Currently playing at the Ocala Civic Theatre from Jan. 29-Feb. 15 is the musical classic “Little Shop of Horrors.” As a first-time viewer, I sat down in the front row with no expectations. I anticipated a simple, dark drama based on the title but was wholly unprepared for what unfolded. It was a complete upheaval of what I thought the play would be, leaving me bewildered in the best way possible.
The story follows Seymour, a kind-hearted but poor florist working for Mr. Mushnik on Skid Row. Having untold feelings for his co-worker Audrey, Seymour’s life goes haywire when he discovers an alluring yet bizarre new plant he names “Audrey II.” While Audrey II helps Seymour climb the florist popularity ladder, he soon realizes his charming seedling requires a little more than just sunlight and water to thrive.
The characters possess enchanting depth, with the chemistry between the actors allowing the dark humor to land perfectly. While the plot was predictable at times, it treated the show favorably. Foreseeing the next situation made me eager to see how the cast would execute it. The moment Audrey II was brought into the shop, I began to piece together a story far more astonishing than previously imagined. With a runtime of a little over 2 hours, every beat was performed with care. The choreography and musical numbers grew more expansive as the stakes rose, leaving the audience at the edge of their seat. The ending is bittersweet, with a devastatingly remarkable conclusion that I can only describe as a comedic tragedy.
The set was beautifully crafted, depicting a detailed flower shop atop a revolve in a downtown street. When rotated, the interior was exposed, revealing where the main character would commit his next deed. The streetside featured windows with aesthetic lighting that shifted to fit the mood of each scene.
The costuming completed the production’s thorough details. The suits and dresses grounded the world in the 1960s, reminiscent of the era in which the original film was released. These blended elements help transport the audience into the world of Skid Row as the story unfolded.
The musical elements of the play supported the actors effortlessly. Rather than relying on a pre-recorded soundtrack, a live band performed underneath the stage. This brought life to both the story and the comedic timing.
Despite the strength of the performance, the title of the show does not fully connect with me in terms of the premise of the play. While the setting is a shop, it does not feel full of horrors. While there may be one horrible thing, it feels more like a constant horror rather than a number of them.
According to the production team behind the play, the final scene was supplemented with AI-generated video. By using images from the 1950s and specialized prompts, videos were generated using Adobe programs and then altered to complete the look. In my opinion, this was unnecessary, as scenes from the original 1960 film could have been used. Using AI detracts from the human creativity that one seeks out when watching a play. It is, after all, the performing arts – not the generated arts.
Despite that critique, the play stands as one of the best productions seen in the last year. Experiences of this quality being performed locally in Ocala are worth celebrating. It showcased love, loss and laughter and bringing a smile to my face in the best possible way. “Little Shop of Horrors” earns a 9 out of 10 and comes highly recommended for anyone seeking a night of outstanding theater.