Little Shop of Horrors
at Westfield High School

Reviewed on May 10, 2014

Gavin Moore
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

The run-down Skid Row is full of suspicious characters, but an even greater threat can be found in Mushnik's flower shop, where a ravenous venus flytrap possesses a hunger for human blood. In an alluring production of Little Shop of Horrors marked by infectious energy and lively characterizations, Westfield High School questioned just how far one man would go to woo the love of his life and achieve ultimate fame and fortune.

Little Shop of Horrors, based on the 1960 'B-movie' film of the same title, was written by the famous duo of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, and opened off-Broadway in 1982. Highlighting black comedy and upbeat doo-wop tunes, the campy horror musical follows Seymour, an employee at Mushnik's Skid Row Florists who spends his days creating hybrid plant species and vying for the attention of his co-worker crush, Audrey. But when Seymour obtains a venus flytrap-like plant and achieves celebrity status, his life quickly spins out of control as the man-eating Audrey II thirsts for blood to grow in size and strength.

Helming the show, T.J. Vinsavich was captivating as the geeky-but-lovable Seymour, enthralling the audience with superb comedic skills and vocal prowess. Vinsavich appropriately conveyed his character's moral dilemma with conviction, and his chemistry with leading lady Samantha Dempsey was charming in "Suddenly, Seymour." As Audrey, Dempsey proved to be a vocal powerhouse, showcasing a phenomenal belt and smooth tone in "Somewhere That's Green," while simultaneously mastering a Jersey-girl accent. Dempsey's acting abilities were also excellent as she maintained the ditzy persona of the beautiful blonde while also highlighting her character's inner struggles.

Numerous supporting actors had standout performances and contributed to the fervent hilarity of the production. Eni Oyeleye as the cantankerous Audrey II provided one of the most memorable performances of the night, despite never appearing onstage. Oyeleye's smooth baritone and hilarious delivery of lines was truly impressive, especially in his first big number, "Feed Me." As abrasive flower shop owner Mushnik, Zack Walsh demonstrated impeccable comedic talent and superb vocals in "Mushnik and Son." Twins Brandon and Julian Sanchez both gave outstanding performances: Brandon as Audrey's sadistic boyfriend Orin Scrivello, and Julian in a number of smaller roles, including a woman and a steadfast businessman. Brandon portrayed the demented, greaser dentist with ardor and ambition, showcasing a phenomenal voice in "Dentist," while Julian was absolutely hysterical in each of his smaller roles, wonderfully maintaining different personas for each. The ensemble of the Trashettes, a girl-group trio who also serve as narrators, demonstrated fantastic camaraderie, beautiful harmonies and serious doo-wop skills.

Brilliant technical aspects stood out as true highlights of the production, giving the show a professional air. Set design was truly impeccable, keeping a beautiful and cartoon-like aesthetic. The show boasted a massive number of costumes, from slinky, sequined cocktail dresses for the Trashettes to leopard-print high heels and slippers for Audrey, each beautifully designed and crafted. The show's lighting design and effects, including a number of gobos and spotlights, were absolutely stunning and brought Skid Row and its inhabitants to life, while a remarkable orchestra handled the show's score masterfully. Most impressive were the spectacular props, notably the elaborate puppets used to depict Audrey II and its transformation from a small potted shrub to a huge, carnivorous plant.

In the end, Seymour learns tragically that fame and fortune can consume even the purest, kind-hearted of souls. Featuring marvelous technical elements, soaring vocals and boundless enthusiasm, Westfield High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors truly satisfied the audience's appetite.

Yena Seo
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

It's dinnertime for Audrey II; as the man-eating plant continues to grow and devour human blood, guts and gore, the fate of the human race rests in the hands of one timid gardener. Featuring seedy characters, dazzling technical elements and amazing puppets, the talented cast and crew at Westfield High School explored love, fame and fortune in their delightful production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Based on the 1960 black comedy film of the same name, Little Shop of Horrors was written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken and opened off-Broadway in 1982 to huge box office success. Set in urban Skid Row and featuring upbeat Motown-style tunes, the horror rock musical chronicles the life of Seymour, a downtrodden flower shop employee who is hopelessly in love with his co-worker, Audrey. When Seymour obtains a mysterious plant which he names after his crush, he quickly gains success, but is also forced to decide whether this newfound fame is worth continuing Audrey II its favorite meal: human flesh and blood.

