

so who is playing the multi-roles? i take it that is the reference for "Douglas Sills or Joanne Worley" of which i'm still trying to imagine the DNA-splicing ...

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:12pm

Sills plays all those roles. With NO variety whatsoever, which actually could have been funny, had it been a choice.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:13pm

Bottom Line:

Let me start this by saying I Love Robbiej

but...

Friends of mine were there a few nights ago...they loved it ..the crowd loved it…kids and adults walked away happy..

When I told them about the mixed reviews on this board (and told them how I was never a fan of the show, Ellen Greene makes my teeth hurt, and enjoyed this production immensely) their response was:

Pause

“Its’ F***** "Little Shop Of Horrors", for gods sake…......Not “Strange Interlude” or “Streetcar named Desire” or “ West Side Story”….I mean if you had fun, then the cast and crew did their job.... period!”….

I love robbiej and am sorry he didn’t like most of the show…but it’s almost certain that..

This is gonna be a hit…

Another Friend of mine (who goes to every show of everything) also went to see it a day ago and liked it very much and asked this question:

"If Ellen Greene was so freakin' great, how come this woman never had a starring role in any other film, never had a hit record or a starring role of substance on Broadway?"

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:20pm

Well, your friend who made the Ellen Greene comment was an idiot. Just because some actors make it big doesn't necessarily mean that they are some huge talent - (i.e. Melanie Griffith) and the same goes in the reverse. Ellen Greene is tremendously talented and it is a shame that she didn't get the huge publicity that she deserved. Furthermore, if she wasn't so talented, why was she the ONLY one that they took from the original cast to play Audrey for the movie? They could have cast anyone else in that part, but they retained her, and that is because she brought something to the role that no other actress could. No offense to you, Anth.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:24pm

i put LITTLE SHOP and GREASE in the same category: a lot of fun, usually like an ATM machine for revenue, and open to a lot of forced casting in the name of "energy." i just hadn't heard Sills was in it and am kind of surprised. i do think Ellen Greene can act and has an interesting singing voice. i'd like to see Butler and Foster but i'm not sure i want to see that vehicle again.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:25pm

She makes my teeth hurt!

Sorry!

LOL!

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:28pm

Voiceanth,

I will in no way disagree with you. The audience went nuts and it's going to be a HUGE hit. No doubt.

But I fully admit to being...what's the word...obsessive about these things. I'll never forget, in my freshman year of college, one of our instructors told us we will never be able to watch theatre again without a critical eye. And it's true, which makes things difficult sometimes. But I've also discovered that when I find the things I truly believe are special, it affects me more than I could ever have imagined.

I enjoyed the show much in the same way I enjoyed MAMA MIA...from a distance. I certainly laughed and those urchins truly gave me goosebumps. But, like the meal I had before the show, in the end, I wasn't competely satisfied. And that's OK.

As for Ms. Ellen Greene, she's bat**** crazy. Complete loony tune. In fact, she wasn't even the first choice for the original Little Shop. Some girl named Faith Prince was cast, but opted to do a Broadway show instead. So WACKY Ellen Greene was cast and became a hit...for that one performance, at least.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:36pm

Bat**** crazy? Well now...There's a whole new expression to add to my repetoire.

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:38pm

One of my all time favorites, Amneris.

Use it with abandon!

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:45pm

Robbiej! How DARE you talk about Ellen that way! How DARE you!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:46pm

Is she really nuts..nuts like in, on meds, nuts or just wacky nutty?

much love to robbiej

Voiceanth Updated On: 9/11/03 at 12:46 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:52pm

Another great post, Robbiej. You really have a way with words and know how to make your point.

I wonder though, whatever happened to Helen Lawson? She had quite a career for a while and then just disappeared. I'll never forget sitting front row center watching her belt out "I'll Plant My Own Tree" oh so many years ago. Truly, an unforgettable moment in theatre history. Talk about a dynamo. Did she ever do Rose?

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 12:57pm

She's ADORABLE nuts. Like all theater people are. And no, she's not a huge star, but she NAILED the role of Audrey and the current production is lost without her.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 1:00pm

So, does the fact that Jennifer Lopez is hugely successful, make her hugely talented? I think NOT! Just because Ellen Greene isn't a household name, doesn't mean she isn't brilliant. it just means she didn't have a brilliant publicist. I'm personally offended by the swipes against Ellen. Those of you, who DARE to bash her, are the reason why there is so much mediocrity on Bway and in the entertainment industry, in general.

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 1:02pm

OMG! Al, if you weren't being sarcastic, I agree with you completely.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

Updated On: 9/11/03 at 01:02 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 1:03pm

Helen’s big show was called

"St. Cyr"

It was about stripper Lily St. Cyr’s demented Aunt Clara….

You remember the 11:00 clock number

“Clara’s Revolution”….

They just did a revival of it with the soemwhat miscast Hillary Duff.

Neely however went to TV and did the ill-fated

“The Neely O’ Hara Show”

She sang with everyone from newcomer, soon to be legend, Bonnie Straussbaum and even Neely's own daughter, Lisa Casablanca.

Lisa, of course, went on to star in "Nightclub". She won an Oscar for that one.

Updated On: 9/11/03 at 01:03 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 1:04pm

Well...from the folks I know who produced her in stuff, she was WACKY nuts...but, to some, in an aggravating way. Some didn't want to work with her after that and others felt she was a true talent and would just deal with the wackiness. And let's remember, she was not just an overnight sensation. Girl had been around for a while. Let's face it, starring in RACHAEL LILLY ROSENBLOOM AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT could send anyone over the edge!

Sueleen,

There aren't enough musical numbers set it a big mobile anymore, are there? Pity.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 1:05pm

Ellen is being sought after to appear on Vh1's new show:

"One show wonder"...

The names says it all!

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 1:05pm

I never saw Ellen onstage but I didn't like her at all in the movie. It felt like she was doing exactly what she did onstage (I would imagine anyway) and it didn't blend at all with what the other performers or the director were doing. It's like she's in her own world, giving a stage performance while everyone else is in a movie whenever I watch it. Maybe she fit the stage production better. Updated On: 9/11/03 at 01:05 PM

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 1:07pm

Balladeer, I am NOT being, even the SLIGHTEST bit sarcastic. So, we are finally in total and complete agreement! I'm REALLY offended at ANYONE slagging off a major talent like Ellen Greene for the daft reason that she's not "selling soda pop".