Recall Audrey II and her insatiable appetite? Well, I hope you remembered to bring snacks to share as she feasted on the crowd during ULM’s School of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) performance of “Little Shop of Horrors” last week.
“Little Shop of Horrors,” a dark comedy rock musical, follows Seymour Krelborn, a shy, struggling florist who works at a run-down flower shop in a gritty neighborhood. Seymour discovers a mysterious plant, which he names Audrey II, that requires blood to grow. As the plant grows more sentient and craves greater sustenance, Seymour faces a moral dilemma, torn between his ambitions for success and love and the plant’s insatiable, deadly hunger.
Seymour’s downfall is caused by his flaws—his desire for recognition, fear of failure and willingness to sacrifice others for his own benefit. However, his tragedy is that he never set out to cause anyone harm; Seymour simply got caught in a chain of events that he could only witness.
Sophomore art major Ben Matherne’s facial expressions and vocal control perfectly encapsulated Seymour’s role as a tragic hero.
Matherne’s voice, once buzzing with happiness for finally being recognized, shook the auditorium with genuine fear and craziness. Listening to his voice and face turn into sincere panic as well as watching Matherne’s body curl in on itself as “the dentist” began describing the things he would “do to his mouth” felt like watching a professional actor on Broadway.
Senior accounting major Landon Morris played Orin Scrivello, Audrey’s motorcycle-riding, abusive dentist boyfriend. Orin has such a wacky personality, and Morris brought so much life and energy into his character.
“It’s been a blast to learn this character and start to see it all click on stage,” Morris said.
The voice of Audrey II, sophomore music major Je’Chauna Wilhite, frequently participates in VAPA since joining the program in the fall of 2023. Watching Wilhite’s rendition of the bloodthirsty, conniving wildcard of a plant that is Audrey II come to life was honestly such a joy.
Wilhite’s voice, brimming with attitude and sass, matched the arrogant movements that sophomore pre-dental hygiene major Kaleb Ballard, senior biology major Chloe Eagan and junior English major Garret Haas used to manipulate Audrey II’s massive hulk of a body.
Wilhite encouraged everyone to get out of their comfort zones just as she did for this character.
“I typically prefer to play roles that are meeker and milder, but this experience has revealed a whole other side of what I have to offer,” Wilhite said. “So, whatever it is that you want, ‘go get it!’”
Though the actors did an astounding job of bringing their characters to life, it is important to mention that on opening night, directors Greg Baccarini and Sarah Siereveld failed to mention that flashing lights frequently occur in Act II of the musical. This failed service caused one of the members of the audience to have a seizure during the play.
Neither director thought it was necessary to disclose this statement on opening night even though most mainstream movies include warnings about flashing lights for the health and safety of its viewers.
During the opening credits on night two, Siereveld made sure to “remind” the audience that in Act II, “there’s simulated gunshots as well as strobe lighting effects,” so if another accident occurred, they could not be held responsible.
Despite any negative views on the play from the first night, the next three performances went smoothly. Senior social work major Jazmin Gutierrez discussed her favorite part of the production.
“My favorite part of the play was when the plant ate Seymour,” Gutierrez said. “I was shocked that the musical did not have a typical happy ending.”
So much effort was put into “Little Shop of Horrors” by the cast, crew, band and production team, as showcased by the flawless execution of each act and the seamless transitions between each scene.
