The Slow Burn Theatre Company did it again with the current running (last day is Sunday, October 30) “Little Shop Of Horrors” at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center.
I must admit I was a bit nervous walking into the theater as “Little Shop” was such an iconic movie that I loved during my teen years. There was a lot of pressure in my mind for the show to live up to, and live up to the original they did.
The show opens with Khadijah Rolle, Kareema Khouri, and Nayomi Braaf playing the roles of Ronnette, Chiffon, and Crystal, who make up the musical chorus for the entire show. Their voices and movement carry the show along and are a joy to listen to and watch.
After their first number the set opened to give the illusion of the inside of Mushnik flower shop. The set opening and closing was so impressive, as it was Broadway quality.
The rest of the cast, who are all great in their roles, consist of Seymour (Nick Anastasia), Mr. Mushnik (Matthew W. Korinko), Audrey (Caiti Marlowe), and Orin (Jeffrey Keller). They all capture the essence of their characters perfectly, but the standout in this production is Jeffrey Keller. He plays many small (and eclectic) roles in the show, but it’s as Dentist Orin that he steals the show. We first see him in his tight pants, combat boots, a leather jacket and sleeveless shirt, and that sets the mood of who this Dentist is, but it’s through his antics of sexual thrusting and acting after inhaling laughing gas that kept the audience laughing.
A special kudos to the prop department that kept the plant (Audrey 2) growing at a realistic pace until it is HUGE!
This is a fun show that you must see, as I promise you will leave happier, and you will thank me for recommending it!
Little Shop of Horrors plays: Thursday Oct 27 at 7:30pm, Friday Oct 28 at 7:30pm, Saturday, Oct 29 at 1 and 7:30pm and the final show is Sunday, Oct 30 at 1pm. Purchase your tickets at Browardcenter.org.
Slow Burn’s mission is to showcase the best of contemporary musical theatre to South Florida, particularly by producing high-quality shows that likely have not been seen by their audiences. They recognize and support the incredible talents of South Florida’s creative professionals, and they provide them with a home where they can create and perform in a nurturing and rewarding environment.
For more information on the theatre, go to: slowburntheatre.org. Additional shows they are producing this season are: Footloose – December 17 – January 1, 2023; Honeymoon in Vegas – February 4 – 19; Mary Poppins – March 25 – April 9; and Newsies – June 10 – 25, 2023
