CMTS brings its Shop of Horrors to Lerner

Though tales of a blood-guzzling plant may sound disturbing, the combination of music, dance, and Columbia talent makes the story more comic than creepy.

This weekend will see the Columbia Musical Theatre Society’s version of the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors in Lerner’s Black Box Theater. Any lover of musicals is probably no stranger to the Alan Menken and Howard Ashman award-winning show, but the CMTS performance is sure to offer something new to Little Shop connoisseurs, as well as an introduction for the uninitiated.
It was mutual love for the musical that originally brought together producer Erin Byrne, BC ’09, and director Emily Kaplan, BC ’11, last fall. “We were total strangers,” Byrne admitted, “but we both had a desire to see Little Shop of Horrors at Columbia and from there the production just fell into place.”

It is easy to see how much enthusiasm the cast and crew have for the show, especially from the many hurdles they have overcome during the creative process. CMTS’ minimal budget for the show is seen as a blessing in disguise by everyone involved.

For starters, the use of Lerner Black Box instead of the usual Roone Arledge Auditorium offered a complicated challenge. Because of fireproofing issues, the design team had to create its own puppet for the finale’s larger-than-life plant.

But instead of complaining about the obstacle, the production team fondly reminisced over what they saw as a bonding opportunity: “I remember sitting in a meeting talking about how the plant should look—we were all so supportive of each other. We had complete faith it would come together,” Kaplan said. “It was never ‘we can’t do this,’ but rather ‘how are we going to do this?’” Byrne added.

Little Shop of Horrors is truly a group effort, showcasing various talents in everything from choreography to musical execution to puppetry and lighting. Co-choreographer Alex Shaw, CC ’11, described the collaboration: “It’s about presenting a real world versus a surrealist world. The dancing, the lights, the acting, everything works towards that end.”

“This is an all-star team,” exclaimed Justin Grace, CC ’09, in costume as Mr. Mushnik, with a smile on his face. Co-musical director Melanie Michel, BC ’09, emphasized the unity of the ensemble. “It’s fun music that will get stuck in your head, mixed with talented individual voices and great musicians that carry the show,” she said.

The excitement of the cast of Little Shop of Horrors reverberates throughout the small space of the Black Box. Their punch and vitality is refreshing amidst Columbia University productions which sometimes seem to take themselves a little too seriously. One can’t help but notice that this group is more of a family than anything else, full of appreciation for every member’s contribution.

“The real star is Michael the puppeteer—he’s got such a sucky job but he somehow manages to bring himself to the plant in an incredible way,” joked Benjamin Velez, CC ’10, who plays the role of Seymour. Everyone nodded in agreement as actors, puppeteer and crew ran off to the middle of the room to practice some dance moves.

Although the Black Box, with only 100 seats, is much smaller than Roone Arledge, the cast expressed characteristic unflappability in light of the modest venue. “We’re so close to the audience that we’re going to be singing directly in their faces,” laughed Tobin Mitnick, CC ’10, who plays Orin. Indeed, the CMTS production of Little Shop of Horrors will offer the unique opportunity to see what is normally a huge show up close and personal.