The Dentist, Jason Kenser, lays dying in the arms of Seymour, played by Robert Rostad, during a crucial scene in "Little Shop of Horrors," the tale of a bloodthirsty plant looking for world domination.
The mean Dentist, Jason Kenser, sings about his profession to his patient, Alex Johnson, in a scene that shows his cruelty.
The Dentist, portrayed by Jason Kenser, sings with the backing of the Greek Chorus in "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Evergreen Playhouse.
The Dentist, played by Jason Kenser, examines his patient, Alex Johnson, 27, Tumwater, during a scene in "Little Shop of Horrors."
Jason Kenser, right, forcefully requests his patient, Seymour, played by Robert Rostad, 32, Centralia, to say "Ahh" during a rehearsal for the Evergreen Playhouse production of "Little Shop of Horrors."
Jason Kenser, right, plays the mean dentist in "Little Shop of Horrors." Here, he explains through song to Alex Johnson, left, the wonders of dentistry.
Jason Kenser, 39, Centralia, plays the brash, ill-fated dentist in "Little Shop of Horrors," which opens Friday at the Evergreen Playhouse in Centralia.
Ronette, played by Fallon Becerra, 22, Rochester, leads the Greek Chorus girls Ñ Chiffon (Nicole Galyean, 28, Olympia, right) and Crystal (Michaela Hickey, 27, Olympia, left), as they help narrate the tale of Seymour and his evil plant.
In presenting the well-known story of “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Evergreen Playhouse, director Erin Baker said she wanted to present something that would please regulars and draw new faces.
And with a revolving set, top-notch singing talent and a larger-than-life carnivorous plant, Baker said she feels the cast will achieve this goal.
“This is going to be one of the most amazing shows I've seen at Evergreen,” Baker said.
“Little Shop of Horrors” opens Friday at the downtown Centralia theater.
The Broadway precursor to the 1986 cult classic movie starring Rick Moranis, “Little Shop of Horrors” tells the story of nerdy floral assistant Seymour Krelborn, played by Robert Rostad, and his attempt to save the skid row floral shop owned by his penny-pinching employer Mr. Mushnik, played by Sean O'Neil. He finds a rare species of plant he hopes will bring fame to the floral shop that he names Audrey II. When Audrey II starts expressing a taste for blood, it puts Seymour and all of his friends, including love interest Audrey, played by Kristen Blegen Boyer, in jeopardy.
“It’s deliciously wicked,” said Rostad. “It’s a show that’s not afraid to go to dark places in a really funny way. Everyone commits their sins and in the end they all get their just desserts.”
Baker has been involved with the Evergreen Playhouse for about 10 years, having last directed “Papa is All” in 2004. She took a break when her son was born but returned for the last two performances of the “Vagina Monologues.” Eventually, she said, she decided she wanted to come back as a director.
“I met some really good people, some young, fresh blood that was getting involved and I wanted to be a part of that so I actually became a board member,” Baker said.
Baker was a music major and loves musicals so when Evergreen Playhouse board members began suggesting she direct a musical this year she said she was immediately interested. She said she decided she wanted to do a more contemporary, off-beat musical and considered “Mama Mia” but the rights are not yet available for that piece. An actor at Evergreen suggested “Little Shop of Horrors” and she said the music and piece was a perfect fit for what she had wanted to do.
There are many subtle differences between the movie version and the stage version including some different musical numbers and a deeper exploration of the relationship between Seymour and Mr. Mushnik.
The most striking change, however, is the ending, which is nothing like what fans of the movie have seen. Baker said it is these differences, though, that have made preparing for the show much easier since she is not pressured to present a show and characters that are exactly like the film.
“It’s fun to have it as a reference point but if you’re trying to copy the movie you’re setting yourself up for failure,” Baker said.
Jason Kenser, who plays the charming yet sadistic Orion Scrivello, is also lending his back-stage talents to bringing the four incarnations of the Audrey II plant to life.
The crew is building from scratch versions ranging from the tiny new plant, to a hand-puppet sized plant to two larger versions that are run by a puppeteer from the inside. The largest plant must also be built to be able to fulfill Audrey II’s personality as a carnivorous plant.
The Evergreen has a history of ambitious projects but this elaborate task has really tested the talents of the backstage crew. Once the “bones” of the plants are completed, Alia Wulff, a chorus member and costume mistress, will be the one to add the finishing touches to the outside skin of the plant.
“I think she’s going to take this piece and really bring it to life,” Kenser said.
Rostad said “Little Shop of Horrors” is a full circle of sorts for him since he previously played the part of the small plant in a production in 1996-1997, which was the first play in which he acted. He said he has a great deal of experience as a puppeteer but has never acted opposite a puppet before. He said he doesn’t know what it will be like to partner on stage with a puppet but said he likes work being done by Josh Chichester, who lends the voice of Audrey II.
“There definitely will be a lot of energy to work off,” Rostad said. “I think it will be a good collaboration.”
