**** Those of you who know my writing ( as well as what I say on-air), know that I continue to tell potential audience members that just because they have seen a play before, doesn’t mean that the next time they see it will be the same. A different director, cast, set et al will alter the images that will be projected to the audience. This stands out as Paramount Theatre presents its production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on its fabulous stage in Aurora. For the most part, this unique work with a book and lyrics  by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, for the most part, is done in smaller theaters making it a very intimate experience. After all, it is part love story!

The Paramount Theatre is a wonderful venue that has been brought back to its glory by the City and those behind the rejuvenation of this glorious theatre. It is a large stage and the set design (Jeffrey D. Kmiec) is a masterpiece. The story takes place in “Skid Row” and in the flower shop owned by  Mr. Mushnik ( the always reliable Gene Weygandt is perfect). With the larger set, there is more space to be filled, so unlike most productions of this show, there are far more ensemble members, making it work. Smoothly directed by Landree Fleming, the large stage becomes smaller as the action moves along.

This story is for the most part about individuals who some might call “losers”. Let’s face it, we are in a florist shop in “Skid Row”. Who is buying flowers in that area? For what? Your employees are Seymour ( played to perfection by Jack Ball) a nerdy kid who was taken in by Mr. Mushnik to do odd jobs, clean up and make deliveries and the other employee is a young woman, Audrey ( Teressa LaGamba brings this character to life) who is what many might call a “dumb blonde”. These are the people of the florist shop.

Each of these people have so-so lives, making it from one day to the next. Audrey is hoping to find the right man who will take her out of this slum and make her life glamorous. Seymour wants a better life and to make everyone around him happy. It would be heaven on earth to have their dreams come true. Then one day, Seymour discovers a new plant. He names it Audrey II ( in honor of the woman he loves) and they place it in the shop window. It attracts attention and from that point on the lives of these people change. But do they!

By the way, Audrey is dating a dentist ( Russell Mernagh does a great job) who is nasty, mean and harmful. He hits her and does drugs, but he is the only man who just might make her dreams come true.

I don’t want to give away the story for those who have never seen a production. I will tell you that the plant is a blood sucking plant that only grows and thrives on human blood. What take splace in the story is a love between Seymour and Audrey, a closer relationship between Mushnik and Seymour ( who becomes the adopted son), the death of a few people and general havoc as the plant, Audrey II becomes a major player in the lives of all of these people…and more.

The ensemble is composed of the three ladies, Chiffon (Lydia Burke),Crystal (Marta Bady) and Ronette (Tickwayna Jones) who are the “Greek Chorus” so to speak, telling us the story as part of their action. They are like a “Supremes” trio. The ensemble: August Forman, Jared David Michael Grant, Sean Patrick Fawcett, Ann Delaney, Darian Goulding, Shelbi Voss, Jeff Pierpoint ,and Je’Sean Jackson as Audrey II (voice) and  Adam Fane (Audrey II puppeteer) .

The man-eating plants used in this production were designed and created by Skylight Music Theatre (with generous support from the Rockwell Corporation) along with the Paramount prop department with consultation by Simone Tegge and Mike Oleon.

Jesse Gaffney is in charge of props and also designed the puppets. Katie Cordts did the hair and makeup and the electronic music was designed by Ethan Deppe. Adam Rosenthal did the sound and the lights were designed by Jose Santiago. Yvonne Miranda did the costumes and Max Fabian the intimacy and fight choreography ( some call it intimacy director). The choreography was handled by Michael George and Mariah Morris and the music conducted by Kory Danielson.

They say it takes a lot of people to make a show whole and the folks at Paramount are pretty special at building a team to bring wonderful shows on a consistent basis. Looks like they did it again!

There is a voice over at the very start of the two hours on entertainment. Older theater audiences may remember Ms. Hollis Resnik, an amazing local talent that travelled the country with many shows. Her voice is “A voice not unlike God” to start the show. May her memory always be for a blessing. She played Audrey at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Summit in 1986 and Mr. Weygandt played Seymour.

” Little Shop of Horrors” will continue Thru – Oct 15, 2023 with performances as follows: