At center, Seymour (Eli Rhodenhiser) introduces the seemingly innocent Audrey II plant to his boss Mrs. Mushnik (Jessica Shapiro), as his coworker and friend Audrey (Etsie Arruda) looks on.

Photo by Dwight Cendrowski

This is part of an ongoing series of theater reviews of local high school productions, written by high school students, that will appear on AnnArbor.com. This week, Skyline High School's Jonathan Jue-Wong (see bio at end of story) reviews Community High School's production of "Little Shop of Horrors."

By Jonathan Jue-Wong What happens when love, ambition, greed, and a man-eating carnivorous plant collide amidst a toe-tapping blend of ‘50s doowop and retro rock? Such is the question that Community High’s Community Ensemble Theater was attempting to answer last weekend with its production of "Little Shop of Horrors."

Although it has dark and violent elements, the show is comic and satirical. It is based on the 1960 film by Roger Corman, which spoofed the ridiculous horror movies of that time. The funky and catchy score was written by Alan Menken, with a book by Howard Ashman. Directed by recently appointed Community theater director and teacher Quinn Strassel, the sold-out show ran this past weekend.

In Strassel’s words, "Little Shop of Horrors is a musical about a “plant that that takes over the world and there’s nothing you can do about it!” The show follows a geeky, awkward flower store employee named Seymour who works for the cantankerous store owner Mushnik in the fictional “Skid Row,” a rough urban area of town. His life is suddenly changed when he discovers and cultivates a mysterious — and dangerous —alien plant from space, whom he names “Audrey II,” after the girl he’s in love with. Unfortunately for Seymour and humankind, the monstrous plant has an appetite solely for human blood and flesh.

Strassel’s primary goal in the production was “to create excitement about theater at Community High School.” He certainly achieved this goal, by making several big decisions about the show.

"Little Shop of Horrors" is typically performed by a small ensemble of actors. Strassel, however, “decided to create the environment of Skid Row, where it takes place, by having a ‘Skid Row’ chorus where students surround the audience during the show.” A chorus of 24 motley, shabby, and very lively students surrounded the audience for much of the show. Although they did create the feel of Skid Row in all their homeless, tough, and out-of-luck glory, an unfortunate effect of having such a large chorus was that they occasionally drowned out the leads’ singing during two-part musical numbers. However, the small band that accompanied the singers, led by Ben Cohen, was skillful with the music and demonstrated great preparation.

Although it was an ensemble piece, several actors strongly stood out. Eli Rhodenhiser played Semour with appropriate awkwardness, blandness, and an overall sense of being ill-at-ease that persisted throughout most of the show.

The character of “Mrs.” Mushnik (Jessica Shapiro), although traditionally a male character, was strong, brash, and the archetypal cranky boss. Shapiro portrayed Mushnik with 100 percent commitment to the ornery character, with seeming ease. Audrey II (Rosie Sullivan) was delightful as the evil plant from outer space; seductive, tempting, wicked and self-serving but oh-so-persuasive.

Although they were not lead characters, two ensemble players truly impressed me. Chiffon (Bradie Connor), a member of the “Greek Chorus” which was the singing gang of Skid Row girls, was sassy, with attitude and verve that distinguished her. The characters of Patricia Martin and the Customer (both played by Megan Shiplett) showed off Shiplett’s excellent farcical over-acting that was humorous and utterly fitting for the show’s satirical style.

These performance strengths aside, a major concern that Mr. Strassel expressed was that “we don’t have a choir program” at Community High School; students involved in the show are not being trained daily on how to skillfully sing. This did affect the production; the acting was stronger than the singing. Two of the leads, Seymour (Eli Rhodenhiser) and Audrey (Etsie Arruda) sometimes struggled with their solo songs, although Arruda’s rendition of “Somewhere That’s Green: Reprise” was successfully soft and quietly compelling.

There were strong singers on hand. The part of Mrs. Mushnik (Jessica Shapiro) requires character singing, which Shapiro admirably did, singing with a strong, confident, and clear voice that fit the character. Audrey II (Rosie Sullivan) was an outstanding singer, with near-flawless vocal execution, a natural musicality, a concentrated sound, and impressive use of dynamics that expressed all of her nefarious intents.

Another big change that Mr. Strassel chose to make was to have three green-painted, costumed dancers be the mature Audrey II’s vines and tendrils. This was an innovative decision, as the dancers underscored Audrey II’s seductive nature with their sensual, ‘come hither’ dancing, choreographed by Connie Trahar.

All technical elements of the show were proficient. Scene and lighting transitions were quick, clean, and crisp, under stage manager Joey Houghton. There was an admirable attention to detail in the scenic design; the audience is completely immersed in Skid Row. Everything you’d see in a dilapidated alley in the Bronx, i.e. chain-link fence, tattered blankets, old crates, beer bottles, you name it — they had it. The prop body of Audrey II was very impressive, and in the finale it had vines arching over the audience, hoisted by pulleys. CET truly optimized the limited performance space of the Craft Theater and used every available corner, wall, and platform.

In light of across-the-board cutbacks in arts education statewide, it is commendable what Strassel has done just in his first few months at Community. Instead of CET shrinking, Mr. Strassel has helped the program grow; "Little Shop of Horrors" had more than 50 students involved in it.

Strassel commented, “I wanted to give as many people as possible the chance to perform.” He was looking for heart and newfound enthusiasm for theater, not perfection. And in CET’s "Little Shop of Horrors," it truly was “heart” — joy, eagerness, and dedication — that shone on the Craft Theater stage, more than any single performer.

Jonathan Jue-Wong is currently a junior at Skyline High School. He is a member of Skyline Theatre Company and is on its 2010-2011 Student Board, as Historian. He has performed in numerous productions there and elsewhere, one of his favorites being Molière's "The Imaginary Cuckold." Since 2009, he has been a member of the International Thespian Society, Troop #7400. He is very interested in writing and journalism, and is considering a career in those fields.