Don’t Feed the Plants!

by on August 25, 2011

Photo by Jessica L. Roasa

This review is based on the cast that features Darrell Uy as Mr. Mushnik, Luis Marcelo as Seymour Krelborn, Maronne Cruz as Audrey, Tina Ramos as Audrey II, Roxci de Leon, Abi Sulit and Cassie Manalastas as the Three Girls, and Angelo Lantaco as Orin Scrivello. 

The play takes place at Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists, a run-down flower shop owned by the crotchety protagonist Mr. Mushnik (Darell Uy), with business partners Seymour Krelborn (Luis Marcelo) and Audrey (Maronne Cruz).

Business isn’t too good since the risk of catching an STD seems to be apparent in that side of town. All hope seems lost until Seymour reveals a mysterious plant. “[It’s] some sort of flytrap,” he says, holding it proudly.

He goes on to name the plant Audrey II (played by the deliciously insidious Tina Ramos), after his co-worker, for whom he’s got the hots for. Bizarre things start happening, such as a sudden business boom due to the attention Audrey II brings. Seymour pays a heavy price for the fame and fortune because in return, Audrey II wants blood—literally. Her appetite only grows, until Seymour is forced to bring actual human beings for her to eat.

Pause. Just a reminder, because I got confused and I’m afraid you might: Audrey is the girl and Audrey II is the evil plant.

From that point on, it becomes an internal conflict for Seymour: he’s torn between killing Audrey II, but giving up fame and fortune she’s brought (not to mention the attention of the original Audrey), or letting her live at the expense of innocent people’s lives. What makes things even more complicated is the budding romance between Seymour and Audrey that happens in the midst of it all.

The cast as a whole, performed very well. There’s undeniable chemistry between Darrell Uy’s Mushnik and Luis Marcelo’s Seymour—clearly shown in the duet Mushnik and Son. Also very chemical are the scenes Luis shares with Maronne Cruz’s Audrey. Maronne pulls off the role of the neurotic Audrey impeccably, and she blew me away in the solo Somewhere That’s Green.

Gelo Lantaco plays multiple characters, but he stood out as the sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello, who has the creepiest laugh in the Ateneo. Props, man. Roxci de Leon, Abi Sulit and Cassie Manalastas make up the trio of girls that provide comic relief as the play’s chorus, while exhorting money from Mushnik’s potential customers along the way.

Rounding out the cast is Tina Ramos who plays the evil Audrey II. Through a potent combination of make-up, contact lenses and Tina’s own acting skills, Audrey II’s deviousness comes across excellently. Let’s just say that we wouldn’t want that plant on our bedside tables—serious chills. Her voice is also a stellar standout, which unfortunately, is woefully underused in Little Shop.

BlueRep’s Little Shop of Horrors is highly recommended for those who want to see BlueRep’s triple threat thrive onstage, since this is a prime example of such. Also, to anyone who’s a fan of old monster movies (alluded to by the clever inclusion of 60’s pulp-style magazine in the set), this may very well be a classic homage to look forward to.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

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