By Kimberly Rau
Theatre by the Sea kicks off the 2026 summer season with “Little Shop of Horrors,” a campy, satirical comedy that pokes fun at the sci-fi B-movies of the 1950s and ’60s.
Set on Skid Row, the musical follows Seymour, a down-on-his-luck fellow who works for Mr. Mushnik at the worst flower shop in existence. The only bright spot is his coworker Audrey, who is sweet, beautiful, and attached to the most sadistic dentist you can imagine. When a solar eclipse leads to Seymour finding a truly odd plant which he names Audrey II, things begin to look up for everyone, but getting what you want always comes at a price.
When you direct Little Shop, you can take one of two avenues. You can really lean into the metaphor of greed and man destroyed by man’s creation, or you can embrace the full camp value and play it for all its worth. Director Bob Richard chose the latter, and the result is a fun experience for all ages.
The production is full of talent, including a strong trio of ladies who hang around Skid Row instead of going to school and act as the show’s Greek chorus. Myriam Zamy, Adeera Laini Harris and Charity Williams have a nice rapport and sound good both as a group and in solo moments.
Anna Telfer steals the show as the vulnerable, sweet Audrey. She has the look, the acting skills, and enough voice for 10 Audreys. Audrey’s character is over the top, and Telfer clearly knows how to play her lines for a laugh, but she adds plenty of subtlety and nuance to her musical numbers, instead of simply belting her way through them. It’s a pleasant change from interpretations that seem to think “the louder the better” does the trick.
Giving Telfer a run for her money in the vocals department is Jaelle LaGuerre, who voices the carnivorous, bloodthirsty Audrey II. I’m a fan of theaters that give this otherworldly antagonist a female voice, and LaGuerre is perfection. (Audrey II’s puppetry is handled quite well by Dean Hernandez).
But this show hasn’t just gone to the ladies. Deon Releford-Lee is a marvelous Seymour, with all of the meekness and clumsiness you could ask for. Releford-Lee doesn’t overplay the role, has a strong voice and tangible chemistry with Telfer. What more could you want? Fred Sullivan Jr. plays shop owner Mushnik with a realistic weariness that can only come from doing the same unfulfilling job over and over, and that makes the lively “Mushnik and Son” duet even more fun to watch. And Justin Michael Duval is a perfectly awful (in the best possible way) Orin.
When you’re leaning into the silliness of a musical, you don’t need the most top-notch sets, but there were areas I wish the designers had put just a little more attention into. (Clearly, most of the budget went to the impressive array of puppets portraying Audrey II at various stages of development.) I was fine with the flown-in flat for the florist store front, but when the song includes the line “I put a sign out in the front window…stop and see the amazing new plant, Audrey II,” you should probably have a sign in, you know, the front window. And considering a big plot point is how Audrey II allows Mushnik to renovate his drab shop, it’s jarring to see the same threadbare storefront drop down in Act 2, no name change, sign or improvements to be seen.
But that’s a small thing against an otherwise solid production. “Little Shop of Horrors” is an audience favorite for a reason, and this is no exception. See this season opener and be assured you’re in for a good evening. Just don’t bring any plants home.
“Little Shop of Horrors” runs through June 20, 2026, at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield. Tickets may be obtained at the box office, online at theatrebythesea.com or by calling 401.782.8587.
