By Michael P Coleman
Up until last night, I’d spent the bulk of the last six days listening to Aretha Franklin, wondering when the next generation of big voiced divas was going to step onto center stage and blow me away like The Queen Of Soul did.
I was delighted to find three of them in the current production of Little Shop Of Horrors, which opened last night at the Wells Fargo Pavilion and runs through Sunday, August 26. The entire production is a hoot and is based on the campy 1960s cult horror film, while most will probably recall the 80s remake.
Playing Crystal, Chiffon, and Ronnette respectively, Little Shop Of Horrors’ three Little Arethas call themselves Zonya Love, Destinee Rea, and Zuri Washington. But with pipes like they have, we should be calling them Tony or Grammy Award winners very soon.
Rea and Washington are making their Broadway At Music Circus debuts, while Love’s a veteran. From the ovations they received throughout the show, it was pretty clear that either of them can come back to Sacramento any time!
Jared Gertner shines as Seymour, the hapless guy who is thrust into the spotlight after stumbling across a cute little plant, Audrey II, that quickly reveals itself to be neither cute nor little. Sarah Litzsinger is adorable as Audrey, Seymour’s love interest who would give her all to make him happy. And on “Suddenly Seymour,” Litzsinger proves she’s got a voice to rival those of the show’s Little Arethas. Wow.
Jamison Stern floored me in multiple roles and with costume — and gender — changes that were so quick I wondered whether David Copperfield had joined the Broadway At Music Circus team. I’ve always wondered how Music Circus performers changed costumes so quickly. Last night, I was also left wondering where they made those changes!
Little Shop Of Horror’s music, by composer Alan Menkin (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Aladdin), is in the style of 60s Motown, doo-wop, and rock and roll, and is among his best work. You’ll be singing as you walk out. “Feed me, Seymour!”
And Audrey II, manipulated by Jordan Beall and voiced by Broadway and Music Circus veteran Ken Page, was so engaging that I chucked as I watered my houseplants this morning. “Don’t feed the plants!” I am STILL trying to figure out how the production team synched Audrey II’s movements with Page’s booming voice!
Little Shop Of Horrors is the final show of Broadway At Music Circus’ critically acclaimed 2018 season, and they’re going out with a bang. It’s been decades since I’ve been so wistful about summer winding down. Catch this hysterical show if you can.
Tickets for Little Shop of Horrors are available by phone at (916) 557-1999, online at tickets.com, or in person at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street in Sacramento. For more information, visit BroadwaySacramento.com.
Connect with Sacramento-based freelancer Michael P Coleman and Coleman Communications at michaelpcoleman.com, or or follow him on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP.
