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REVIEW: Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ blooms a darker green

Posted on June 25 by The Sleepless Critic

This sad little flower shop on Skid Rowe holds a secret.

From John Stone’s playfully ticking sound design to Erik D. Diaz’s fascinating ‘blooming’ set,’ Greater Boston Stage Company makes two things abundantly clear: Don’t feed the plants and everyone’s life should be narrated by a streetwise Greek chorus.

Directed with comic edge by Ilana Ransom Toeplitz and Chris Shin’s zany chorography, Greater Boston Stage Company continues horror comedy rock sci-fi musical, Little Shop of Horrors live and in person at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts through Sunday, June 29. This production runs approximately two hours with one intermission. Click here for more information and tickets.

Kayla Shimizu, Stephen Markarian and Bryan Miner in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Celebrating its 65^th anniversary this year, Little Shop of Horrors embarked on quite a journey to become the cult classic it is today. Originally based on Jack Cullier’s 1932 story Green Thoughts, Little Shop of Horrors was originally a 1960 B movie featuring a then lesser known Jack Nicholson before it was developed into a 1982 stage musical and then a 1986 musical film adaptation featuring Rick Moranis, Bill Murray and John Candy. The musical also introduced sadistic dentist Orin, portrayed by Steve Martin in the film.

It’s a seemingly simple tale about young love on Skid Rowe in a fledgling flower shop that houses a curious and unique breed of plant. Some critics have compared it to the daring tone of the cult classic, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ but Little Shop of Horrors is usually delivered with a more subtle brand of campy charm.

This wild tale is headlined by the sweet and sassy sounds of female Greek chorus trio Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronnette who pop up in the most unexpected places during the production. With few exceptions, the music, with lyrics by award-winning composer Alan Menken, have a catchy, rock n’ roll vibe including tunes that pay tribute to 60s girl groups.

Becky Bass, Corlandt Barrett and Pearl Scott in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

From casual street garments to flashy glam by Chelsea Kerl, these three dazzling vocalists certainly know how to make an entrance. Cortlandt Barrett as Chiffon, Becky Bass as Crystal and Pearl Scott as Ronnette are a tough, humorous, and street-smart trio who unveil the real ins and outs of Skid Rowe through harmony, kicking it off with the catchy signature track, Little Shop of Horrors and especially showing off their mellifluous vocals for Skid Rowe (Downtown).

The set of Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

With haunting and ominous illumination by Corey Whittemore, Erik D. Diaz combines creepy and dilapidated featuring vintage brick storefronts, beaten up garbage cans, a weathered Mushnik Florist sign, and an eerie projection screen splashed with blood at center stage. What Diaz does with the set is vivid, remarkable and transformative right down to its carefully timed shop bell. Set in the 1960s, Little Shop of Horrors is packed with 50s and 60s references such as I Love Lucy, Howdy Doody, Donna Reed, and Betty Crocker.

The cast of Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

The show has a gift for funny and ironic contrasts with a cast that has increasingly complicated motives. Wearing black-rimmed glasses, a baseball cap and a sweater vest, William David Kay stepped in for Stephen Markarian offering an earnest portrayal as Seymour, a sympathetic yet conflicted botanist. Anxious and occasionally clumsy, Kay emphasizes Seymour’s inherent, inescapable loneliness as he struggles to remain forthright and honest as the show progresses. He shines in the darkly tender number Grow for Me and in his awkward adoration for trusting, insecure and frequently unlucky Audrey, portrayed sweetly with a light accent and plucky charm by Kayla Shimizu. In a particularly comical moment, Seymour warmly hopes to take Audrey to “a fancy dinner at Howard Johnson’s.”

Photo of Kayla Shimizu, Stephen Markarian* and Bryan Miner* by Nile Scott Studios.

Shimizu’s lovely soprano vocals carry a lullaby or a soulful belt beautifully. She shares her simple, 50s domestic dreams in a funny and tender rendition of Somewhere That’s Green and with Seymour in a powerful rendition of Suddenly Seymour.

Stephen Markarian* Audrey II and Kayla Shimizu Photo by Nile Scott Studios.

Disheveled and desperate in colorful and busily patterned suits, Bryan Miner is wonderful as worn and frustrated flower shop owner, Mr. Mushnik. Tightly wound and barely holding onto hope, Miner’s Mushnik is especially clever with William David Kay as Seymour for the manipulative and comical calypso-infused number, Mushnik and Son. Mushnik may be too smart for his own good.

