'Shop of Horrors' masterfully done

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Rodgers Memorial Theatre, Centerville, through Nov. 10 (298-1302), running time: 110 minutes (one intermission)

CENTERVILLE — Two performers with sound-alike first names — Aaron Ford and Erin Royall Carlson — turn this campy dark comedy into a thoroughly entertaining Halloween delight.

Carlson, who plays ditsy blonde Audrey, has been seen in a number of high-profile roles around the area, including Muzzy in Hale Centre Theatre's recent "Thoroughly Modern Millie." She completely captures Audrey's low self-esteem and her dreams for a perfect Donna Reed homelife.

Ford, however, is tackling his first major role as nebbish Seymour, a bumbling flower-shop employee who stumbles across an exotic life-changing (and life-threatening) plant — a blood-thirsty Venus Fly Trap on steroids. Ford's performance is a sight to behold. He's like a very young Jerry Lewis, masterfully handling the pratfalls and comedy, with a strong, powerful voice in the bargain.

Another big plus in this talent-packed cast is Josh Richardson as semi-sadistic dentist Orin Scorvillo, who gets high on inflicting pain. Richardson also plays, in rapid succession, several media leaders bent on helping Seymour cash in on his strange botanical discovery.

Directed with comedic flair by Leslie Warwood and high-energy choreography by Susan Holland, the recent Friday night cast also included Lloyd Parry as flower-shop owner Mushnik, and Brooke Elyse Wilson, Sunny Simkins and Taryn Russell Tolman as Chiffon, Crystal and Ronette, a Skid Row version of a Greek Chorus.

Behind the scenes, but definitely critical to the success of the show, are puppeteer Patrick States and actor Christopher Carlton, who manipulate and give voice to Audrey II, an exotic (and very hungry) mysterious plant with an attitude.

With hilarious and savvy lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, "Little Shop of Horrors" does have an ominously dark side, but it also takes an entertaining approach to the good-versus-evil battle.

Sensitivity rating: Despite the somewhat gruesome premise, it's packed with family-friendly silliness and wit.

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