Down on Skid Row
12.04.2011Ever seen a giant flytrap eat a person? How about four people…on stage?! Did I mention there’s singing? Okay, enough mystery. I’m talking about “Little Shop of Horrors” the musical that’s being put on this weekend in the Black Box Theatre. Yes, a full musical being performed in that small space. And let me tell you, it totally rocks.
I’m actually pretty sure no one has ever attempted to put on a full company musical there before, because it’s such a staging, sound, and space challenge. However, my roommate Emily took on this challenge for her Senior Theatre thesis project—in UD terms it’s dubbed a “490” because that’s the catalog number for the class. Anyway, that’s not the point. The point is that she has this knack for doing things people tell her she can’t do, and she does them well. I probably won’t tell her I’m writing this blog, because she’ll just get embarrassed and humble, but if you know her or you’ve seen the show don’t hesitate to show your appreciation because she has given her entire semester (and last summer) to this project.
Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox and tell you what the show is actually about. The basic plot is that a “strange and interesting plant,” Audrey 2, shows up on Skid Row (the rough city neighborhood where the show is set) and Seymour begins to nurture it, gaining success and fame for himself and for the flower shop where he works. Once he figures out that the plant eats only blood, however, he begins to take part in some questionable acts to keep the plant alive while simultaneously trying to win the affections of Audrey (the human, not the plant.) I don’t want to give away the ending, so if you want to know more you can go rent the movie, although I’m biased to say that this show may be better…
Again, congrats to everyone who’s been working so hard on this show, especially Emily and Kat (my roommate who’s an urchin in the show.) I’m so proud of you guys and what you’ve accomplished. This is just further evidence of the opportunities that wait at UD—just because it’s never been done before doesn’t mean you can’t start it!