(Cover Photo: Cortlandt Barrett as “Chiffon” with Bryan Miner as “Mr. Mushnik” in a scene from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through June 29, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724   

"Bop-sha-bop, you'll never stop the terror!" 

                                               - ("Little Shop of Horrors") / Alan Menken and Howard Ashman

Greater Boston Stage Company  

Presents the Broadway Musical

"LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS"

A Riotous Musical Comedy That’s Simply to Die For! 

Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman 

Music by Alan Menken 

Directed by Ilana Ransom Toeplitz 

Music Director Bethany Aiken 

Choreographer Chris Shin 

Stage Manager Shauwna Dias Grillo

Cast Includes: Cortlandt Barrett as “Chiffon/U/S Audrey,” Becky Bass* as “Crystal/U/S Audrey II,” Aimée Coleman as “U/S Crystal/ Chiffon/Ronnette,” Will Davis-Kay as “U/S Mr. Mushnik/Orin/Seymour,” Stephen Markarian* as “Seymour,” Sydney T. Grant* as “Audrey II Puppeteer,” Bryan Miner*+ as “Mr. Mushnik,” Anthony Pires Jr.* as “Audrey II,” Pearl Scott as “Ronnette,” Kayla Shimizu as “Audrey,” Jared Troilo* as “Orin/Others/ Dance Captain.”   

Additional Creative Team: 

Assistant Director/Dramaturg - Shira Helena Gitlin; Assistant Choreographer - Elliana Karris; Dance Captain - Jared Troilo*; Scenic Designer - Erik D. Diaz^; Scenic Builder - Misfit Toys Theatrical; Scenic Assistant - Octavia Reohr; Lighting Designer - Corey Whittemore; Costume Designer - Chelsea Kerl; Sound Designer - John Stone; Hair Designer - Crystal Martin; Properties Designer - Adelaide Majeski; Sound Operator/Master Electrician/Production Manager - Meghan Ward; Production Stage Managers - Shauwna Dias Grillo*, Miranda Gonzalez*; Assistant Stage Manager - Cassie Lebeau*; Intimacy Director - Liv Dumaine; Production Assistants - Sam Kiff And Madelyn Traynor; Assistant Production Manager - Ryan Natcharian; Art & Soul Consulting - Ariel Welch

* Member of Actor’s Equity Association 

# Member of SSDC  

^ member of IATSE/USA  

+Young Company alumni

Performances:

June 6, 2025 through June 29, 2025

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times) 

GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY, 395 Main Street Stoneham, MA. 02180 

Reserve your tickets today!

Box Office Hours: Mondays – Fridays, noon to 6pm Box Office # 781-279-2200 

boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

BUY TICKETS

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

Greater Boston Stage Company (GBSC) offers up a silly yet utterly fantastic production of "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" which is sheer perfection. 

It is not often that a production captures that “lightning in a bottle” feel – that rare amalgamation of talented creative team and cast that results in not only a faithful production of a classic but one with its own personality.   

GBSC has succeeded in doing just that as this is one of the best productions of "LITTLE SHOP" to be seen in this area in many years. 

Of course, before it hits the stage, it all begins on the page - and this beloved horror comedy rock musical begins with great music by Alan Menken featuring lyrics and a book written by Howard Ashman. 

The story follows a well-meaning but ill-fated, misguided young florist shop worker who raises a plant that cannibalizes on human blood and flesh. 

Obvious fodder for a musical, right? 

And yet, it works and has continued to work entertaining audiences for over 40 years! 

The musical premiered off-off-Broadway in 1982 before moving to off-Broadway, where it had a successful five-year run. 

Since then, it has been staged many times both in the U.S. and abroad, and has had a subsequent Broadway revival. 

The GBSC musical was inspired by the low-budget 1960 B-movie flick, "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS." 

The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, yielded many familiar tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)," "Dentist!" "Somewhere That's Green" and "Suddenly, Seymour."  

Before certain aspects of the musical came under scrutiny for “questionable content” (such as physical abuse and murder) for many years "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" was a staple musical performed at many community theatres and schools. 

The show would also be adapted into the highly successful 1986 film directed by legendary puppeteer, filmmaker and actor Frank Oz (who, in this reviewer’s opinion, and without spoilers, got the “ending” right although original "LITTLE SHOP" purists would disagree). 

Under the inspired direction of Ilana Ransom Toeplitz, the cast brings forth their interpretation of many beloved characters. 