Audrey II, Stephen Markarian* and Bryan Miner* in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

I’ve seen a few versions of Little Shop of Horrors and this is the edgiest production I have seen. Jared Troilo works overtime to portray a number of satirical characters that are impressively goofy and fun. Troilo is next level sinister in a no-holds-barred performance as Orin, a belligerent, gyrating, narcissistic biker dentist punctuated by a berating sneer and a glottal “dull” utterance. It occasionally crosses the line from darkly funny to disquieting and overdone.

Becky Bass, Pearl Scott, Cortlandt Barrett and Jared Troilo in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

However, the real spectacle is Audrey II, the sly and soulful plant that changes everything. Anthony Pires, Jr. boasts versatile and grimly wise vocals as well as a gift for pleading exemplified in the rock number, Feed Me. Inventively manipulated by Sydney Grant, Audrey II is a comical and extraordinary specimen right down to bright colors and shiny, dangling teeth. Audrey II is handled in such an innovative, natural, and humorous way, the results are truly captivating.

Audrey II, Kayla Shimizu and Stephen Markarian in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Greater Boston Stage Company’s Little Shop of Horrors continues live and in person through Sunday, June 29 at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information, tickets, and for details about the Little Shop of Horrors raffle.

REVIEW: Yorick Ensemble’s dark and rollicking ‘The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals’ hums its own unique tune

Posted on February 22, 2025 by The Sleepless Critic

Imagine Office Space meets Little Shop of Horrors with a twist…and it only gets wilder.

Set in Hatchetfield in 2018 with a vintage vibe, Tom Marsh depicts polite yet direct office worker and everyman Paul. A particular man of few words, Paul is surrounded by people who cannot keep much to themselves until a mysterious astronomical event threatens to change everything.

Directed appealingly by Kari Boutcher with lively music direction by Elias Condakes, Yorick Ensemble continues horror sci-fi musical parody The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals through Saturday, February 22 live and in person at the Plaza Theater in Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. This production is occasionally not limited to the stage, contains adult content and language and runs one hour and 45 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Yorick Ensemble’s ‘The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals’ cast Photo by Toni Photography

Simply staged with rolling and portable props, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals is in part a musical, but if you are not a musical fan, do not let that deter you. The production delivers inside jokes for theatre fans as well as its own share of material for those who are not a fan of the genre. It has an appealing vintage flair while still fitting well in its contemporary setting largely due to excellent lighting and sound designer Michael Jay.

Silly, zany, and exceedingly funny fluctuating from cheerful to eerie without taking itself too seriously…at first. The musical numbers often dive head first into the absurd and range from sinister to upbeat and catchy with one example demonstrated in the creepily upbeat and catchy number La Dee Dah Dah Day which comes off cheery before morphing into a trance.

The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals delivers love triangles, family drama and more. Introducing Paul with feigned grandiosity, Marsh is sympathetic as Paul and shares some compelling scene time with Demi Dicarla as intuitive barista Emma. However, Marsh’s best moments have a darker tinge including the tormented struggle he endures in Let it Out.

With the exception of Marsh who exclusively portrays Paul, this bold and enthusiastic cast often uses improvisation to play to the audience while sliding into a number of different roles. Some of the roles may seem random, but will become crystal clear by the end of the production. It is entertaining to place which office coworker might seem all too familiar such as Kelly McGowan as obnoxious Ted or Katie Iafolla as discontented cat sweater-wearing office gossip Charlotte. However, Bradley Boutcher’s Alexa worshipping Professor Hidgens is a delightful scene stealer. Right down to the wild timber in his voice, Boutcher hints at all the mad scientists of 1950s films becoming wackier and more hilarious with each scene and culminating into an outrageous Show Stoppin Number.

The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals has its dark side which can feel uneven at times and is at its best when it is not taking itself too seriously. Approach this production with an open mind. Mixing and inspired by a smorgasbord of genres, it isn’t an easily defined production which leaves room for it to become its own darkly humorous creation that works.

Yorick Ensemble continues horror sci-fi musical parody The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals through Saturday, February 22 live and in person in the Plaza Theater in Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. This production is occasionally not limited to the stage, contains adult content and language and runs one hour and 45 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Natural and supernatural lessons in Company One’s ‘Haunted’

Posted on February 13, 2025 by The Sleepless Critic

What more could be haunting this haunted house?

