"German Theater hosts petrifying store"
In the heart of New York City in 1982, the unique musical "Little Shop of Horrors" premiered, blending genres such as barbershop, pop ballads, and dentist rock to create an unforgettable theatrical experience. Since then, the musical has been adapted into a film and has become one of Germany's most popular musicals, drawing audiences with its captivating storyline and catchy tunes.
The central character, Audrey Two, is a puppet masterpiece, brilliantly designed and puppeteered, with Chris Murray providing its resounding voice. The set design of the production features sideways protruding house facades, creating a backyard atmosphere on stage.
The characters Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon exude glamour in their first song, "Downtown (Skid Row)". Michael Konicek as Seymour delivers a touching image of a man between shyness and heroic will to self-determination.
Musicals with themes similar to "Little Shop of Horrors" generally blend horror, dark comedy, and camp, often featuring supernatural or macabre elements mixed with humor and catchy music. Notable related musicals include "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", both of which mix horror motifs with musical theater in a darkly comedic style.
"Sweeney Todd" involves murder and revenge in a gothic setting, much like "Little Shop" combines horror with comedic tones and absurd situations. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" shares a campy, horror-musical hybrid vibe with "Little Shop", playing on cult and camp aesthetics.
Another musical, "Heathers The Musical", shares a dark comedic treatment of teen violence and murder, though it is more of a high school dark comedy rather than supernatural horror.
In "Little Shop of Horrors", the musical is set in the 1960s in the seedy L.A. neighborhood of Skid Row, and the main character's plant, Audrey II, resembles a vampire due to its blood cravings. Seymour becomes the partner of Mr. Mushnik and is adopted as his son, as a result of the success brought by Audrey II.
The show's costumes, set, live music, and ensemble are all praised as splendid. Franziska Wuest and Svea Knudsen are the costume designers for the production. The German translation of the musical's libretto is noted to rarely match the smooth original libretto by Howard Ashman, but it makes the show easier for many in the audience to understand.
The musical production of "Little Shop of Horrors" features lowerable sets and a backdrop video screen to create various spaces, including Mr. Mushnik's flower shop. Audrey and Seymour, portrayed as a nerdy, relatable couple, are employees of Mr. Mushnik and aren't exactly customer magnets.
The ensemble includes six dancers, with choreography by Stefanie Groening, one of the Audrey actresses. Christian Auer's band provides the live music for the production. The trio of Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon, who appear throughout the story, support the soloists and narrate the tale.
A recent production of "Little Shop of Horrors" was temporarily transplanted from Neuschwanstein Festival Hall to Munich. Lutz Thase portrays Mr. Mushnik with an irritable temperament, and his business is initially struggling.
In summary, "Little Shop of Horrors" is a musical that combines horror, dark comedy, and camp, creating a unique and entertaining theatrical experience. Its thematic proximity to other musicals such as "Sweeney Todd", "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", and "Heathers" can be seen in their shared blend of dark, often macabre themes with humor and musical storytelling.
The production design of "Little Shop of Horrors" includes a backyard atmosphere on stage, with sideways protruding house facades, and features a captivating musical score, akin to the catchy tunes found in shows like "Sweeney Todd" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
The ensemble in "Little Shop of Horrors" includes a trio of characters who narrate the tale, much like the roles of Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