Spectacular technical elements stood out as highlights of the production, bringing Skid Row to life onstage. A stunning set, almost professional in construction, was created with great attention to detail, from cartoonish windows to a grimy dumpster. The stage crew swiftly executed scene changes with tremendous ease, while a pit band tackled the show's difficult score and worked with sound technicians to ensure all performers could be heard. Exquisite props were flawlessly and intelligently implemented throughout the show, and the numerous, elaborate puppets of Audrey II were all brilliantly designed. A kaleidoscopic range of costumes, from the Trashettes' sequined outfits to Orin's greaser garb, depicted the vibrancy of characters and worked appropriately with hair and makeup. All of these elements shone under the prismatic lighting design, which was skillfully executed and featured a number of dazzling gobos, spotlights and strobe effects.

At the helm of the show, T.J. Vinsavich and Samantha Dempsey anchored the production with infectious enthusiasm and endearing chemistry. Vinsavich was magnetic as the adorably awkward Seymour, boasting impressive vocals and capturing the character's self-conscious personality effectively. Dempsey embraced the campy nature of the show and demonstrated fearless dedication to her role, utilizing a high-pitched Jersey accent and maintaining a cute, jittery persona. Dempsey showcased lovely vocal technique in "Somewhere That's Green," and the chemistry between the two leads was utterly charming, most notably in "Suddenly, Seymour."

Supporting actors added to the fervor of the production with exceptional performances. Eni Oyeleye, while never visible onstage, voiced Audrey II with sass and attitude, hysterically portraying the demanding plant with his hilarious, booming delivery of lines and enthralling singing, particularly in "Feed Me." As the maniacal Orin Scrivello, Brandon Sanchez played the sadistic dentist with strong character choices, also showcasing immense vocal prowess in "Dentist." Sanchez's abuse towards Audrey and his affection for affliction created an outstanding villain persona, and his outlandish dancing and comic abilities garnered uproarious laughter. Sanchez's twin brother, Julian Sanchez, portrayed his numerous characters with aplomb, from a businessman to the kooky Mrs. Luce, making the most of his brief but memorable onstage appearances. Zack Walsh provided further comedy and resonant vocals as shopkeeper Mushnik while the ensemble of the Trashettes showcased powerful harmonies, portraying different personalities while still remaining a cohesive unit.

Heralded by lively characterizations, striking technical aspects and sensational enthusiasm, Westfield High School's jubilant production of Little Shop of Horrors completely deserved its standing ovation. As long, green vines dropped from the ceiling, the cast and crew provided audience members with plenty of food for thought: "Don't feed the plants!"

Jordan Goodson
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Never trust a dentist, exotic botany is a growing market, and don't feed the plants: these are the lessons to be drawn from Westfield High School's incredible production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Originally a 1960 comedy horror film, Little Shop of Horrors was adapted into a stage musical by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman in 1983. The musical ran off-Broadway for five years and received numerous awards and revivals, with a Broadway production later premiering in 2003. The plot centers on Seymour, an awkward, impoverished flower shop worker in urban Skid Row with a crush on his fellow employee, Audrey--a beautiful blonde in a terrible relationship. Seymour finds and attempts to cultivate a never-before-seen plant--which he nicknames Audrey II--before discovering the one thing that makes it grow: human blood. Though the plant brings him fame, fortune, and the girl, it comes at a great cost: murder, sacrifice, and heartbreak.

T.J. Vinsavich was both endearing and enthralling as the lovable yet murderous Seymour, displaying a remarkable knack for comedy, and his chemistry with Samantha Dempsey (Audrey) was almost palpable. Dempsey herself was a vocal and acting powerhouse, perfecting Audrey's nasally city-girl accent and managing to convey both her character's inner light and inner demons. Also fantastic were Zack Walsh and Eni Oyeleye, as Seymour's cranky boss-turned-adoptive-father Mushnik and the voice of Audrey II, respectively. Walsh was appropriately curmudgeon-like and a master of physical comedy, highlighted in the hilarious number "Mushnik and Son." Oyeleye made a big impression despite never actually appearing on stage and his vocals were stellar, giving the plant a personality and adding to the cartoonish nature of the show.

Among the more minor roles there were several standouts. Twins Brandon and Julian Sanchez made it clear that talent runs in their blood: both gave amazing performances, with Brandon as Orin (Audrey's sadistic dentist boyfriend) and Julian as several small but memorable characters, including a drunk, a woman, and an opportunistic businessman. Brandon conveyed Orin's slick and sleazy veneer with ease, not failing to portray the darker, demented side of the dentist as well. Julian proved to be a jack-of-all-trades, able to slip from one persona to the next while making each character extremely humorous in a distinct way. Another standout group was the Trashettes, a trio of street urchins who narrated many events of the play. The three members harmonized beautifully and employed just the right mix of sass and sincerity.

