Act II | Little Shop of Horrors | Pasadena Playhouse

Here is act two of Pasadena Playhouse's production of Little Shop of Horrors, recorded (illegally) from the audience on October 14, 2019.
Running from September 17 to October 20, 2019, as opposed to the off-Broadway revival directed by Michael Mayer, which strived to honor and emulate the tone of Howard Ashman's original production, and which happened to begin previews on the exact same night, Little Shop of Horrors was completely redirected and reconceived from the ground up by director Mike Donahue, with a slightly grittier, contemporary edge. Donahue told Vanity Fair near the beginning of the production: "It’s not like Audrey is on Snapchat. But it’s not like you’re walking into a period version of the 1960s. [Our production] is a little looser than that. The thing I became really excited about was: What if we don’t make any assumptions about how all this is supposed to go? What if we just started working on it as if we’re working on a new play? Yes, it’s sort of a B horror movie, and there’s a lot of deliciousness and fun in that, but what if we don’t think of having to make it schtickier? What if we approach it from a place of it is real and it is pedestrian?”
Coming out of Pasadena Playhouse’s producing artistic director Danny Feldman's desire to stage a production of Little Shop with Mj Rodriguez as Audrey, who would be the first trans woman of color to play the role in a major production, Donahue offered her the part during a lunch meeting. Rodriguez immediately said yes. “But in my head,” she told the LA Times, “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, those are some big shoes to fill. And also I’m a different Audrey. I’m not the Ellen Greene; I’m not the Kerry Butler; I’m not the other Audreys that have been played. I’m a very different Audrey. I’m a woman of color. And that scared me a bit.”
She went on to explain to EW: “Audrey is usually played by a Caucasian cis woman, and that’s not to take anything away from the many amazing women who have played this role and done a wonderful job, but now she’s being played by a black woman, a woman of color, and also a trans woman of color, so already there are so many elements to the character that can be brought out now that she’s a part of a different sector of life. I love diving into dark areas - naturally, I love drama - and I saw Audrey as the perfect character to do that with. So many people see or portray her in a certain way, but I saw so much realism in her. I saw somebody who was being abused, who was being taken advantage of, and yet still had a lot of heart in believing she could get out simply by dreaming.”
The rest of the show was soon reconcieved as well, even down to Audrey II, which strayed far from the path created by original designer Martin P. Robinson, with a completely new design by Sean Cawelti, who told the LA Times: “I wanted to make something that seems alien and extraterrestrial but also that gives an emotional reaction - you can’t help but smile. And when the plant opens its petals for the first time and reveals what’s inside, it’s not inherently scary but surprisingly whimsical and magical.”
According to Donohue, in the same LA Times piece: “The classic look can be nostalgic but also predictable. All of the language that’s in the piece is about how the plant stands out, how it catches people’s eyes immediately when people are walking by. There’s gotta be something about it that, in this drab and depressed and bleak world, just pops.”
The production also follows a recent trend of casting a woman (in this case, Amber Riley) as the voice of the plant. According to Donohue in EW: “One of Amber’s immediate insights was that [Seymour's] never actually had a mother, so [for the plant to be] channeling that energy and preying upon that and finding ways to manipulate and maneuver him by unlocking what kind of presence he needs in his life… I had never thought of that because of how the plant has always been cast, but Amber had that really incredible insight almost immediately,”
Little Shop at the Pasadena Playhouse also stared George Salazar as Seymour, Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Crystal, Brittany Campbell as Ronnette, Tickwanya Jones as Chiffon, Kevin Chamberlin as Mushnik, and Matthew Wilkas as Orin (and others).
Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. Music by Alan Menken. Direction by Mike Donahue. Choreography by Will B. Bell. Music direction by Darryl Archibald. Puppet direction and design by Sean Cawelti. Scenic Design by Dane Laffrey. Costume design by Danae Iris McQueen. Lighting Design by Josh Epstein. Sound Design by Veronika Vorel.
Based on the film by Roger Corman. Screenplay by Charles Griffith.
Originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Kyle Renick, Producing Director). Originally produced at the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh, and the Shubert Organization.
TAGS: #MjRodriguez #GeorgeSalazar #LittleShopOfHorrors #LittleShopPasadena #HowardAshman #AlanMenken

[@LittleShopArchive]

My rule for bootlegs on The Little Shop Archive and Disney Ashman Demos is to place a one year hold on uploading clips and a 5 year hold on uploading a bootleg in full. Because of the quick run for this production, the innovative direction and design for the piece, and with all apologies to everyone involved in the Pasadena Playhouse production, and with Little Shop, I felt this seemingly once-in-a-lifetime production needed to be seen and is the one exception I will make to the rule.

