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Players Put Big Effort Into 'Little Shop'

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By SARAH ROTHWELL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2007

TAMPA - 'Little Shop of Horrors' isn't just a musical about a man-eating, singing plant. It's about a nice guy who always finishes last getting the girl. Of course, they both get eaten alive.

New Tampa Players director Doug Wall said the humor is in the irony.

'It's a comedy,' he said. 'It's such a fun, creative show.'

The New Tampa Players' production of 'Little Shop of Horrors' opens at 8 p.m. Friday at the University Area Community Center.

Matt Bravo will play Seymour, the lovable loser made famous by Rick Moranis in the 1986 film version. Sari Famiglietti will play his love interest, Audrey. Abe Bobo will voice the bloodthirsty plant, named Audrey Two.

Bravo didn't expect to win the role of Seymour, the floral shop worker who feeds humans to an alien plant in exchange for help with his social life.

'The character is usually thought of as a small, skinny guy,' Bravo said. 'I'm 6 feet tall. I didn't expect to get the role, but Doug saw something he liked. It worked out.'

Wall said he chose the musical's lead actors for their phenomenal voices and sincerity. He thought Bravo's personality suited Seymour.

'This is the type of show where you want the characters to be real,' Wall said. 'If the character is quirky, you want a quirky actor. It brings out the character's emotion.'
Famiglietti said her co-lead was well-cast.

'Audrey is very sweet and fragile, so with me being smaller than him, I think it makes that more convincing,' she said.

The actors began rehearsals in August. They studied their lines and practiced basic choreography. They spent countless hours standing at the piano, letting their voices work magic.

In 'Little Shop,' the music tells the story. Famous songs include 'Skid Row,' 'Suddenly Seymour,' 'Somewhere That's Green' and 'Get It.'

'My favorite song is 'Get it' because I sing with the plant,' Bravo said.

Waiting On The Star

For the majority of rehearsals, the actual plant was absent. When a theater troupe signs on to produce 'Little Shop,' it must agree to rent the official plant. It didn't arrive until Oct. 18. So, the actors rehearsed with Bobo, who happily made funny faces and waved his arms around for effect.

'It was challenging having to react to something that wasn't there,' Famiglietti said.

Famiglietti, a big fan of the 'Little Shop' movie, described her character as sympathetic.

'When I auditioned, I fell in love with Audrey,' she said. 'She's with an abusive guy in the beginning but then realizes there are nice guys out there.'

One of Wall's favorite things about the musical is that, if only for a minute, the nerdy guy triumphs. He also likes the production's over-the-top style. He considers Audrey Two a classic musical theater character.

'The plant is the focal point,' Wall said. 'It starts out small and then grows as it feeds on human blood. The plant's whole purpose is to expand and take over the world.'

Experiencing The Imaginary

When searching for the perfect voice for Audrey Two, Wall needed to find someone with an incredible range. The role requires a deep voice. Bobo was that guy.

'Abe is a soulful singer,' Wall said. 'He's able to manipulate his voice and bring out the sound of the character.'

Bobo doesn't mind doing his part from off-stage.

'It's the most fun character I've ever played,' he said. 'I have to pay attention to the fluctuation in my voice. I have to make sure people don't get bored. The voice has got to be fun. Fun is the key word.'

The sets are also fun. Todd Weiner and Peter Mack designed a florist shop reminiscent of the 1960s. The cast and other volunteers pitched in to help paint and set up. Shelly Giles created the costumes.

Though few characters in 'Little Shop' survive the story, the musical is high energy and offers a lot of laughs.

'The musical sucks you into an imaginary world,' Famiglietti said. 'Where else can you see people get eaten by a plant?'

IF YOU GO

WHAT: New Tampa Players' production of 'Little Shop of Horrors'

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Nov. 2, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and 3 p.m. Nov. 4

WHERE: University Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St.

HOW MUCH: $14 (seniors and children $12)

INFORMATION: Call (813) 386-6687

Reporter Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell@tampatrib.com.

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