Little Shop of Horrors
at Paul VI Catholic High School

Reviewed on April 8, 2017

Alexandra Dauchess
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Crumbling buildings, walls covered in graffiti, streets teeming with beggars and low lives: this is the town of Skid Row where world domination began and the most ruthless of beasts was born. Here the cast and crew of Paul VI High School are poised and ready to relate the tale of the Little Shop of Horrors that will leave you with one certainty: don't feed the plants.

Little Shop of Horrors, written by Howard Ashman and with music by Alan Menken, originated as a 1960's horror film, and was later converted into a musical of the same name that premiered in many Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters. It has enjoyed several national and global tours, including the most recent in 2016, and has spawned many film and television adaptations with the same or similar plots.

This delightfully disturbing classic follows the story of orphan Seymour Krelborn, a plant enthusiast who dreams of making it out of the dingy ghetto, Skid Row, and saving his failing Mushnik Flower Shop. One day, on a stroke of luck, he finds a rare and interesting plant, a type of Venus Fly Trap, and soon discovers that the plant, that he names Audrey II after his long-time crush and fellow co-worker, is not like any other plant. This one only eats human blood. With the allure of fame, an aspiration of becoming a famous scientist, and the love of Audrey hanging in the balance, Seymour must decide whether to feed the murderous desires of his ever-hungry plant, or destroy it and crush every hope of ever achieving his dreams.

The cast and crew of PVI did a wonderful job of bringing this difficult musical to life, with a lively and engaging ensemble, and stellar performances from the lead and supporting cast. The star of the show was, without a doubt, the lovably awkward Seymour Krelborn (Nathaniel Smith) who stole hearts with his energy, boyish charm, and impressive vocals. His leading lady Audrey, the wonderfully talented Caleigh Davis, also proved a true star as she dominated the stage with soulful ballads, such as "Somewhere That is Green," and the two-shared effortless chemistry that made their love-story more convincing and heart-breaking. The supporting cast also gave some spectacular performances that helped bring the show to life. Among these was the egotistical and slightly sadistic motorcycle riding dentist, Dr. Orin Scrivello (Drew Goldstein), who was fearless and frightening, livening up the stage with his periodic howls and his comedic song, "Dentist!" Other stand-out performers include Tommy Kelleher (Mr. Mushnik) whose hilarious dancing and facial expressions during such songs as, "Mushnik and Son," delighted the audience, and Victor Perez-Sales (Audrey II Voice) who used his impressive vocals to bring to life the frightening Audrey II.

Although the cast did a spectacular job and delivered some phenomenal performances, the show wouldn't have been complete without the various technical elements that brought Skid Row to life. The set, designed by twins Bobby and Tommy Kelleher, was expansive, functional, and incredibly detailed, involving several moving parts and impressive backdrops. The puppeteer Matt Mooney, who controlled the mechanics of Audrey II, also deserves recognition for his hard work operating the ever-growing plant, before and during the show.

Despite a few confusing costume choices and some problems with mics, the cast and crew of Paul VI High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors, that had the audience laughing and crying from curtain to curtain!

Sydney Copp
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Telling a story of coincidental love, alongside a crazy man-eating plant, the energy runs high in Paul VI Catholic High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Beginning as an off-Broadway production in 1982, Little Shop of Horrors follows the tale of a clumsy florist shop worker, Seymour Krelborn, who creates a seemingly beautiful and exotic plant- until he discovers the plant eats only fresh, human blood. Still vying for the love and attention of coworker Audrey, Seymour decides to continue giving into the plant's gory cravings.

The cast and crew of PVI's production did a spectacular job of keeping the audience entertained in this hilarious story. The strong character development and clear relationships between them left the audience with a great impression of the actors’ abilities and the obvious hard work they put into making their superb production.