[@micahdamsgard2777]

Also just the fact that the cast is amazingly diverse. Like the changes to the plant puppet or not but you have to admit the casting was a HIT.

[@louannbehold]

Moments like this is why I am not against bootlegs. We miss important moments of theatre if we don't share them. Now more Audrey's of all types will know their worth and not just think they are only ever meant for an Urchin.

[@justsomeguywithafoxmask2998]

Ok but are all gonna ignore the fact that they made Audrey 2 more terrifying than it should be? it can now change size and become whatever it wants! Audrey 2 has gone from a simple alien plant to a straight up eldritch horror!

[@idontownaname]

yesss

[@879SCSP]

It was even scarier seeing it live, like there were moments I legit jumped. They did an amazing job.

[@DinoJake]

I hesitate to even call it an alien. This interpretation was downright demonic.

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

I love the key change they made for Suddenly Seymour. It shows Seymour coming into his confidence with his powerful voice, and Audrey letting her guard down. Trans women will usually raise their voice to pass as feminine, since a lower voice is a common trait to out women, and hearing her sing low, I feel like it's also showing Audrey's vulnerability and how she finally feels like she can bring her guard down around Seymour. And I am full on crying over this.

[@tinymxnticore]

Even though it softens the critique of capitalism, I would have loved to see this cast with the ending from the film version. Audrey deserved better 😭

[@anerd1844]

@@julieshez387 oooh..I didnt realize its October already yes this is the perfect Halloween musical

[@mar-rv2qb]

@Thomas Thornton ok i get mushnik but if i knew a guy who LITERALLY hurt & abused people and got off on it i would kill him in a heartbeat if given the chance

[@nylemi1068]

@@julieshez387 uhh spoilers alert 😭😭

[@gwynfromRARE]

HAZEL??

[@SoICanComment163]

We stan MJ Rodriguez and her contralto power!!!! I’ll never hear Suddenly Seymour the same way again.

[@girlpaul]

Seymour's solo in "Meek shall Inherit" was so powerful wow

[@kuaia3245]

y e s also the scene after that with audrey II, he screms with SO MUCH FEELING "YOURE DRIVING ME CRAZY, JUST SHUT UP WILL YA?! JUST SHUT UP JUST SHUT UP-" omg

[@lyxchen1121]

This is my first time watching little shop of horrors and let me tell you my heart is not okay.

[@kuaia3245]

pls, this was the first time too, and i wasnt expecting what i got

[@StitchedRoses]

The ingenuity of this production really makes it one of my favourite versions of the show. It makes it fun and now for a huge fan who knows almost every lyric and line by heart. Really great honestly

[@JaycePeters]

Not me seeing the Audrey II near the end with the curtains opening and closing like a mouth and thinking about the Overqueen from Starship 😂☠️

[@idontownaname]

I wish I got to see this rendition while it was still showing....it was so short lived but so so underrated and beautiful to the singing (everyone's voices are beautiful....audrey and seymour's voices blend together perfectly) to the diversity n modernization to audrey 2 and how it grows and then becomes small its such an interesting n scary concept that I love ❤️ the cast n crew did amazing ty for uploading this 🤍🤍🤍 much love

[@actress5256]

George Salazar is such a wonderful performer

[@kuaia3245]

the scene with audrey II "YOURE DRIVING ME CRAZY, JUST SHUT UP WILL YA?! JUST SHUT UP JUST SHUT UP-" the way he screams, omg i cant take it, its amazing

[@moeskido]

Thank you for this. I wish the Pasadena Playhouse would make an official video of this production available to rent.

[@seymourkrelborn4780]

Unfortunately Little Shop Of Horrors doesn't offer a video recording license to its licensees. The only LSoH productions that can be professionally recorded are those with the direct involvement of the rights holders.

[@moeskido]

@@seymourkrelborn4780 Our loss.

[@NJ_Dsneybuf]

@@seymourkrelborn4780 Does that mean that when a school performs it, they can't sell it on DVD afterwards?

[@seymourkrelborn4780]

@@NJ_Dsneybuf Judging by the number school performance videos on KZbin, they don't enforce it, but technically yes

[@miovvv]

this was so beautiful. i wish i could see it live. the cast was amazing!

[@spaceisbigger]

God I need a cast recording so bad

[@MelissaYuanInnes]

Great when a standing ovation (and tears) block your view. Thanks and hope to see it live one day!

[@Scrooge042]

I love the stage musical and this is a great production, but anytime I see one of these I can't help but miss "Mean Green Mother From Outer Space" from the movie. I mean the flow of the ending is good without it, but it's just such a good song and a great sendoff for Audrey II.