The production's technical elements were above and beyond what would be expected for a high school play. The set was enormously impressive, epitomizing the urban setting with broken down buildings surrounding Mushnik's highly detailed flower shop. The set also included Orin's dentist office, with a wall of weapons that served to further emphasize the character's brutality, as well as a realistic dentist chair and tools. The costumes were simply stunning: everyone from the poor ensemble members to Audrey and Seymour had intricate, aesthetically-pleasing costume designs. The design for the Trashettes in particular was especially laudable, each girl having numerous, beautiful outfits. But the most dazzling aspect of the production was without a doubt the props, namely the puppets used to represent Audrey II. As the plant grew, the puppets changed out, becoming larger and more elaborate each time, with clever mechanisms to allow movement.

In the end, there was nothing little about Westfield High School's Little Shop of Horrors--with boundless talent, superb technical elements, and complete dedication, they put their heart and soul into their production, leading to a night of big laughs, big tears, and a standing ovation.

Alex Aguilar
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

Skid Row -- home to streetwalkers, drunkards, dropouts, and... a man-eating plant? It's a strange combination, but acts as the perfect backdrop for the story of a flower shop gone horribly wrong. Westfield High School brings Skid Row to the stage in their delightfully dark performance of Little Shop of Horrors, the comedy-horror show that warns you not to feed the plant.

Written by Howard Ashman and music and lyrics by Alan Menken, Little Shop of Horrors follows the story of Seymour Krelborn, a poor florist shop-hand who inadvertently raises an exotic plant that feeds on the flesh and blood of humans. His plant attracts business for the florist shop run by Mr. Mushnik, fame for Seymour, and the love of his coworker Audrey. All is well and good until the plant's appetite spirals out of control, leaving the fate of humanity at stake. Based off of the 1960 low budget film of the same name, Little Shop of Horrors was an Off-Broadway smash hit, premiering in 1982 with a Broadway revival in 2003. The show has continued to gain popularity, with numerous tours and productions worldwide.

Leading the cast were actors T.J. Vinsavich (Seymour) and Samantha Dempsey (Audrey). Vinsavich was charmingly awkward as nerdy Seymour, with solid vocals, strong stage presence, and near perfect physicality. Every movement he made on stage revealed layers of his character's personality and was timed beautifully for comedic effect. Dempsey nailed the role of Audrey, commanding the stage from the opening scene while still leaving room for her character to blossom as the show progressed. Dempsey seamlessly balanced a difficult accent with gorgeous tone and pitch in her singing, all the while delivering every line with the perfect mix of emotion and levity. The tender chemistry between Vinsavich and Dempsey was unmistakable, and the two pulled on the heart strings of every audience member as their relationship unfolded on stage.

Adding to the strength of the cast were actors Zack Walsh (Mushnik), Brandon Sanchez (Orin), and Julian Sanchez (multiple roles). Walsh, as shopkeeper Mushnik, shone in his facial expressions, which perfectly relayed his character's interior feelings. Brandon Sanchez completely lit up the stage as the despicable Orin, D.D.S., incorporating humor through his delivery and movements, and showing off his incredible strength as a vocalist in his feature song "Dentist." Featured in various roles over the course of the show, Julian Sanchez rounded out the powerhouse of actors, his specialty being that of nearly flawless comedic timing.

As impressive as the strength of the actors were the technical aspects of the show. The feature prop of the plant Audrey II presented a daunting challenge to the prop team, and was masterfully crafted and controlled. The attention to detail was outstanding throughout, from the multitude of stunning costumes, to the brilliant lighting design to set the mood, to the smallest details such as fake blood on stage, every aspect completing the picture of a wonderful show.

Westfield High School did a remarkable job in their execution of Little Shop of Horrors, producing a show of high caliber, extraordinary to see in a high school performance. Every member of the cast committed entirely to their character at every moment in the show, maintaining energy and enthusiasm from the overture to the curtain call that kept the audience enthralled throughout and on their feet in thunderous applause for the final bows.

Liesl Jaeger
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - CV

What could go better with a massive bloodthirsty plant, a sadistic dentist, and a rundown plant shop in the worst part of town than...infectious, upbeat musical numbers? Marked by exceptionally talented singers, hilariously dedicated acting, and brilliant technical elements, Westfield High School's talented cast and crew of Little Shop of Horrors presented the show with the gusto, professionalism, and poise befitting such an exceptional production.

Based on a black comedy film, Little Shop of Horrors was written and composed by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken as a comedy horror rock musical in 1982. Although the show was originally produced Off-Off Broadway, it quickly gained fame and accolades, receiving copious productions around the world. The musical stars the awkwardly adorable Seymour and follows his adventures as he discovers an undocumented plant that he names Audrey II--whom he soon discovers can not only talk, but feasts on human blood.