With a goofy smile and band-aid covered fingers, Nathanial Smith as Seymour Krelborn brought endless energy to the stage. His comedic timing was spot-on, and his commitment to his role, klutzy, lovesick florist was impeccable, adding to an immensely loveable character. Smith's character development was clear through his consistency in his facial movements and physical body language throughout the production. Additionally, his relationship with both Audrey (Caleigh Davis) and Mr. Mushnik (Tommy Kelleher) were honest and evident in his numbers, "Mushnik and Son" and "Suddenly Seymour".

Another stand-out character, Caleigh Davis as Audrey also stole the show. From her heart-breaking number, "Somewhere That's Green", to finally realizing her love for Seymour in the number, "Suddenly Seymour", Davis always engaged the audience, capturing their hearts through her silky-smooth voice. Her vocals were impeccable, always able to belt the highest notes without cracking or sounding strained. Davis impressively kept up her accent throughout the entire production, contributing to the believability of her naive character.

An unforgettable character, to say the least, was Drew Goldstein as Dr. Orin Scrivello, DDS. Although he was in the production for a short amount of time, he stole the spotlight every time his greasy, nitrous oxide-loving character went onstage. Specifically, in his number "Dentist!", the audience got a glimpse into Goldstein's everlasting energy as the Dentist, who put the audience in a love/hate relationship.

The Audrey II Team, Victor Perez-Sales on vocals and Matt Mooney on puppetry, was fantastic. The work they both put into making Audrey II seem real and menacing was carried out perfectly. The plant moved with finesse, always having a purpose. The movements matched the vocals, to the point where it didn't seem like two people were actually operating the plant.

The run crew of the production was noteworthy, executing flawless scene changes from the streets of Skid Row to the interior of Mushnik's floral shop. They were dressed in costume, so as not to distract the audience from the changes in venue. On that note, the sets were phenomenal. They transported the audience out of a regular auditorium, and into the kooky world of Skid Row.

For a fast-paced production with endless laughs and engaging characters, Paul VI Catholic High School deserves a standing ovation for their outstanding production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Aaryan Balu
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

For a show that's about a talking, homicidal plant that ruins a man's life and takes over the world, Little Shop of Horrors is surprisingly raucous from beginning to end. And on the stage of Paul VI High School, this stylized musical came alive to the horror and delight of the entire audience.

Based on the 1960 horror film of the same name, Little Shop of Horrors debuted Off-Off-Broadway in 1982, enjoying a moderately successful run before being picked up on Broadway in 2003.
The show follows the story of mild-mannered florist Seymour Krelborn who saves his flower shop from bankruptcy after discovering an unusual, unidentifiable plant similar to a Venus flytrap. After discovering that feeds on human blood and can speak, Seymour uses the plant -- lovingly nicknamed Audrey 2 after the coworker Seymour pines for -- to bring himself fame and fortune. Along the way, Audrey 2 becomes more demanding and Seymour struggles with his desire to keep up his image with the plant's hunger for human flesh that he must provide.

Nathaniel Smith owned the role of Seymour completely, demonstrating powerful vocals, unique mannerisms, and dancing abilities to boot. He embodied the clumsy Seymour through his posture, gestures, and expressions, while maintaining a strong vocal presence throughout the show. Caleigh Davis matched Smith at every step along the way as Audrey, Seymour's coworker and the victim of an abusive boyfriend. Despite Audrey's dark story, Davis maintained a glimmer of hope throughout the show, as demonstrated by her mesmerizing voice and comedic timing throughout the show. Davis and Smith got to show off their remarkable vocal talent in "Suddenly, Seymour," a powerful piece that brought the two together after a tragic first act.