[@guyadams1947]

The only production I know that did that song was the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production with Vicky Vox as the plant. They did it as an encore.

[@fredgwynn8933]

nah, it would never work. The pacing would be terrible with it

[@holybamboozler]

Aw shit! *explodes*

[@KTKomedy2813]

@@fredgwynn8933 Plus, it would’ve been tonally out of place after Audrey’s death.

[@OptimusPhillip]

@@KTKomedy2813 Yeah. Even in the movie version, I think Mean Green Mother works better with the happy ending than the dark ending.

[@someteyms682]

mj rodriguez🥰❤️

[@frenzioalberto1114]

Michael crying in the bathroom no more

[@gracekeddy]

can someone explain what's happening visually in finale ultimo- are they projecting onto the back curtain?

[@ashleyd993]

I saw this production, and if I remember right yes - they were projecting shadows. You can kinda see the cutouts/gobos they place in front of the lights. I think it showed something like silhouettes of Audrey II stomping through a cityscape/buildings.

[@seymourkrelborn4780]

@@ashleyd993 Thank you! I assumed that's what it was, but it's great to have confirmation

[@mattabie2785]

It was a shadow puppet of a turning globe with oversized cartoonish buildings and a rampaging Godzilla-like Audrey 2 done in the style of an Indonesian shadow puppet. It was hilarious and so cool!!

[@gracekeddy]

@@mattabie2785 that is SO incredible. i love the innovation of this production so much 😍

[@mattabie2785]

@@gracekeddy yeah, I wish it showed on this video. It was one of my favorite details in the whole show! Same with the shadow puppets in act 1. I've seen Little Shop on stage several times done really well and this production was my favorite by FAR!

[@ThefetchNZ]

Is there a cast recording? This is SOOOOOO good❤️❤️❤️

[@scrubadubdub947]

5:07

[@TylerPoplin]

12:14

[@sergioalvarado4898]

Wish Audrey was stronger. But an amazing cast. Some of the best Urchins I've ever heard.

[@shamiracleross4415]

“Wish Audrey was stronger?” Makaila Aka Mj Rodriguez aka Thee Mutha Blanka Evangelista killed this performance💯 Don’t ever in your life come for her again😒☺️💯

[@becmartin7998]

I'm not sure how she could have been any stronger...

[@Scrooge042]

She wasn't that strong tbh. I mean she was fine but nothing spectacular, there are plenty of recordings of productions out there that have better Audreys. The Urchins on this one blew me away though, amazing energy.

[@becmartin7998]

@@Scrooge042 You're welcome to your opinion of course. I just. When I saw her live, it was a combination of everything in the performance, not just the singing, you know? I'm not sure it's conveyed as well on the video. She just seemed so much more vulnerable and *real* to me than other Audreys I'd seen. She seemed like a person instead of a character. And to me, that made her strong.

[@Scrooge042]

@@becmartin7998 fair enough, these things are always different when seeing them live, and the bootleg nature of the recording isn't doing it any favours in conveying the subtleties of the performances sadly.

[@DinoJake]

I really like how unique their take on Audrey II was. Using shadows and puppets to hint at Twoey's size during its songs - but never revealing it in full - while using the potted plant prop the rest of the time. It's a really creative way of portraying the plant on a limited budget. Also, and maybe this is me overanalyzing, but there were moments during "Feed Me" where it seemed less like Seymour was arguing with the plant, and more like a fever dream where he was arguing with his own subconscious desires. If you really wanna go wild, maybe the plant never actually talked or craved blood, and that was all in Seymour's head. "Twoey" was just Seymour's inner psycho.

[@kuaia3245]

omg you're a genius

[@kuaia3245]

i loved you analysis

[@TitusAureliusDrag]

I love how there’s a deeper meaning with Audrey with MJ being a trans woman. It just makes it so much more impactful.

[@SSlovebird]

Absolutely. MJ’s Audrey is the first one to ever make me cry.

[@ChasingPavenents1995]

LOVEEE the key for Suddenly Seymour!!! And MJs little RIFFS. *chefs kiss* And just the absolute SILENCE when she dies and he’s just holding her?! Ugh I’m in tears 😭💔kinda wish they’d kept the happy ending just so this Audrey didn’t die but the other is more impactful for sure

[@fifirodriguez52]

Usually Little Shop is dark but fun and entertaining. This production is absolutely gut-wrenching. It's *good*, incredibly well-done, but oh my gosh I was not emotionally prepared for this.

[@anaclarke1003]

Amber Riley did that!

[@ChasingPavenents1995]

Honestly she can do ANYTHING. We stan

[@coda7626]

I got to meet both MJ and George after this show and they were both such sweethearts :,,)

[@dougy_dawg]

Are we just gonna ignore the fact that Mr. Mushnik is Bertram from Jessie?