Westfield stunned the audience with their incredible combination of vocal prowess, splendid acting, and precise dancing. Each member of the cast displayed their prodigious abilities as they not only sang out Little Shop of Horrors catchy tunes, but also danced with clean, exact movements that truly made the larger numbers a pleasure to watch.

As Seymour, T.J. Vinsavich certainly wowed the audience with his vocal and acting abilities. With purposefully awkward physicality, wonderful facial expressions, and manipulation of vocal inflection, Vinsavich perfectly characterized Seymour as just the right amount of nerdy and awkward. Both he and his leading lady, Samantha Dempsey as Audrey, displayed superb vocal expertise; as their voices harmonized in heart-warming numbers such as "Suddenly, Seymour," their chemistry truly shone brightly, dazzling the audience with their romantic tension and clear voices. Dempsey put on a difficult accent for her character and also managed to keep her inflections throughout all of her dialogue and songs. Dempsey's portrayal of Audrey grasped the audience's attention, excellently portraying appropriate emotions and garnering sympathy.

Several stand out performers contributed to masterful production with their wonderful display of performance abilities. As Crystal, one of the Trashettes, Selena Clyne-Galindo rose above and beyond with outstanding vocal strength, tone, and talent. Clyne-Galindo impressed with commitment to her character and obviously well thought out characterization. An actor who especially brought comedy to the show was Zack Walsh as Mushnik, the owner of a dilapidated flower shop, Seymour's boss, and his future adoptive father. With Walsh's fervent physicality, large voice, and appropriately exaggerated facial expressions, he truly created a comic character who dazzled in numbers like "Mushnik and Son." Also noteworthy were Eni Oyeleye as Audrey II and Brandon Sanchez as Orin, who both showcased commendable vocals that contributed to the production.

While Oyeleye was wonderful as Audrey II, he could not have been complete without the ridiculously realistic and extravagantly detailed Audrey II props. From a small hand puppet to a colossal puppet that had to be operated by two actors, every prop was not only able to move appropriately but looked shockingly real and appropriate for the cartoonish aura of the overall production. The set only furthered this feel, with uneven edges and exaggerated outlines, looking as though it had stepped right out of a comic book.

Characterized by fantastic singers, believable acting, and extravagant technical features, Little Shop of Horrors at Westfield High School was an enthralling wonder to watch. Be sure to catch the show if you can, but remember, don't feed the plants!

Madeleine Lucas
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The street of Skid Row has seen it's fair share of hardships - poverty, homelessness, drunkards... and killer plants? You better watch your back at Westfield High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Little Shop of Horrors, with book by Howard Ashman and music and lyrics by Alan Menken, was based off a 1960 film of the same name. The show premiered Off-Off-Broadway in 1982 before moving to Off-Broadway where it had a five year run. The show made it to Broadway in 2003. With music in the Motown style, the story revolves around an orphan named Seymour, who has been taken in by the florist, Mushnik, in the impoverished slum Skid Row. Seymour's life takes an upturn when he discovers an unidentified species of plant he affectionately names Audrey II, after the love of his life, Audrey. He discovers that Audrey II eats blood, but as the plant grows so does Seymour's success. He then faces the moral dilemma of finding food for the plant and keeping his fortune high, or stopping his unethical deeds and returning to a life of poverty.

Seymour, played by T.J. Vinsavich, controlled the stage with his physical and heartfelt acting. Vinsavich embraced the geeky side of Seymour, sporting nerdy glasses and using his awkward adorableness to win the audiences hearts. He had a strong voice and clearly displayed the struggle between his desire for personal good and the guilt from his wrong doings with his active facial expressions and physical reactions. Audrey, Samantha Dempsey, played the love interest perfectly, finding the balance between sincerity and humor. She kept a consistent, strong Brooklyn accent while still maintaining beautiful tone and vibrato in her singing voice.

The leads were back up by a strong cast of supporting characters. The Dentist, played by Brandon Sanchez, stole the show with his hilarious leather pants, sleazy characterization, and phenomenal song "Dentist", in which his impressively long held note gained a burst of applause from the audience. Mushnik, Zach Walsh, had fantastic facial expressions and a great sense of pacing that brought out the humor in his lines. In his number "Mushnik and Son", Walsh broke out his hilarious tango moves and left the audience in tears from incessant laughter. In addition to the central characters, every ensemble member was committed to the action they were performing on stage, which added greatly to the professionalism of the show.

