Near West Theatre’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is bloomin’ terrific

Near West Theatre began as a summer youth theatre program in 1980. Back then it was known as “Near West Side Shared Ministry Youth Theatre”. The original founders included Stephanie Morrison, Reverend George Hrbek and Father Robert Scullin. The first production was “Godspell” with Robert Navis Jr. joining as the musical director.

In 1982 with a seed grant from The George Gund Foundation the theater expanded to become inter-generational as adults were added to the casts. Along with a name change in 1985 to “Near West Side Community Theatre” they also earned the “Governor’s Youth Recognition Award”. In 1999 the name was changed lastly to Near West Theatre as it became a 501(c)3 organization.

On February 28, 2015 Near West Theatre opened the doors of its brand new ADA compliant LEED Gold Certified 24,465 square foot performance venue at 6702 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.

From its humble beginnings, NWT has been the gold standard of community theater and a shining example of all inclusiveness. It has always been a haven in the community where anyone can participate regardless of race, creed, sexual identity, size, gender or age. It is a tight knit family that puts on stupendous shows that are entertaining and well imagined. After forty five Near West Theatre is still true to its founding principles.

The current production is a reimagined version of Alan Menken (lyrics) and Howard Ashman’s (book) “Little Shop of Horrors” based on the 1960 low budget black comedy film “The Little Shop of Horrors”. The musical premiered off-off-Broadway in 1982 before moving off-Broadway to the Orpheum Theatre for a five year run. It later had numerous productions in the U.S. and abroad and later a limited Broadway production.

Seymour Krelborn (Pat Miller) is a down on his luck geeky floral assistant orphan working in a seedy skid row floral shop. Working with Seymour is Audrey (Sydney Noelle Warren) who has fashion sense bordering on the exhuberant. The owner of the shop is the cranky Mr. Mushnick (Chris Sgarlata).

Seymour spends his spare time trying to invent new species of flowers and plants. After a sudden eclipse of the sun Seymour discovers a mysterious new plant among his purchased experiments that resembles a large Venus flytrap. Seymour names the new plant Audrey II (Stephanie Samuels) in honor of his co-worker whom he is in love with.

It soon becomes apparent that Audrey II is not doing well in its new environment and is in fact dying. When Seymour pricks his finger on a rose thorn and draws blood Audrey II reacts. Seymour realizes that the plant needs human blood to survive. With an ingestion of Seymour’s Type A, Audrey II soon recovers and begins to grow and thrive becoming an attraction in the flower shop window. This generates more business for Mushnik making Seymour a hero.

Meanwhile, the original Audrey is in an abusive relationship with her dentist boyfriend, Orin Scrivello (Danny Simpson). Audrey dreams of leaving Orin and living with Seymour in a tract home with TV Dinners and plastic covered furniture. Orin encourages Seymour to leave the shop and sell cuttings nationwide. Mushnik, realizing the source of his new found wealth offers to adopt Seymour and make him a full partner in the business. Seymour is dangerously running low on blood with Audrey II demanding more all the while promising to fulfill all of his dreams.

Seymour goes to a late night appointment with Orin intending to kill him because of his abuse against Audrey. In the end, Seymour loses his nerve. Orin, meanwhile is getting high on nitrous oxide when his face mask gets stuck on his face. Orin begs Seymour to save him who instead allows him to die. In order to get rid of the body, Seymour feeds Orin to a ravenous Audrey II.

According to Director Trinidad Snider over 100 people auditioned for the fourteen roles. Under Snider’s watchful eye as well as the skilled tutelage of musical director Bradley Wyner and choreographer Kirk Eichelberger the cast spent ten intense weeks leading up to opening night honing their singing, dancing and acting skills. The show features a spectacular multi-tiered stage set designed by Perren Hedderson that included the flower shop that opens up from a street scene into its interior as well as a full size Audrey II costumed by David Lowe Jr. and Venchise Phillips.

As for the cast, they are wonderful. Pat Miller as Seymour strikes the right chord as the shy main character. Sydney Noelle Warren is perfect as his romantic interest who is trying to leave an abusive relationship. Chris Sgarlata as the “mean Mr. Mushnik” is grand in the part. Danny Simpson shines as Orin Scrivello especially during his “Be A Dentist” number and also fills in on a number of short vignettes at the end. Sara Danielle Chapman as Chiffon, Paris Bunch as Crystal and Sarah Green as Ronnette have perfect 50s harmony and come off as a feisty trio. The real surprise is Stephanie Samuels as Audrey II with her powerful gospel voice that has the rafters ringing with joy. The ensemble is made up of Jasmine Banes, Kyla Burks, Mike Mahoney, Katie Mounts, Ricky Ortega and Camila Pinero who sing and dance as one.

Opening night saw an enthusiastic and exuberant crowd cheer on the robust performance of local talent. This is a case where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts with a very tight cast who work flawlessly together. I would highly recommend seeing this show.

Near West Theater’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” will be on stage at 6702 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio through February 16, 2025. For more information and to order tickets go to https://www.nearwesttheatre.org/ or call (216) 961-6391.