TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

The Costa Mesa Police Department may not be aware of it, but there’s a

huge, ravenous plant devouring humans right next door to its

headquarters.

It’s all in fun, of course. It’s the Vanguard University production

of “Little Shop of Horrors,” a campy spoof of scary flicks that had its

genesis 40 years ago when Roger Corman, the emperor of B movies, came up

with the film’s goofy plot, which caught on with a frenzy matched only by

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

His straight comedy became an off-Broadway musical 20 years later and

ran for 2,209 performances. It’s been a staple of colleges and community

theaters ever since, surfacing just last fall at Costa Mesa’s Trilogy

Playhouse.

Now Vanguard is offering its take on “Little Shop,” with a centerpiece

carnivore bigger than any “Audrey II” seen locally. It’s got a mouth big

enough to devour the entire audience.

Director Carey Smith not only has fashioned an eminently enjoyable

production, he also serves as the voice of the plant, which growls “feed

me” at every opportunity. Smith hits the right satirical note on this

farcical fable, stretching stereotypes to the breaking point and

occasionally beyond.

The two leading roles of Seymour, the nebbish who raises the killer

plant, and Audrey, his comely co-worker, are double cast. On opening

night they were in the capable hands of Paul Hanegan and Amy Doctorchik,

who alternate with Erick Kristianson and Stephanie Wood.

Hanegan is the epitome of geekdom, resembling a young Arnold Stang.

His performance is splendidly earnest in its self-deprecating comedy,

though his singing voice could be stronger, especially in the early

ensemble numbers where he labors to make himself heard over the music.

Hanegan skillfully conveys his moral dilemma when confronted with a

fateful choice regarding the fate of his lucrative creation.

The blondly bewigged Doctorchik is marvelously kooky, bearing battle

scars from her brutal boyfriend with vacuous resignation -- fortunately,

the show is set in the ‘50s, not that such behavior was any less

reprehensible then, just more accepted.

She also possesses a superior singing voice, particularly in her

poignant solo “Somewhere That’s Green” as she dreams of a mundane

suburban existence far from Skid Row. And her character’s lisp is

hilarious when she warbles “Suddenly Seymour.”

Tim Larson conveys a strong, avaricious characterization as Seymour’s

boss, Mr. Mushnik, who “adopts” the young man to keep his

customer-drawing plant. As Audrey’s sadistic swain, a dentist who gets

off on patients’ pain, Joel Agee pushes his character to the limit, and

sometimes beyond, physically resembling a cross between Elvis and the

Frankenstein monster. The roles of the three backup singers, each dubbed

for a ‘50s vocal group, is handled by Katrina Rodriguez, Tammy Coffin and

Rebecca J. Hull with verve and gusto. They also perform a plethora of

costume changes hardly available in their characters’ Skid Row

environment. Their harmonizing evokes nostalgic memory of the Crystals,

the Ronettes, etc.

Horticulturists may wince, but “Little Shop of Horrors” is a satiric

delight, a tribute to the sci-fi schlock of the ‘50s and ‘60s that, on

occasion, produced a classic like “The Day the Earth Stood Still” or

“Forbidden Planet.”

Check out the lobby display of such movie posters on your way into the

theater.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

WHAT: “Little Shop of Horrors”

WHERE: Vanguard University, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Closing performances 8 p.m. today through Saturday, 2 p.m.

Sunday.

COST: $15

PHONE: (714) 668-6145