Spiritually stuck in the Y2K era and in an often vacant house for the past 20 years, two indigenous brother ghosts long to rise to the great beyond and reunite with Creator and their ancestors. However, something more is haunting this house beyond the antics they use to chase prospective home buyers away. Using dance as escapism and as a way to cope, Bradley Lewis depicts an over the top Ash who never had the chance to grow up while older brother Aaron, portrayed with reticence by Chingwe Padraig Sullivan, carries a lot that he cannot move beyond as well.

Bradley Lewis, Katherine Callaway, Evan Turissini, Tanya Avendaño Stockler (Photo by Ken Yotsukura Photography)

Written, directed and choreographed by Tara Moses, Company One presents thought provoking horror comedy Haunted continuing live and in person in Rabb Hall at the Boston Public Library through Saturday, February 15. The show runs approximately two hours with one 15 minute intermission and tickets are available at a pay what you can basis. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Chingwe Padraig Sullivan, Katherine Callaway, Bradley Lewis (Photo by Ken Yotsukura Photography)

Y2K reigns supreme as two brothers are culturally frozen in time having never moved beyond Ash’s adoration of Britney Spears or Aaron rocking out to Creed since their deaths in 2003. However, Danielle Delafuente’s scenic design reflects how frequently time marches on as books, furniture and portraits change as the brothers imagine and fret over an all too predictable future. A nice touch is the ice film on the windows to indicate paranormal activity. However, the brothers often play music and can make the living see things, yet it is a wonder why the living do not acknowledge when Ash plays one song after another. Is the living so steeped in their world that they cannot hear or see what is playing on a boom box?

Elmer Martinez’s symbolic lighting and Aubrey Dube’s foreboding sound design builds intensity and keeps the lines of communication going embodying this unknown entity through flashing pink and purple lights, ominous chimes and illuminated images on the walls.

Evan Turissini (Photo by Ken Yotsukura Photography)

With the exception of the two brothers and JāQuan Malik Jones as Vincent, the remaining cast members portray a number of unlikable stereotypes. From a righteous Quaker to a scholarly intellectual historian, Evan Turissini often portrays these shallow characters with a mix of dark humor and audacity while Katherine Callaway and Tanya Avendaño Stockler become increasingly more manipulative with each newcomer. The ghosts often make assumptions everyone acts a certain way perhaps in fear of being disappointed. It might have been more intriguing if Vincent and the brothers saw more than one side of these characters.

Chingwe Padraig Sullivan, Katherine Callaway, Evan Turissini, Tanya Avendaño Stockler, Bradley Lewis (Photo by Ken Yotsukura Photography)

On the flip side, JāQuan Malik Jones delivers an impressive performance as level headed Vincent whose actions are anything but predictable. Lewis as Ash and Sullivan as Aaron share a likable rapport as paranormal brothers whose bickering and conflicts often stem from too much time together, but they also share a mutual respect partly due to this supernatural bonding time.

Chingwe Padraig Sullivan, JāQuan Malik Jones, Bradley Lewis (Photo by Ken Yotsukura Photography)

Haunted has some inconsistencies and may have benefited by a shorter run time, but offers a lot of educational insights into man’s connection to the land, indigenous culture, the Land Back movement, and how one can learn more and contribute to change.

Company One presents thought provoking horror comedy Haunted continuing live and in person in Rabb Hall at the Boston Public Library through Saturday, February 15. The show runs approximately two hours with one 15 minute intermission and all tickets are available at a pay what you can basis. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: New York City Indie Theatre Film Festival Short Films: Reilly Anspaugh and Daniel Rashid’s ‘Chauncey,’ Michael Quinn’s ‘Brooding,’ Rachel Handler’s ‘Unlucky in Love’ and more

Posted on February 23, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

The eighth annual New York City Indie Theatre Film Festival returned this year and ran from February 15 through February 18 at the Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre at the A.R.T/New York Theatres at 502 West 53^rd Street in Manhattan. Here are some reviews of a portion of the shorts. There are 34 films in all. Click here for more information and to see the winners of the festival.

Lindsey Hope Pearlman in ‘Placemat’ Photo by Lindsey Hope Pearlman

Lindsey Hope Pearlman and Sean Welski’s Placemat

Sometimes life can become a mundane daily grind.

