Review: A "Thriller" Time with "Little Shop of Horrors" @ Bass Hall (7.7.09)

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/8/09 at 9:59am

CAST
Seymour.....Nick Blaemire
Audrey.....Gina Milo
Mushnik.....Stephen Berger
Orin, et al..... Edward Staudenmayer
Voice of Audrey II.....Michael-Leon Wooley
Crystal.....Natalie Renee
Chiffon.....Adrianna Hicks
Audrey II Puppeteer.....Parker Fitzgerald

HOW I GOT TIX
About a week and a half ago, my Theatre teacher emailed me saying that she wanted to ask if I help out another teacher who received tickets for "Little Shop" @ Bass Hall. I said sure and who I needed to ask. She said I could go and I should invite other Theatre students. That's it basically.

THE SHOW
The show opened with the Prologue and title song and as soon as the urchins came out, the crowd went wild. At the end of the song, I tried to remember the lyrics and I think they purposely skipped a verse, but IDK. The set was HUGE and included a rotating Flower Shop. I did not think that the Bass Hall would fit the standards for "Little Shop". I always thought it should be on a small stage, but it was big and they really took advantage of the big space. I think (based on images from the tour) this set was better than the "Legally Blonde" set (which coincidentally will be at Bass Hall next month). Seymour and Audrey were marvelous! I haved not heard or seen better people in the role. However, I felt a litle uncomfortable when Audrey sang because I was so used to hearing Kerry Butler on the Broadway recording... but that's just me. Mr. Mushnik and Orin were good... but not that great. Mr. Mushnik had some moments were he mumbled and slurred and Orin's "laughter" was really awkward. I was very excited to see who played the voice of Audrey II. I have been a fan of Wooley since I saw him in Dreamgirls. When Act Two was about to begin, the lights dimmed and suddenly out of nowhere zombies were coming out of the aisles and some were jumping onstage. I was all like "what the hell is this?" As soon as they stopped, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was playing. The audience went WILD!! Every time they did a signature move, the audience went wild, also. I had no idea where these people came from. The stage manager came on stage and said "Give it up for one of our sponsor's, Hangman's of Horrors!" The zombies were part of the cast to this popular attraction here in FW who sponsored the show. This was one crazy night... but I'll never forget it. :)

SMALL INFO ABOUT CAST
*Nick Blaemire was Whiffle in "Cry-Baby" on tour and on Broadway, and Abraham in the 1st nat'l tour of "Altar Boyz"
*Gina Milo was an understudy for Eponine on Broadway in "Les Miz" and has done multiple Off-B'way plays/musicals.
*Michael-Leon Wooley will be starring as a major character in Disney's new movie musical, "The Princess and the Frog" and can also be seen as Tiny Joe Dixon in the movie musical, "Dreamgirls". He also did the voice of Audrey II on B'way.
*Steohen Berger has been in "Little Me", "Laughter On The 23rd Floor", "Into the Woods", and "Pajama Game" on B'way.
*Edward Staudenmeyer was last seen as Sir Galahad in "Monty Python's Spamalot" in Las Vegas and played opposite Martin Short in "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me". He has also been associated with Forbidden Broadway.

[Maceman91]

Posted: 7/8/09 at 12:52pm

This makes me really excited to see the show! I'm seeing it a bit later in the week was wondering the exact same thing about having a large stage and auditorium for what I considered to be an intimate show. I really hope they do the Thriller routine when I go. It's sad that tickets weren't selling and the had to drop the price so low though. :[

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/8/09 at 5:38pm

HAHA. PM me later after you see it and let me know what you think! :)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/8/09 at 5:46pm

This makes me laugh.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/8/09 at 6:51pm

Hmm...this makes me more nervous about seeing it Sunday...

Edward Staudenmeyer was also Hickory/Tin Man in the production of Oz that was done in 2002 with Jessica-Snow Wilson as Dorothy.