[@OptimusPhillip]

I didn't notice it before, and now I can't unsee it. He even dresses the same!

[@discoshark7767]

I KNEW IT!! Even all pixely I KNEW just from seeing him!

[@thedramaclub2198]

I now wanna play Audrey 2 I’m a girl but Amber Ryle did it well so can I!!!!! Now I’m gonna sing feed me now it’s stuck in my head and this cast got me hooked

[@anerd1844]

I believe you can =) also I like your pfp

[@thedramaclub2198]

Michael Mell Mega Fan thanks I also like ur pfp and name

[@expressobeanmilk]

beautiful, beautiful proifles

[@thedramaclub2198]

@@expressobeanmilk thank u 😊

[@expressobeanmilk]

@@thedramaclub2198 np

[@ashlynmcgonigle]

Ugh why do I always watch musicals that make me cry

[@redtopcosplay2004]

I personally have had a love hate relationship with this production that turns more to love nowadays. But I know Howard would adore this. And that’s all I need

[@wilexly]

I am in love with the production.

[@Klainer721]

I can’t thank you enough for this!! Such a beautiful production of one of my favorite shows 😭❤️💕

[@ChasingPavenents1995]

This deserved all the hype the Jonathan Geoff production got and I’ll be pissed about it FOREVER

[@actress5256]

Thé somewhere that’s green reprise is so beautiful and tragic

[@girliboi]

some of the strongest voices of the bootlegs on youtube, just wish the choreography/costumes were up to the same level.

[@isaiahbaston]

they are, it’s just recorded poorly. nonetheless grateful to this boot

[@pershingplayhouse6867]

Howard Ashman would be proud.

[@anerd1844]

Sominex/suppertime ii. I actually really liked that ALOT

[@actress5256]

The meek shall Inherit is so creepy and strong in this version

[@danielsaxgod5943]

Damn i was n o t ready to cry tonight

[@artimissbarker1690]

I love during suppertime when Audrey 2 face is created using the lights.

[@MisterG2323]

Second viewing after your original post. What a lovely, strange, and interesting production! Thank you for posting this!

[@yourweirdunclejosh5670]

THANK GOD TABNK TOU

[@elladrew4045]

Thanks so much💚🌱

[@mariabreu3056]

Thank you!!!

[@redtopcosplay2004]

Why does mushniks hair change??

[@presshum2006]

i'm assuming he bought a toupee now that the shop is getting more money. either that or shows from different days are spliced together here

[@TylerPoplin]

10:22

[@bunny_chanb8627]

Bravo

[@kendallneuwiller1975]

Ok I might sound stupid but I don’t understand this very well and I’ve watched both parts😂

[@Jess-iv6um]

Evil plant.

[@danyul8578]

Alien plant lands on earth and is discovered by human man, promises him fame and wealth if he feeds it human blood, plant gets bigger and overthrows human and takes over the world as it came there to do

[@Fluffadoodle]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA OMG I CRIED SO MUCH IDK WHY

[@fro_ggy3354]

17:30

[@alexanderparker2219]

so what exactly happens when audrey 2 eats people

[@MarioMartinez-ek5ev]

This is a really weird production that misses that point With every drop of blood taken in and person it eats, it grows massively large I'm the end it's hinted that it and it's offspring have become Godzilla sized eating city after city

[@jhosk92]

@@MarioMartinez-ek5ev I actually really do love this take though. Not only does it question "is any of this actually happening? or is it just in Seymour's head?", it's also just very Lovecraftian to me. Becaus of that, It feels alot more like an alien parasite, hiding it's true form, size, and damage it can make. "Oh, no, it's okay. It's just this small little plant. What harm could it do?"

[@kuaia3245]

@@jhosk92 what does lovecraftian mean?

[@sunnywhite196]

​@@kuaia3245It means that it makes the audience question whether Seymour is actually insane and just imagining Audrey 2 talking and is justifying all of the death caused by his inaction and greed or if the plant can actually grow to Godzilla sized proportions and eat the entire world. And since both Audrey 2 and everything from H.P. Lovecraft is alien in nature, the plant shifting size at will and being very strange looking (From what I could make out of it, it looks like a Star Spawn of H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos instead of the Venus flytrap of the movie) fits in with Lovecraft lore.

[@kuaia3245]

@@sunnywhite196 oh, right! thx

[@christophersalinas2328]

I can’t tell if this production is trying to be serious or not? The script is doing it’s job. Punchlines hit naturally but taking a serious approach clashes with the cheekiness that’s traditionally taken.