Fueled by an upbeat and ultramodern score by Andrew Lynch, Lindsey Hope Pearlman as Lindsey fantasizes about a rich and exciting existence. Wearing glasses and a blue and yellow floral blouse by Elizabeth May, Placemat takes a humorous look at finding excitement in the little things with an effective twist.

Reilly Anspaugh and Daniel Rashid’s Chauncey

Zoe has a new boyfriend, but is also hiding a secret.

A different take on a coming of age tale blended with rom-com energy fueled by Daniel Rashid’s vintage, playful and catchy soundtrack, Chauncey is a charming story featuring Reilly Anspaugh, Daniel Rashid, Miya Kodama and Doug Tompos about what it is to reveal the real you and some things one does not have to outgrow.

Overdue

Two people facing a tough time encounter each other in a bar. Louis Robert King’s bluesy soundtrack and Jeanine Bartel and Howard Hendrix Powell’s playful chemistry make this production shine. Directed insightfully by Melissa Skirboll, Overdue boasts a myriad of meanings for two people searching for hope.

Anna Capunay’s Your Silent Face

Sometimes music can create change. Your Silent Face focuses on a Peruvian mother, depicted by Anna Capunay, who is struggling with the decisions happening within her family. Though the production addresses trauma, mental illness and depicts some family turmoil, Your Silent Face expresses each character’s point of view in a balanced manner. The production is lightened by the upbeat and retro rhythms of the Bootblacks.

Michael Quinn’s Brooding

Brooding is a searing drama and horror story about a talented nature photographer named Tara who is struggling. Her boyfriend Matthew, portrayed with a mix of stoicism and concern by Joseph Basquill, wants to get to the bottom of it. With an eerie sound design by Bailee Herrera, music by Griffin Robillard, and sound mixing by Devin Greenwood, Brooding has squeamish and haunting moments boasted by the cold stare, exhaustive mood swings and explosive temper notably portrayed by Hadley Durkee as Tara with an ending difficult to see coming.

Kwame Berry’s Ursula

Presented at first as a True Hollywood Story, Ursula is a drama about grief and trauma as a family fights over what to do with the family house.

Tiffany Adams depicts tough and driven screen star Ursula with finesse and LaVeda Davis makes a brief but lasting impression as Ms. Tate. Based on Kwame Berry’s Ursula: A Dysfunction in Two Acts, Kwame Berry’s complex portrayal as quiet, sympathetic, and mysterious Dominic make the character easy to root for as the production progresses. With an eerie and foreboding score by Vin Scialla and Darius James, Ursula is presented with originality, intrigue and a thought provoking revelation.

Rachel Handler’s Unlucky in Love

With upbeat direction by Catriona Rubenis-Stevens, Unlucky in Love is a lighthearted musical foray into one small town flash mob planner’s search for love with engaging narration by Imani Barbarin as Lucy Loveless. Rachel Handler as sensible Lisa Edmunds and Lashi as Wendy Lindell share breezy chemistry with a meaningful conclusion.

FILM REVIEW: A nail-biting, clever, and mostly unpredictable ‘A Quiet Place’

Posted on January 6, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

Talk about bone-chilling.

Though The Sleepless Critic does not usually tackle films, since awards season is here and Sleepless Critic is associated with the Screen Actors Guild Awards, a review will pop up here and there about a nominee. Emily Blunt has been nominated for Screen Actor’s Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actress in a Supporting Role for the post-apocalyptic horror film, A Quiet Place.

The Abbots are embarking on a quiet journey. Not by choice, but in fear for their lives. Every moment of this nail biting PG-13 horror flick will keep you at the edge of your seat. John Krasinski makes his directorial debut in A Quiet Place starring alongside his beautiful, IRL Emily Blunt, who has had a strong presence this awards season and was pregnant IRL during its filming. See the trailer here.

It may seem like too simple a premise that just might put you to sleep. Not a word is spoken for the majority of the film, but Krasinski makes some clever and bold choices to build the film’s tension to hair raising suspense. It’s a mostly unpredictable movie about the Abbot family trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Everyday tasks are harrowing under the threat of being attacked at the hint of any noise.

John Krasinki brings this world to life and is likable as a courageous father and husband. Emily Blunt is quite the warrior (especially in a perilous scene not to be revealed here), but it is Millicent Simmonds as Regan who is the real standout in this film, a young actress deaf in real life.

Screen Actors Guild Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, January 27. Photo credit to SAG

The 25^th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, hosted by Megan Mullally, will be broadcast on Sunday, January 27^. Click here for more information.

