It is almost impossible to be disappointed by anything the Santa Maria Civic Theatre does lately.
The theater, now in its 60th season, is a solid producer of community theater, presenting an array of impressive comedies, dramas, and musicals. But it's their musicals especially that seem to attract strong talent, a key to good local theater. Little Shop of Horrors is an excellent example of this; the show is filled with bright spots of talent who rise above all expectations to deliver a performance that would hold up under the bright lights of Broadway.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Little Shop is a romp through early 1960s pop culture, complete with a fixation on low-budget scare tactics. The original movie was made in 1960 and directed by camp king Roger Corman. The tale revolves around Seymour (Jaime Espinoza), a nerdy floral shop worker who pines for the beautiful Audrey (Jordan Mills) as they work in Mr. Mushnik's (Josh Michelsen) store on Skid Row. Audrey is tormented by her warped and sadistic boyfriend, the dentist Orin Scrivello (Jim Dahmen) while Seymour toils on his mysterious new plant. Their story is righteously regaled by a trio loosely forming a makeshift chorus, Crystal (Lynda Mondragon), Ronnette (Kimberley Washington), and Chiffon (Angelica Jeunke).
The original film didn't have any musical numbers; that happened in 1982 when Alan Menken and Howard Ashman brought it to the stage. In 1986, a musical comedy of the same name was produced starring Rick Moranis as Seymour and Steve Martin in a now infamously classic performance as the deranged dentist. The musical numbers are some of the most well-known and oft-performed songs in theater history. They are also known for being some of the most difficult, and the Civic Theatre performers pull them off with ease and finesse.
One of the first numbers is "Skid Row" a big song with a lot of moving parts, and each cast member executes their part with precision and enthusiasm. Each one of the women in the chorus is a gifted vocalist, and Washington is simply magnetic with a silky voice that exudes confidence and charm with every note.
Espinoza is a raw talent who is at times adorable and electric, a dazzlingly gifted artist who makes everything he does look effortless. Mills nails Audrey's vulnerability, but it's her voice that will stay with you long after the curtain drops (OK, the theater doesn't actually have a curtain, but you get the point). The titular line in "Suddenly, Seymour" requires a big powerhouse voice, one that can send a chill down your spine. I am pleased to report when Mills hit the note, my spine wasn't just chilled, it was practically frozen. "Somewhere That's Green" is one of the best torch songs in theater history (and my personal favorite), and Mills tackles it with a crisp perfection that shows the young college student is definitely on the right career path.
Michelson is well cast as the gruff and sleazy Mushnik and has great chemistry with Espinoza (I could easily see them as Leo Bloom and Max Bialystock in The Producers). The funniest moments come from someone largely unseen for most of the play. LaRonda Lewis (who is also a professional clown known locally as Jolly NOSE-It) plays the full-grown plant Audrey II. Her moments are some of the best in the production, providing huge laughs as she terrorizes Seymour and his fellow Skid Row residents.
The biggest laughs come courtesy of Dahmen, playing a dentist hell-bent on torture. Also, bless the wigs of community theater. Without them, we would all be lesser beings.
Another impressive part of the show is the set, complete with several large moveable pieces. There is so much finesse and detail in the construction it becomes an integral part of each performance. Little Shop is a perfect example of the powerful talent at all levels within the cast and crew of the Santa Maria Civic Theatre.
Arts and Lifestyle Writer Rebecca Rose is somewhere green. Contact her at [email protected].
