A flytrap type plant from outer space takes up residence in a flower shop and starts eating people

Photos courtesy Pintello Comedy Theater
Above left: From left, Tyler Savin who plays Seymour, and James Swan who plays Mushnik, during a recent rehearsal for the upcoming show. Above right: from left, Chloe Angst, as Audrey, and Tyler Savin, as Seymour, in “Little Shop of Horrors.” The musical comedy opened Jan. 10

By Camille Bounds

Pintello Comedy Theater’s latest production is “Little Shop Of Horrors,” a silly delightful bit of fun for South Valley audiences. You may not leave the theater humming any of the tunes, but you will feel good and perhaps a little giddy. In these days of stress and election harping, this well done “Little Shop of Horrors” may be just what the doctor ordered.

“Little Shop” tells a delightfully strange story about Seymour, a nebbish botanist who works in a failing Skid Row flower shop. A flytrap type plant from outer space takes up residence in the shop. It soon turns Seymour’s life into a confusing, uproarious mess as it develops a taste for human flesh.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT “LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS”

Howard Ashman, (book and lyrics) and Alan Menken, (music) took Roger Corman’s 1960 cult B-horror movie and created the musical that successfully played off-Broadway. The story takes the audience on a crazy ride into an unsettling story that is as campy as it can get. Songs like “Suddenly Seymour,” “Somewhere It’s Green,” and “Ya Never Know” creates the moods of the moment. (Ashman and Menken went on to win Academy Awards for their work on “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.”)

The Pintello production is well cast. The bright light here is Chloe Angst as Audrey, the innocently dumb blonde with a big heart. She plays the part flawlessly with an east-side New York City accent. She delivers her lines and songs with so much believability that the audience feels for this ditsy babe and rolls with her character. Dave Leon intimates and melodically bellows with his rich bass as the voice of Audrey II (the man-eating plant). The audience finds they are really listening to this grotesque demanding potted plant demanding to be feed.

As the show’s director, Whitney Pintello moves the story along with the timing of a ringmaster in a three-ring circus. She transitions all the scenes smoothly without surges and keeps her actors tight and moving.  Adrianne Wilkinson’s costumes are glitzy and are classy/trashy and fill the mood. Jennifer Young Peterson’s choreography is kept simple and organized.

DETAILS

“Little Shop Of Horrors”

Where: 8191 Swanston Lane, Gilroy

Running Time 2 hours with one intermission        

Through Feb 8

Tickets: $25

For reservations and information call (408) 337-1599 or visit PintelloComedy.com