Each actor in this cast of eight (and one puppeteer) not only offers a faithful interpretation to meet audience expectations they also bring to each character a uniqueness and (dare I say it?) a charm all their own. 

Right from the outset, as the GBSC staging of the musical unfolds, we are downtown (presumably in New York City) in the aptly named “Skid Row.” 

Denizens of the Skid Row streets linger around the floral shop owned by Mr. Mushnik (Bryan Miner). 

There is a trio of street urchins named after notable “Doo Wop” girl groups of the era: Crystal (Becky Bass), Ronnette (Pearl Scott) and Chiffon (Cortlandt Barrett). 

The three actresses give the impression they are rock stars...and they are. 

Their chemistry is undeniable and their voices blend magnificently. 

Serving not only like a Greek Chorus, commenting and singing on the plot points throughout the show, the trio also participates in many ways and in most of the show’s score. 

The overall costuming for the GBSC production is fabulous, but there was a questionable choice of “school uniforms” made for the trio which just looks odd. 

However, this does not in any way diminish the overall strength this trio of rock stars brings to the production. 

Together, the musical trio sets the scene and tone for the show, establishing it as a fun, frolicking musical…about abuse, deception, desperation and murder. 

Seymour (Stephen Markarian) is a poor young slob, an adult cast aside who literally grew up living in Mushnik’s shop on Skid Row. 

Audrey (Kayla Shimizu) is a sweet, forthcoming, attractive blonde with a fashion sense that leans towards the cheap. 

She also has an unfortunate and hapless taste in men, which becomes quite apparent as the story continues. 

Seymour and Audrey work together at Mushnik’s failing run-down flower shop which may soon shut down forever due to lack of customers. 

Together with Mushnik, the trio and the denizens of Skid Row, Seymour and Audrey grieve over their respective situations and where they live in the show’s first big musical number, "Skid Row (Downtown)."  

(Photo: Becky Bass as “Crystal,” Cortlandt Barrett as “Chiffon” and Pearl Scott as “Ronnette” in a scene from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through June 29, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

The staging by Toeplitz is marvelously supplemented by Chris Shin’s choreography, expertly using the entire GBSC stage space. 

Audrey prompts Seymour to show Mushnik a rare and strange plant, the “Audrey II,” which Seymour has been nurturing since a sudden total eclipse of the sun. 

In the musical number "Da-Doo" with the trio, Seymour tells Mushnik the story of how he came into possession of the odd looking plant which resembles a bizarre and large Venus flytrap. 

While skeptical at first, Mushnik soon becomes an ardent believer as the plant instantly prompts new business. 

However, the plant is also sick and perhaps even dying, which concerns them all. 

Although Seymour takes very good care of the Audrey II, nothing seems to be working as he conveys in the number, "Grow For Me." 

Accidentally injuring his finger on a rose thorn, drawing blood, Audrey II opens thirstily, seemingly beckoning to the concerned Seymour. 

Seymour quickly understands that Audrey II requires blood to survive. 

Soon, Seymour will learn that Audrey II will need a lot more than just blood. 

As the ominous plant grows, it becomes a major attraction at Mushnik’s shop bringing in all kinds of business.   

Miner gives a spot-on portrayal of the double-dealing Mushnik, who clearly takes advantage of Seymour's innocence by offering to adopt him and make him a full partner in the business in the hilarious number, "Mushnik and Son." 

(Photo: Kayla Shimizu as “Audrey,” Stephen Markarian as “Seymour,” and  Bryan Miner as “Mr. Mushnik” in a scene from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through June 29, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

Entering into the equation is Audrey’s abusive boyfriend, dentist Orin Scrivello, DDS (Jared Troilo).   

Troilo commands the stage in every scene in which he appears, showing great range, comicality and diversity portraying multiple characters throughout the show. 

The above comes with quick costume changes, occasionally done at breakneck speed. 

Troilo also brilliantly showcases the maniacal, sadistic nature of Orin the dentist (which, if you, like me, already hate dentists, may seem redundant) in the musical number aptly entitled, "Dentist!".   

While Audrey does not wish to be in such a position, she feels she is doomed to her relationship filled with abuse because of where and how she lives in Skid Row. 

Shimizu absolutely beams as the beleaguered (and battered) Audrey, who would much rather be elsewhere, living with a nice guy, like Seymour. 

