Little Shop of Horrors
at Pacifica High School

Reviewed on December 13, 2013

Allie Graydon
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies Review OC Register
by Allie Graydon of Tesoro High School
Allie Graydon is a senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores.

Pacifica leaves audiences hungry for more

Pacifica's production of Little Shop of Horrors is a twisted tale with dynamic characters, energetic emotional shifts, and a set with a grimy, worn-down look. Set in the 1960's on old "skid row," the story follows a flower shop attendant, Seymour, and his rise to fame after discovering a strange carnivorous plant. His life becomes complicated however, when the plant hungers for human blood, forcing Seymour to find its next victims. Juxtaposing terror and comedy, Pacifica's production is an experience to die for.

With a slightly slumped stance, quivering hands, and a high, nervous voice, Alex Cobb is charming in his awkwardness as the sweet yet clumsy Seymour. He bursts with nervous energy when confronted, rushing through the shop and knocking over plants, however the character's sympathetic side is revealed as he gazes lovingly at Audrey. The contrast between passionate longing and nervous hesitation reaches its climax in "The Meek Shall Inherit" as Cobb trembles and paces, his eyes wide with terror as he debates keeping his deadly plant alive.

Melody Espinoza brings a kind, hopeful personality to the stage as Audrey with her gentle voice, New York accent, and reserved posture, her hands always close to her body as though trying not to take up space. She is submissive and timid around her boyfriend, ducking her head suddenly, her voice rising in fear. However, her voice rings with clarity and joy in "Somewhere That's Green," becoming stronger in a perfect blend of quiet sweetness and growing passion.

Terrifyingly shifting between smiling arrogantly and screaming in frustration, Brett Beard sends both laughs and chills through the audience as Orin. He struts onstage confidently, dropping to his knees or jumping in the air, his joy and large grin a stark contrast to his sadistic nature revealed in "Dentist!" His violence is seen as he slaps, pushes, and grabs Audrey roughly, shouting at her all the while.

The set by Dakota Hill captures the griminess of skid row with faded brick walls and pastel colored paint splattered with grey and brown to convey a dirty, uneasy atmosphere. The set folds in and out to change locations and further draw the audience into the action.

Pacifica's production, rife with unique, energetic characters and a terror-filled atmosphere, proves that giving in to evil always leads to destruction. Little Shop of Horrors will feed your desire for comedy!

Hannah Bozman
Laguna Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies Review OC Register
by Hannah Bozman of Laguna Hills High School
Hannah Bozman is a senior at Laguna Hills High School in Laguna Hills

Pacifica's Little Nightmare Blossoms to Life

A bloodthirsty plant, desire for greater things in life, and star-crossed love tangle themselves together in a darkly comedic and nicely arranged production of Little Shop of Horrors at Pacifica High School.

Audrey (Melody Espinoza) led the show's vocals with her beautifully soft voice. Her spotlight moment happens in "Somewhere That's Green" where the usually delicate woman expresses her earnest desire for so much more than she was given and her love for Seymour. Her singing matched her character of a small, shy woman who had to deal with an abusive boyfriend extraordinarily well. Espinoza's accent, a sweet lilting Jersey, never faltered in spoken or sung lines, truly adding an icing-on-the-cake element.

The unsung hero of the show was without a doubt Brett Beard, acting for over seven characters by the time the finale rolled around. Commencing as a dirty beggar (Wino) and progressing to a sadistic dentist who is Audrey's boyfriend (Omir), he also played four other minor roles; sometimes disappearing offstage for no more than twenty seconds before he popped out with an entirely new persona. The individuality for each new person and effortless slide from one to the next quickly brought him forward as the audience's favorite.

Nervous, twitching, aspiring botanist Seymour (Alex Cobb) was absolutely grand at letting his emotions flow as the flower shop's situation grew from dull to exciting to dangerously dire. Even though his accent wavered, his quirky physicality, character progression, and outstanding comedic timing throughout the show more than made up for it. An example of this cast's excellent comedy and chemistry are Cobb and his boss, Mushnik (Dakota Hill), rousing the loudest laughter from the audience with their absurdly silly duet in "Mushnik and Son."

Audrey II, the murderous plant behind the whole debacle, was masterfully operated by puppeteer Joey Stoner and voiced by Stoner and Brian Soto. The plant spoke in a deep rasping Louisiana drawl, which was an ideal complement for the vine-filled, sprawling vegetation. But after Audrey II makes its final growth into a behemoth-sized monster the voice grows deeper and sonorous, filling the theater with a voice reminiscent of God.

Utilizing a small theater in surprisingly versatile and creative ways, Pacifica tamed a very beastly musical into a pleasant and enthusiastic performance.

Serena O'Sullivan
Los Alamitos High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

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by Serena O'Sullivan of Los Alamitos High School
Serena O'Sullivan is a senior at Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos.
Pacifica High School's Theater Blossoms with "Little Shop of Horrors"

Occurring during the 1960's, the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" conveys the tale of a meek young man whose life of poverty blossoms into one of good fortune as soon as an unusual plant springs into his life. Unfortunately, the "strange and interesting" plant proves to be a bloody blessing that, like a weed, grows in size and power until it completely consumes his life. Accordingly, Pacifica High School consumes its audience with a brilliant and engaging spectacle that is both funny and poignant in its commentary on the dangerous and far-reaching effects of greed.

Accompanied by a backdrop of atmospheric piano music by Kate Hinrichs, Pacifica High School's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" is a faithful adaptation of the classic tale. Alex Cobb completely embodies his role of the nerdy and submissive Seymour, from his quivering voice to his fidgety body language. Brett Beard proudly displays his scope of artistic ability through his portrayal of a wide range of supporting characters. From the sadistic and swaggering Orin to the shaky and staggering Wino, Beard infuses each of his characters with their own personality and physical energy.

While some actors lack power and clarity in their singing, Melody Espinoza (Audrey) steals the stage with "Somewhere That's Green," which she performs with passion and humor that tugs at the audience's heartstrings while evoking their laughter. The second Audrey is also a powerful presence, both physically and vocally. Although at times Audrey II's voice and mouth movement are out of sync, Brian Soto bestows the malicious plant with a booming voice that becomes increasingly forceful as the plant grows in power: while Audrey II initially communicates through high-pitched and pitiable moans of hunger, by the end, its enormous maw emits guttural and demonic demands for blood.

The publicity team (Dakota Hill, Brett Beard, and Sabrina Thompson) shows inventiveness and creativity through their marketing and advertising strategies: large and ominous vines that crawl along the school's hallways foreshadow the darkness of the theater's tale, while posters are simultaneously straight-forward and creative. Dakota Hill's resourceful three-dimensional set design reveals an acute attention to detail, such as dirt streaks upon the walls of the dentist's office to reveal the poverty of Skid Row.

With the cast and crew's combined efforts, Pacifica High School's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" feeds its audience an entertaining and lively performance.