Drew Goldstein stole the show as Dr. Orin Scrivello, DDS, a dentist and Audrey's abusive boyfriend. Despite the character's truly evil personality, Goldstein made it impossible not to be engrossed every time he was onstage. Scrivello's abusive personality clashes with his bombastic songs -- between "Dentist!" and "Now (It's Just the Gas!)" Goldstein captured both the comedic and sadistic aspects of Scrivello perfectly. Tommy Kelleher also shone as Mr. Mushnik, the cranky owner of the flower shop who has a constant disdain for Seymour until Audrey 2 begins to bring him wealth. Kelleher demonstrated a great capability for physical comedy, and his genuine chemistry with Seymour was highlighted in the duet "Mushnik and Son," an adorable number that explores the relationship between Mushnik and the childlike Seymour.

In addition to the strong principal performances, the sets added another dimension of beauty to the show. The school's rendition of Skid Row, an expansive brick-walled alley, was a treat to look at as the show opened. The sets also revealed clever design, with pieces of it rotating to show either the inside or outside of Mushnik's Florist while keeping the rest of the street intact. Inside the fully-grown Seymour was Matt Mooney, who demonstrated remarkable endurance and dedication to his craft, having spent months exercising to build up to the role. While there were some issues with the ensemble being out of sync, they nonetheless demonstrated a powerful energy that more than made up for it.

Through its colorful sets and over-the-top performances, the students of Paul VI High School managed to capture exactly the stylized, cheesy atmosphere that the show required. From the first note to the final showdown, this performance of Little Shop of Horrors kept every audience member on the edge of the seat, hanging onto every note, and thinking: "Feed me, Seymour!"

Anna Krelovich
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

As six spunky, sassy girls rush on stage, introducing the audience to the destitute street of Skid Row, their infectious energy immediately excites the audience at Paul VI High School's exhilaratingly astonishing production of Little Shop of Horrors.

With electrifying music by Alan Menken and a hilariously dark book by Howard Ashman, Little Shop of Horrors is based on the 1960 black comedy film of the same name. After a brief Off-Off-Broadway, Little Shop of Horrors moved to the Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway to play a 5-year run. The show finally earned its Broadway premiere in 2003 after a rocky start, and ran for 372 performances.

Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour Krelborn, a meek, awkward floral assistant at Mushnik's Florist who discovers a strange plant which he names "Audrey II" after his coworker/crush, Audrey. Seymour, however, soon discovers the only way to have Audrey II grow is by feeding him human blood. As Audrey II continues to grow, Seymour gains fame and fortune. However, he is soon forced to decide if he is willing to continue appeasing the plant's villainous wishes, or rather give up his luxurious life and his relationship with Audrey.

Nathaniel Smith, as Seymour Krelborn, expressively communicated sweet naivety with an impressively comedic delivery of lines. In songs such as "Grow For Me," Smith showcased adorable obliviousness through a powerful voice. Caleigh Davis portrayed the hopeless Audrey, who with low self-esteem was both heartbreaking and lovable. Forever dreaming of a better life, Davis was momentarily hopeful in songs such as "Somewhere That's Green" and "Suddenly Seymour," touting a beautifully powerful voice and gorgeous vibrato, she sang at near technical perfection. Davis and Smith's relationship was innocent and propitious, and strongly contrasted her relationship with her abusive boyfriend, Orin Scrivello (Drew Goldstein). Goldstein was chillingly sadistic, explaining how he thrives off the pain of his patients in the song "Dentist!"

The owner of the flower shop, Mr. Mushnik, was portrayed by Tommy Kelleher. Kelleher was hot headed and sly, and hysterically comical during the song "Mushnik and Son." The Doo Wop Girls served as the street urchin narrators of the show. Lounging on the street, the Doo Wop Girls were clever and wise cracking, showcasing stunningly harmonic vocal talent in countless numbers throughout the show.

The rancid street of Skid Row was the dirt ridden, graffiti coated indigent home of Mushnik's Florist, which was equally as run down and dirty, complete with dying flowers and aged cabinets. Large rotating set pieces moved seamlessly, with the ensemble doing the bulk of the work, quickly transitioning into the flower shop or the dentist office. Finishing the set were clusters of overflowing trashcans sitting on either edge of the stage. Matthew Mooney took on the taxing roll of Audrey II's puppeteer, impressively bringing the Venus Fly Trap/avocado combination to life. Showcasing shocking stamina, Mooney controlled Audrey II from his smallest to his most massive and domineering.