A Quiet Place is available for streaming on ITunes, OnDemand, on Blu-Ray, DVD, and where I found it – at my local library.

Go green with Cohasset Dramatic Club’s sci fi horror comedy musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Posted on November 17, 2018 by The Sleepless Critic

Cohasset Dramatic Club’s comedy horror rock sci fi musical, Little Shop of Horrors, offers two very important life lessons. Don’t feed the plants and everyone’s life should be narrated by a streetwise, Greek chorus. Punctuated by the sweet, sassy sounds of female Greek chorus trio Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronnette, Cohasset Dramatic Club opened its 98^th season with Little Shop of Horrors in all of its zany, outrageous glory on the Cohasset Town Hall stage in Cohasset, Massachusetts continuing through Sunday, November 18. Click here for more information and tickets.

Cohasset Dramatic Club Little Shop of Horrors cover

Directed by Lisa Pratt, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ continues through November 18! Photo courtesy of Cohasset Dramatic Club

Little Shop of Horrors, based on John Cullier’s short story Green Thoughts from 1932, has gone on to become a cult classic, with actors such as Jack Nicholson, Bill Murray, Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, and John Candy stepping into its various film adaptations. A remake is in the works as it celebrates its 60^th anniversary in 2020.

It’s a seemingly simple tale about young love on Skid Rowe in a fledgling flower shop that houses a curious, unique breed of plant. Some critics compare it to the campy tone of the another cult classic, Rocky Horror Picture Show, but Little Shop of Horrors offers a more subtle brand of campy charm.

The show has a gift for funny, ironic contrasts right down to the bright, cheerful set design by Mark Bono with scenic artist Denise Feeney. An ode to vintage 50s films of its time, Mr. Mushnik’s beautiful and pastel Floral Shop front seems hardly a place that belongs on Skide Row or Gutter as the name of a bar. With few exceptions, the music, with lyrics by award-winning composer Alan Menken, has a catchy, rock n roll vibe, some tunes an ode to 60s girl groups. From plaids to shimmering gowns, Colleen Craig as Chiffon, Michelle Margulies as Crystal and Cara Lee Chamberlain as Ronnette form a taut, humorous, street-smart trio, unveiling the real ins and outs of Skid Rowe through harmony, kicking it off with the catchy, signature track, Little Shop of Horrors.

With a distinctive, comedic voice and dark reading glasses, Jonathan Markella is a natural as Mr. Mushnik. Shrewd, sensible, and a bit dour, Markella’s take on the firm, yet fidgety Mr. Mushnik is a memorable one. He showcases his comedic chops best with Jordan Reymolds as Seymour in the clever number, Mushnik and Son.

Cohasset Dramatic Club Little Shop of Horrors Seymour

Jordan Reymolds as Seymour and Audrey II Photo courtesy of Cohasset Dramatic Club

With black glasses and a sweater vest, Jordan Reymolds is splendid as Seymour, a sympathetic, conflicted botanist. With a bit of a crackly speaking voice and a light city accent, he is ever the shy, unassuming nerd that actor Rick Moranis stepped into in the 1986 film adaptation. He shines in the darkly tender number, Grow for Me and his awkward adoration for Audrey, portrayed with stylish, effervescence by Adina Lunquist, exudes comic charm, at one moment he’s hoping to take her to “a fancy dinner at Howard Johnson’s.” Linquist is wonderful, her silvery soprano vocals carrying a lullaby or a soulful belt with equal skill. She shares her simple, 50s domestic dreams in Somewhere That’s Green and with Seymour who deliver a powerful rendition of Suddenly Seymour.

Brendan Smith rises to the occasion playing several roles including the outrageous, narcissistic biker dentist. Having portrayed The Monster in Young Frankenstein, his pliable, animated features master a multitude of roles in stride.

The real spectacle is Audrey II, the sly soulful plant that changes everything. With deep, soulful, animated vocals that harness a bit of Elvis and Robin Williams and skillfully manipulated by Mike Nakashima whose theatre history includes a part in Cohasset’s Avenue Q, Audrey II is an impressive specimen right down to its shiny, dangling teeth.

Directed by Lisa Pratt, Cohasset Dramatic Club presents Little Shop of Horrors through Sunday, November 18 at Cohasset Town Hall, 41 Highland Avenue in Cohasset, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and tickets. Learn more about Cohasset Dramatic Club by following on their Facebook page.