Audrey dreams about an ideal suburban life with a tract home just outside the interstate, frozen dinners, and plastic on the furniture in the tender melancholy number from the show, “Somewhere That's Green,” superbly rendered by Shimizu. 

Soon, Audrey II speaks to the amazed Seymour and begins to make unreasonable demands of its caretaker…murderous demands. 

Audrey II needs more human blood in amounts that can only come from consuming an entire human body. 

While Seymour refuses at first, once he witnesses Orin’s abuse of Audrey, he knows he must act. 

Seymour feels he can save and win the affections of Audrey, save Mushnik’s shop and rid Skid Row of the demented dentist all while serving the doomed DDS up as a rinse and spit treat to the Audrey II plant. 

(Photo: Stephen Markarian as “Seymour,”  with Jared Troilo as “Orin”  in a scene from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through June 29, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

In "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" making the plant work well 'stems' from the combination of puppetry, in this case the larger GBSC "Audrey II" movements are supplied by puppeteer Sydney T. Grant while Anthony Pires, Jr. supplies the voice of the (literally) bloodthirsty plant. 

Pires who, similar to Troilo portrays other characters in the show, gives an inspired vocalization as the manipulative “Audrey II,” especially in the musical duet, "Feed Me (Git It)” with Markarian. 

The show would be nothing without a mensch-y, well-meaning (if misguided) Seymour, and Markarian gives an outstanding performance as this sweet (yet tormented) soul.   

The largest plant puppet utilized in "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" appears in the second act and seems to usually presents a high degree of difficulty in maneuvering and, while this is true in the GBSC production, it does not diminish from the overall grandeur of the plant. 

While it was managed well throughout, the mouthing by Grant did not always align with the largest plant’s dialogue uttered by Pires.   

As the show progresses, Seymour is faced with more challenges as the success of Mushnik’s business grows. 

Seymour must soon decide how to deal with the increasing homicidal nature and sinister intentions of the plant. 

(Photo: Cortlandt Barrett as “Chiffon” with Bryan Miner as “Mr. Mushnik” in a scene from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through June 29, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

All the GBSC performances - led by the show’s quartet of central characters as played by Markarian, Shimizu, Miner and Troilo - are exceptional. 

As mentioned, director Toeplitz maximizes the entire space at GBSC, allowing for minimal downtime during any scene changes.

The high praise also extends to the respective GBSC teams responsible for the multiple props and wigs used throughout the show. 

The show's band, led by music director Bethany Aiken, never misses a beat. 

The insertion of some concise, specialized musical “punctuation” in the score - used to highlight some of the comedy in the story - is executed to perfection. 

The success of any "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" production not only “grows” from the aforementioned plant team, it also must come from solid performances given by the musical's principal leads and supporting cast, and certainly it is here where the successful GBSC production succeeds.

(Photo: Kayla Shimizu as “Audrey” with Stephen Markarian as “Seymour” in a pivotal moment from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" now playing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. through June 29, 2025. Photo Credit Niles Scott Studios)

"LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" concludes its magnificent reign of terror at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, MA. as of June 29^th, 2025. 

Coming up next at Greater Boston Stage Company will be David Templeton's the treacherously chaotic comedy, “FEATHERBABY”  beginning September 12^th, 2025.  

For tickets, contact the Box Office at # 781-279-2200 or at boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

Approximately two hours with one intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

A devilishly delicious sci-fi sensation, "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" has mesmerized audiences for over 30 years. 

This iconic musical follows Seymour Krelborn, a floral assistant who encounters a mysterious plant named “Audrey II.” 

With promises of fame in exchange for blood, Audrey II’s sinister intentions gradually unfold. 

Seamlessly blending humor, horror, and irresistible tunes, this cult classic promises an unforgettable trip down on Skid Row!

ABOUT GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY 

We bring vibrant professional theatre and dramatic education beyond the boundaries of Boston, featuring world and regional premieres alongside fresh interpretations of familiar work. Within this setting, we uniquely foster the artists of tomorrow by providing ongoing performance and employment opportunities to our company of current and former students. Located in Stoneham, MA. GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY produces five Mainstage shows, presents a series of Special Events, and runs year-round classes, lessons, and fully staged productions through The Young Company for students in grades 1–12.

GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY 

395 Main Street 

Stoneham, MA. 02180 

Box Office # 781-279-2200 

boxoffice@greaterbostonstage.org

greaterbostonstage.org