The technical aspects of the show all followed the theme of "attention to detail." The student choreography was creative and crisp. Costumes were extremely well thought out. The Trashettes' costumes became progressively glitzier as Seymour rose in status and Audrey's shoes were always leopard-print, down to her bedroom slippers. The set was impeccably clean, with adorable cartoony elements like non-symmetrical windows. The lighting was spot on, complete with different color lights on the backdrop to fit the mood, to lightning flashes, to seamless spotlight work.

Props were a particular stand out in this show, especially the puppet of Audrey II. The plant grows over the course of the show, so there were three distinct props for the plant. The second one contained a fake arm around the pot of the plant so Seymour could operate the puppet with his real arm. The largest puppet had functioning branches and fly trap and could fit at least two people in its mouth.

The cast of Westfield's Little Shop of Horrors produced a truly phenomenal, fully committed performance that left the audience of their feet begging for more.

Maria Regina
Heritage High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

A man-eating plant blooming in a small flower shop on Skid Row sounds like an impossible nightmare. Yet, a carnivorous plant is just the tip of the iceberg in the world of Little Shop of Horrors. Little Shop, a Motown, dark-comedy musical, was written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. Premiering off- Broadway in 1986, it became the highest-grossing musical in off-Broadway history. The story follows Seymour, a downtrodden flower shop employee on Skid Row in New York City. Seymour's luck begins to change when he discovers an exotic plant, bringing fortune and fame to the lives of him and his despairing coworker, Audrey. But, when the plant becomes a bloodthirsty, carnivorous menace, Seymour is faced with a terrible moral dilemma.

Westfield High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors was led by T.J. Vinsavich as Seymour and Samantha Dempsey as Audrey. Vinsavich portrayed meek Seymour with an endearing appeal and effectively revealed his character's emotional journey throughout the show. His quirky physicality also provided humor and depth. As Seymour's love interest, Audrey (Dempsey), was unassuming and optimistic, but tragically insecure. Dempsey carried Audrey's trademark New York accent with ease and was a consistent beacon of hope for the audience. Alongside Dempsey and Vinsavich starred Brandon Sanchez as villainous Orin, whose hilarious movements and well-defined character made the audience cringe. Furthermore, gruff Mr. Mushnik (Zack Walsh), while he had accent inconsistencies, developed a dynamic relationship with Seymour and exhibited strong vocals.

The Motown-inspired songs of this musical are consistently catchy, but Westfield had some exceptional numbers. "Skid Row," sung by the entire company, provided an upbeat look at the lives of Seymour, Audrey, and their neighbors. Choreographers Selena Clyne-Galindo, Meredith Mehegan, and Ola Pozor created motivated movements that clearly depicted the lives of Skid Row's poor citizens. Their choreography also enhanced "Mushnik and Son" and "Dentist," two hysterical songs. The Trashettes (Selina Clyne-Galindo, Emily Tobin, and Shaina Greenberg), who are featured in nearly every ensemble number, brought strong vocals to the stage, despite their lack of distinctive characters.

Costumes, hair, and makeup (Zoe Hawryluk, Morgan Perigard, Selena Clyne-Galindo, and Destinee Bricko) brought the world of 1960's New York to life. Each character's wardrobe reflected their lifestyle and individual growth, especially Seymour, Audrey, and the Trashettes. Seymour began the show in drab clothing and ended in bright pink, which mirrors his acquisition of wealth and fame. Audrey always donned her signature pink, feminine outfits and leopard print shoes, even as she died. Mr. Mushnik and Audrey's hair and makeup were impressive, as Mushnik looked appropriately old with his authentic combover and age makeup. Audrey's voluminous blonde wig enhanced her ditzy persona, while a shiner on her left eye was believable.

Technically, Westfield's show was especially impressive. Their set (designed by Brandon Sanchez and Daniel Williams), which incorporated caricatured windows, two-leveled apartment buildings, and a large flower shop, was functional and interesting. Lighting (Kristen Chiama and Allison Tickner), gave dimension and used impeccable timing; frequent spotlights effectively lit the many cast members as they moved about the set. The sound (Katie Lamb), despite a few microphone disturbances, was strong as well. Props (Stephen Cox, Sarah Dickenson, Emily Tobin, and David Koenisgsberg), were innovative and elaborate, including a massive, moving puppet for Audrey II, the plant.

This story about the sacrifice that accompanies fortune and popularity was colorful, upbeat, and terrorizing. Impressive performers brought this tale to life amid a backdrop of poverty and hopelessness. Westfield High School did not fail to entertain and disturb audiences with their production of Little Shop of Horrors.