Man-eating plant puts on show at Fowler Center

The ASU Theatre Department's newest production, "Little Shop of Horrors," opened Saturday to a packed house at the Fowler Center. Tickets sold out quickly as people crowded to see the comedic musical about blood-drinking plants, sadistic dentists and nerdy love set in the early 1960s.

"Little Shop of Horrors" is a musical comedy written by Howard Ashman with a score composed by Alan Mencken, and is based on a '60s B-movie that was later remade in the '80s.

It tells the story of a downtrodden flower shop employee named Seymour Krelborn (played by sophomore Matt Morgan) and his fortune-changing discovery of a "strange and interesting plant" with a thirst for human blood.

The plant, which he dubs "Audrey II," after his tacky-dressing object of affection, soon becomes his ticket to fame and fortune.

This fortune comes at a cost, however, as Seymour must kill people, chop them up and feed them to the talking flytrap.

Junior theatre major Aleigha Morton plays Audrey. Audrey is Seymour's coworker and love interest in the play. She suffers from an unfortunate fashion sense, terrible self-esteem and an abusive biker/dentist boyfriend (played by sophomore Michael Trevino).

Morton offered a performance creepily similar to Ellen Greene's role in the film, right down to the obnoxiously high-pitched voice.

Theatre professor Molly Simpson directed the play. The play also features music direction from Marc Sexton and choreography by associate professor of theatre, Stacy Alley.

The play includes 16 musical numbers, styled after the classic rock and roll and Motown music of the '60s, all of which are extremely catchy, as well as funny.

The performance by the cast was mostly great; although Trevino's portrayal of the giggle-gas huffing dentist was pretty weak, especially when compared to the awesome job Steve Martin did playing the same part in the film version.

Anthony Cole, a senior electrical engineering major and ROTC cadet from Jonesboro who attended the show on Saturday, said he thought the play was "very funny, very entertaining," and that it was "definitely not what I was expecting from a college production."

Cole said he was impressed by the set design, "especially the plant," which was voiced by assistant professor of theatre, Jeff McLaughlin and played by sophomore Ben Griffin.

He said that while a certain actor's performance "brought the play down a little bit," he thought that the acting was good.

Cole added that he attended Valley View High School with Morgan and that "he has never failed to impress me with his acting."

The cast was greeted with a standing ovation from the audience after the conclusion of the play.

Anyone who has seen and enjoyed the 1986 film version starring Rick Moranis would have definitely enjoyed this ASU production.

There are a few differences between the film and play, including some different songs, but it has the same black humor and great music.

If you enjoy music, comedy or theatre at all, it is a good bet you would have enjoyed this play.