Carnivorous plants and sadists are far from a recipe for success; however, with powerful vocalists and dazzling comic actors, Paul VI High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors was anything but horrific.

Maggie Klein
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to The Catholic Herald

If you're hungry for horror, head on downtown to Skid Row where the dentists are evil and the plants are worse. Paul VI Catholic High School will feed you (and their giant, flesh-eating plant) blood, guts, and a whole lot of humor in their gleefully macabre production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Based on the 1960 film of the same name, Little Shop of Horrors was turned into a musical that premiered Off-Off-Broadway in 1982, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and book by Howard Ashman. Subsequent productions included a 2003 Broadway run that followed a 1986 musical film adaptation. The show focuses on the unassuming Seymour Krelborn, a florist shop employee who stumbles across a new breed of Venus flytrap-esque plant that feeds on human blood. Caught up in his desire for fame, fortune, and the heart of his coworker Audrey, Seymour inadvertently becomes a murderer as he tries to satiate the smooth-talking, human-devouring plant he names Audrey II.

As the awkward yet endearing Seymour, Nathaniel Smith's strong character choices made the role his own. Exaggerated diction and gawky physical humor created the nerdy botanist, and his sweet vocals and varied emotions made for a layered and dynamic performance. Seymour made a compelling transformation from a meek florist's assistant to a crazed, guilt-ridden murderer; his internal ethical dilemma was evident in "The Meek Shall Inherit," as the contracts promising him wealth and stardom turned bloody and wrapped around him like chains.

Seymour's love interest Audrey (Caleigh Davis) perfectly captured the sweet yet insecure character, as she interacted both with her abusive dentist boyfriend and the loving Seymour. She consistently maintained her New York-style accent even while singing, and her exquisite vocals in "Somewhere That's Green" exposed Audrey's longing for an ideal life in the suburbs. As her character developed alongside Seymour's, the pair's chemistry grew palpable in the explosive yet vulnerable duet "Suddenly Seymour."

Seymour also had strong chemistry with grumpy florist shop owner and his newly adopted father Mr. Mushnik (Tommy Kelleher). Their high energy and ludicrous dancing in "Mushnik and Son" had the audience howling. Dr. Orin Scrivello, DDS (Drew Goldstein) was another standout as Audrey's abusive boyfriend and Skid Row's menacing dentist. Scrivello blended the comedic and the creepy, his maniacal nitrous oxide-induced laughter as chilling as it was hilarious. Goldstein was fully committed to the role. His high energy and unrestricted comedic choices contrasted with his cruelty towards Audrey.

Dr. Scrivello's liveliness helped make "Dentist!" a highlight, as he and his team of dental assistants terrorized the ensemble of young Doo Wop Girls. The Doo Wop Girls helped move the story along as they roamed the streets of Skid Row, their ‘60s spunk and complicated choreography bolstering ensemble numbers. Their vocals were especially notable in "Finale (Don't Feed the Plants)."
Sets (Bobby Kelleher, et al.) were as functional as they were aesthetically pleasing. A double-sided wall allowed for seamless switches between the graffiti-covered brick exteriors and storefronts of Skid Row and the interior of Mushnik's florist shop. Inside the store, Matt Mooney and Victor Perez-Sales operated the gargantuan Audrey II from the depths of the plant. The attention to detail in props and makeup heightened the world of the show.

As plant tendrils rained down on an applauding audience, promising a fate as gruesome as those devoured by the bloodthirsty Audrey II, PVI's production of Little Shop of Horrors ended with the same dark comedy it provided throughout the show. Energetic performances and meticulous technical elements took the audience "Somewhere That's Green" in this thoroughly entertaining production.

