WHO IS AUDREY?

[broadway1564]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 11:17pm

I posted this on ALL THAT CHAT, also ... but I know some people don't visit ATC.

WELL, our community theatre snagged a contract from MTI summer 2002 ... so we are in production from LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at this very moment.

A very good friend of mine is directing the show and I, while at school, work to give her suggestions over the phone and picture her blocking in my mind. It's been VERY tedious, but I think it has really helped her.

Our Audrey has been having some difficulties ... she's never seen Ellen Greene and REALLY works not to watch the film so she can have her own characterization, but she is STRUGGLING with who Audrey is and what her relations are with everyone else in the show.

My friend has asked me to work with the actress and try to beef up her performance. I worked with her last summer in a production of Bye Bye Birdie, she was Rosie. I worked to beef up her performance and we really worked well together, so here I am again.

Also, so anyone have suggestions for exercises I could do with her. Things for her to remember ... ANYTHING.

You guys are so knowledgable, having seen this show in many forms. I really need some great suggestions! I don't mean to start a debate, but just tell me who AUDREY is to you and what she should convey to that audience.

Thanks & Have a Great Night!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 12:59am

The innocence of Marilyn Monroe with a little Christine Baranski thrown in.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 10:18am

Audrey can also be a bit like Roxie Hart, with a large dose of sweetness thrown in.

Audrey can also be a first cousin to Miss Adelaide from Guys and Dolls.

Audrey can even be like a somewhat younger version of Rose from The Golden Girls, but just a bit more streetwise and with a great singing voice.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 10:24am

Audrey is also a girl who gets hit and kinda likes it.

She used to wear degrading outfits to sling drinks at a place called 'The Gutter'.

She was raised by a poor single mother and has been looking for daddy ever since.

More than anything, she just wants to get out.

After your actress gets all of this, then she can add any sort of comic, ditzy inflections and line readings.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 10:36am

robbiej, you sure audrey kinda likes getting hit???????? i guess its possible, but I think she is simply afraid of not accepting everything her man dishes out....for fear of losing him

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 10:49am

I actually think that if she is indeed too afraid of the physical abuse, too much a victim, it becomes waaaaaaay too dark. one of the ways to combat against that is to not shy away from the S&M type relationship she and Orin have. There are many many reasons to end up in an S&M relationship and one of the unhealthy ones is a severely low self-esteem. But that doesn't mean that the submissive does not derive pleasure from this. Audrey's not a virgin and, to keep from believing that she's been repeatedly raped by Orin, we have to believe that she is consenting in some way in this relationship.

At least that's how I would play it!

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 12:17pm

Robbie,

No offense, but the way you'd play it, would simply defeat the whole purpose of "Suddenly Seymour". If she was consenting to some extent with the abuse, and enjoying the "activities" with Orin, why should we, or anyone else feel sorry for her? I think the main issue with Audrey is the self-esteem issue. That, and the fact that she has a very fragile mind. And a pathetic outlook on life. She thinks that she does not deserve any better, and that this is what is expected of her to maintain any sort of meaningful relationship, (so she thinks) with a man. Remember, she quotes/sings: "Daddy left early..." in Suddenly Seymour. That is a very important lyric. I see that Audrey is still looking for that father figure as well as a lover. Someone to take care of her. Besides, what's the whole point of "Somewhere That's Green"? She even replies to Mushnik when he asks her about why she's still with Orin, who is no good for her, that "He makes good money...." And no, Audrey would not even in the slightest enjoy any abuse from Orin. She just puts up with it, to pathetically, hold on to the one man she thinks is good enough for her. Since, due to her low self-esteem, she thinks that no one else could possibly be good enough for her.
Ok, I am getting all misty eyed typing this....Audrey's life is so sad and pathetic. But anyway, I would definitely disagree with the fact that Audrey "enjoys" or "craves" any kind of abuse from Orin whether it be physical or sexual.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 1:01pm

I absolutely refuse to believe that someone whose low self-esteem causes her to mix up love, pain and sex does not deserve our sympathy. She doesn't believe she deserves much. People like that (TRUST me on this one) find a perverse enjoyment in getting what they think they deserve. The worst thing the movie version does is to allow Audrey to live. She may dream of a better life and she may even allow for a romance with Seymour...but would that life continue in the 'happily ever after' of the movie? I doubt it. And let's face it, Seymour ain't no prince. He sat by idly and allowed a man to die so he could feed him to the plant and then he murdered the only father he ever knew. And, classically speaking, he SO deserves to die. It's Faust, but with snappy songs and foliage.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 3:50pm

ok I don't think she enjoys being hit she mentions in the show she is scared to leave him and then when he's gone she wished he would be gone before it happened. I see it as she feels she deceivers this because of the life she has. But I still don't think she enjoys it she just doesn't feel like it's as bad as it really is. Audrey feels she can't get anything better because of where she lives and who she is. She's never had a male figure in her life and is looking in all the wrong places.

But she's just a girl with a big hart who wasn't this derma life that she got from the TV shows of the time. Because that's what she thinks life is anywhere but skid row. She's had a tuff life but she's not the kind of person who complains about it she just dreams for better but feel she'll never get a better life.

And your soo right the movie ending doesn't do the story justice at all. The first time I saw the show I was in 4th gread and I have loved it since because it's not like all the other shows with the happy endings and all. That's what makes it so great!!

[sheekala]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 7:21pm

according to Ken Mandelbaum she ain't Kerry Butler. Sorry I had to....

[Al Dente]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 7:50pm

And I'll chime in with "I told you so"!

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 8:15pm

let's try to bear in mind that Audrey is as much in thrall to Orin as Seymour eventually is to Audrey II (the stronger personality not only punishes but somehow also rewards them)...that way "Suddenly" becomes a possible way out for both of them, if they had the strength and self-esteem to make a better choice and end up together. As to your tutee, BWAY 1564, i'd work with her on what is funny in her own personality, every day, that she can incorporate into Audrey's. Otherwise you only get a good mimic trying to use someone else's style. If she does need to borrow a style, go a little further back so it won't be so familiar...try Judy Holliday in BORN YESTERDAY and BELLS ARE RINGING. She has a good mix of vulnerability and soft sassiness that a born victim like Audrey needs...Judy is constantly bouyed by hope so when the happy ending doesn't come she can truly tear our hearts out.

[lensman55]

Posted: 10/3/03 at 9:02am

>Audrey is also a girl who gets hit and kinda likes it.

No! Audrey is a girl who gets hit and thinks it's what she deserves!

[PennyLou]

Posted: 10/4/03 at 12:36am

"No! Audrey is a girl who gets hit and thinks it's what she deserves!"


Pist.. It's been stated lol just kinding but i'm glad you agree with me.