The Muny’s 2023 production of Little Shop of Horrors is a campy, fun, and energetic show that is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. Check out the details in my parents guide review.
The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors has come to St. Louis, playing at The Muny from July 25 through July 31. This production of Little Shop of Horrors was a truly unforgettable experience, filled with delightful comedy, catchy tunes, and plenty of suspense. Whether you’ve seen the show before or it’s your first time, this production of Little Shop of Horrors will leave you wanting more. Check out all the details in my parents guide review.
If you enjoyed The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors parents guide review, check out these other articles: The Muny’s Rent parents guide musical review, The Muny’s West Side Story parents guide review, Chess musical parents guide review, The Muny’s Beauty and the Beast parents guide review.
The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors Parents Guide
In The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors: A delicious comedy for the heart of summer! Little Shop of Horrors is a campy thriller that follows meek floral assistant Seymour on his quest to win over the love of his life, Audrey. A total eclipse of the sun and a scheming man-eating plant threatens his dream and takes over Seymour’s life. Expect the unexpected and get ready to feed your inner quirkiness with this hangry tale. Whatever you do, do not feed the plant!
The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors Age Rating Parents Guide
Let’s take a look at what parents need to know in this parent’s guide and the age rating of the musical before letting their younger children watch The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors.
Language: The Muny’s West Side Story contains some strong language, with some profanity used. Lookout words include sh*t, a**, sl*t, g-d d*mn, crap, t*tty, hell, stupid, and phrases such as “Lord have mercy” and “Jesus Christ.”
Mature Content: The musical contains violent scenes surrounding the blood-eating plant, including eating characters whole and feeding bloody body parts to the plant. There is also a violent slap to a female’s cheek by another abusive character. There is a drug overdose and the death of a character, which is caused by asphyxiation using a mask to get high off of Nitrous oxide, and discussions about 86ing a character because he “deserves” to die. There is also abuse by a boyfriend toward his girlfriend, resulting in her having a black eye and her arm in a sling. She must refer to him as the doctor,” and she discusses being handcuffed by him often.
Age Rating of The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors: The musical Little Shop of Horrors is suggested to have a PG-13 rating by MTI (Musical Theatre International) for language, violence, and adult situations. It is appropriate material for ages 13 and older. The suggestion of parental guidance or an adult guardian is highly recommended for kids under 13 years old. This rating is based on the opinion of the author.
Overall Thoughts
One of the things that makes Little Shop of Horrors so much fun is its over-the-top campiness. The show is full of ridiculous characters, over-the-top plot twists, and catchy tunes. The Muny’s production embraces this campiness and runs with it, resulting in a show that is both funny and entertaining.
The cast of The Muny’s production of Little Shop of Horrors was nothing short of amazing. Directed by Maggie Burrows, each member of the cast brought their own unique style and personality to the show. Robin De Jesus gave an unforgettable performance as the downtrodden and love-struck Seymour. His portrayal of the character was endearing and relatable, making the audience feel invested in Seymour’s journey. His chemistry with Patti Murin, who plays Audrey, was endearing and felt natural and sincere. Kennedy Holmes, who gained national recognition from her stint on The Voice, played the role of Crystal (an Urchin), and her performance was nothing short of stellar. Her powerful vocals and effortless stage presence were a highlight of the production. Accompanied by the two other street Urchins, Stephanie Gomerez and Taylor Marie Daniel, the trio each delivered impeccable performances.
The set and design of The Muny’s production of Little Shop of Horrors were visually stunning and added a layer of depth to the overall experience. Kristen Robinson’s set design transported the audience to Skid Row, with its dilapidated buildings and grimy streets. The attention to detail in recreating this iconic location was remarkable, immersing the audience in the gritty atmosphere of the story.
James Ortiz’s puppet design for Audrey II, the man-eating plant, was nothing short of remarkable. The plant was a larger-than-life presence on stage, with intricate detailing and animatronics that brought it to life. From its menacing appearance to its smooth, fluid movements, Audrey II was a captivating and terrifying focal point of the production.
Alan Menken’s iconic score for Little Shop of Horrors has captivated audiences for decades, and The Muny’s 2023 production did not disappoint. The live orchestra, led by Robert Merkin, flawlessly brought the jazzy and upbeat music to life, immersing the audience in the story’s macabre atmosphere. Additionally, the choreography for the plant puppetry was a standout element. The plant, voiced by Nicholas Ward, was brought to life through the expert puppetry of Travis Patton, making it feel like a living, breathing character on stage. The plant’s movements, whether singing and dancing or devouring its victims, were both mesmerizing and slightly terrifying.
Another thing that makes Little Shop of Horrors so good is the message it sends. The show is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the importance of being careful what you wish for. The Muny’s production does a great job of highlighting these themes, and the show’s ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Overall, The Muny’s Little Shop of Horrors is a great show that is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. If you’re looking for a fun and campy night out, I highly recommend checking it out.