Lindsey Jacobson
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

There was a time when the human race "suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence." Step into a small flower shop on Skid Row, and learn about the "Little Shop of Horrors" at Paul VI High School.

The horror/comedy rock musical, written by iconic duo Alan Menken (music) and Howard Ashman (book and lyrics), and based off the 1960 cult classic of the same name, follows the journey of a quirky young man named Seymour, who works as a florist in the slums of Skid Row. After an unusual night, Seymour finds himself in possession of an unidentifiable plant, which turns him into an overnight success. Dubbed "Audrey II," the plant begins to grow, and soon Seymour realizes that possessing a blood-thirsty plant is a recipe for disaster.

Leading the show as Seymour Krelborn, Nathaniel Smith commanded the stage from the moment he appeared. Consistently entertaining to watch with wacky mannerisms, Smith embraced the true cheesiness of the production while staying true to his character. As his character grew, the audience grew with him, and as the inner turmoil throughout the second half of the show began to ‘eat' at him, you could feel they sympathy in the room.

Equally as captivating was the love interest of Seymour, and namesake for Audrey II, Audrey, played by Caleigh Davis. From the minute she appeared on stage, to her last breath, Davis was enchanting with incredible emotional delivery, and her massive vocal range proved most noteworthy in the heartbreaking, "Somewhere That's Green." Most impressive, however, was her consistent accent; perfectly fitting for her character and reminiscent of the stylization of the show. The two actors created a highly memorable chemistry that grew to a ‘monstrous' size, and audiences were devastated when Audrey II took that away.

In a highly commendable performance was Drew Goldstein as the abusive, motorcycle-riding dentist, Dr. Orin Scrivello, DDS. His impeccable comedic timing, and admiral vocals made it hard for the audience to dislike him. In his show-stopping number, Dentist!, Goldstein ruled the stage with his infectious nitrous oxide-induced laughter. Featuring high energy, and the perfect balance of creepy and hysterical, his performance will not soon be forgotten. Equally as noteworthy was Tommy Kelleher as the questionable father figure, Mr. Mushnik. Although short-lived, his comedic relief through his forced father-son relationship left the audience in stitches.

Creating a masterful and cohesive performance were Victor Perez-Sales and Matt Mooney as they brought man-eating monster, Audrey II to life. With Perez-Sales' terrific bass notes, and Mooney's skillful puppeteering, the end result was utterly spine-tingling.

Technically, the set design, masterfully created by Bobby Kelleher, Tommy Kelleher, and Andrew Conley, was a real masterpiece of the show. The highly dynamic two-story set immersed audiences into the streets of Skid Row with beautifully painted buildings and an expertly crafted flower shop that could open to fill up the entire stage. It was a journey for the senses.

Little Shop of Horrors at Paul VI High School will not soon be forgotten, but heed the warnings: Don't Feed the Plant!

Philippos Sourvinos
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Delirious dentistry, a carnivorous plant, and denim doo-wop girls lining Skid Row- truly a recipe for an exciting night, and the company of Paul IV High School brought to life Little Shop of Horrors with a remarkable performance.

With music composed by the renown Alan Menken, Little Shop of Horrors is a rock musical featuring dark comedy and bopping doo-wop vibes. Little Shop centers around the clumsy floral assistant Seymour, who discovers a new plant species, that in exchange for blood, provides wealth, fame, and the girl of his dreams Audrey. However, the unseen consequences of feeding the plant blood seem grim, as world domination is in the plant's sights. Little Shop has taken many forms, including a 1986 film, a Broadway revival in 2003, and several international tours.

Truly developing his own meek yet endearing persona was Nathaniel Smith as Seymour Krelborn. Smith effortlessly grabbed the attention of the audience with his vocal ability and charming actions. His inner botanist aided in the creation of a perfectly awkward chemistry with his counterpart, Caleigh Davis, portraying Audrey. The moment that Davis began vocalizing, a communal jaw drop was experienced by the audience. Davis' powerful yet controlled singing was not impeded in the slightest by her convincing New York accent, and her portrayal of a girl yearning for an idyllic life was heartwarming.

The touching performances of Smith and Davis were complimented by the lovably detestable dentist Dr. Orin Scrivello, played by Drew Goldstein. Goldstein's command of the stage caused raucous laughter through the audience, especially in his introductory number "Dentist!" His impressive vibrato and hyperbolic motions only added to his comedy. Mr. Mushnick, portrayed by Tommy Kelleher, was admirable in his interactions with Smith and Davis, easily switching from a critical air to a concerned one.

Captivating the audience with bursts of vocal power were the Doo Wop Girls and ensemble of Little Shop. An unsung hero, or villain rather, of Paul IV's production was Matt Mooney, operating the Audrey II puppet. Coordinating his body movements with Victor Perez-Sales' melodious and sultry voice, Mooney added dimension to the production and drove the plot forward.

When the audience was not with mouths agape and eyes glued to the performers, they could rely upon an intricate and beautiful set to admire, designed by Bobby Kelleher. Detailed brickwork, revolving set-pieces, and even graffiti messages drew the audience into the twisted yet enjoyable show. Effective placement and use of props, including a bloody contract and dismembered limbs, heightened the horror-comedy aspect of the production.

Captivating their audience with impressive vocal talent and hilarious interactions, the company of Paul IV High School produced a Little Shop of Horrors that shook their viewers to their core- in the best way possible.

Chrissy Blake
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Panther Press

Paul VI Catholic High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors brings us somewhere that's green, even in the urban setting of Skid Row. Along with the denizens of Skid Row, we are reminded that sometimes feeding the world, or in this case the plants, what it wants sometimes only fuels issues at hand.

Originally written as a non-musical movie, Little Shop of Horrors debuted Off-Broadway in 1982 with a script written by Howard Ashman, and music composed by Alan Menken. The musical follows shy and awkward floral assistant Seymour Krelborn as he pines for his coworker Audrey. Seymour has almost given up hope, until he stumbles across a new and unidentifiable breed of plant he names Audrey II, after his coworker. In order to impress Audrey, Seymour will do whatever it takes, even if it means a little bloodshed.

Nathaniel Smith played Seymour Krelborn, with a unique take on the classic character. Seymour's on-point comedic timing and exaggerated facial expressions added just the right amount of cheesy, and had the audience constantly giggling throughout his journey. Throughout the show, Seymour and Audrey's (Caleigh Davis) relationship blossomed. The emotion and soaring vocals as Audrey passed left the audience in awe.

The passion and commitment of the Dr. Orin Scrivello, DDS (Drew Goldstein) had the audience in stitches during his song "Dentist!" Dr. Orin's high energy and well developed character read very well, and Goldstein did not shy away from the somewhat mature attitude of his character, something not often seen on the high school stage.

A unique aspect of this production was the use of four different puppets for Audrey II. Despite being intended for operation by two people, Matt Mooney took on the daunting task of single-handedly operating the Audrey II puppets. The puppeteer and voice of Audrey II (Victor Perez-Sales) worked well together to bring Audrey II to life.

Other standouts included Mushnik (Tommy Kelleher), particularly for "Mushnik and Son", as well as Mrs. Luce (Kelsey Loesch), and The Doo Wop Girls ensemble.

One selling point of the entire production was its incredibly detail-oriented set. Every piece of the set seemed to be deliberate and thought out, and every piece had a purpose. The graffiti matched the story-line, and as Audrey II grew, so did the flowers on the shelves of the shop. The scene changes were also relatively smooth.

The entire production had great comedic timing, strong character arcs, and really came together at the end for the finale, "Don't Feed The Plants". All in all, Paul VI's production reminds us to consider consequences and stick to our morals when making decisions.