Little Shop of Horrors (Westside Theatre)

See it if u want to see a jaunty, sentimental, nostalgic, expertly staged, faithful revival of the feel-good horror cult classic (now a pop staple).

Don't see it if you expect a reimagining, updating or contemporizing of the material [This is strictly a by-the-numbers homage, albeit a skillful one.]

Also This production is proof-positive that some shows belong in an intimate setting and are not all bound for Broadway or cavernous performing arts centers. Sometimes, things are better enjoyed on a "big, enormous twelve-inch screen", rather than in IMAX at the multiplex.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a well-done if not creative or innovative production of a great show

Don't see it if you don't want to pay Broadway premium prices for off-Broadway

See it if you want a fun musical that is well done on all fronts.

Don't see it if you didn't like the movie or you don't like musicals or dark comedies. This show doesn't have a deep meaning or message.

Also It's a quirky musical, for sure, but this production is really worth seeing. Strong acting, singing and sets (including the "plant"). Having it off-B'way means that every seat is very close to the action.... Read more Read less

See it if Fabulous production of an iconic show. Groff and Borle are just wonderful, staging is great and it's just so much fun.

Don't see it if This is not a reason not to see it, but Tammy Blanchard's singing, especially in "Somewhere That's Green" is not strong & had pitch issues.

See it if you want to see brilliant casting in a cult classic.

Don't see it if You don’t like humorous murder, the inability to understand all of the words, or complicated endings.

See it if You love a Christian Borle. Every time he is on stage, he lights up the show.

Don't see it if You’ve seen the show and movie many times before. Although it was entertaining enough, there were few surprises to justify seeing it again.

See it if you want to see LSOH as it was meant to be seen; in a small venue.

Don't see it if you expect a large-scale, flashy show. This is a no frills show.

Also It was fantastic seeing this show as it was meant to be seen, raw and in a small off-broadway venue. It felt like I was seeing community theatre. Very relaxed atmosphere, no checking the bags for stuff, no fancy effects or theatre magic, stage crew got a curtain call, you can hear the backstage noises. 270 seats, not a bad one in the house. Beautiful costumes and sets. The urchins were fantastic! Christian Borle was worth the price of admission. Jonathan Groff is adorable. Tammy Blanchard...well. I felt she was too old for Jonathan Groff’s Seymour. I felt there was no chemistry between them. She played her with an edge. There was none of the innocence we expect from Audrey. Her singing was subpar. I felt like Audrey was drunk, or the dentist beat her one too many times, and she had brain damage. It may well have been a conscious acting choice, but it didn’t work for me. Ellen Greene sets the bar high, and no one can compare. You can’t expect anyone, or would want anyone, to copy her.... Read more Read less

See it if Jonathan Groff and Tammy Blachard just kill it in this fun and hilarious revival. I was laughing the entire time and even geared up a bit.

Don't see it if They don’t like revivals.

See it if You want a to see a fun, well directed, acted and staged show. Great talent in an intimate space makes it a night you won’t soon forget.

Don't see it if You’ve got a cold jaded heart. Seriously... this is just FUN!!!

Also I haven’t had such a pleasant night at the theatre in a long time. Jonathan Groff spit on me...I may never wash again. LOL... Read more Read less

See it if If you want a fun musical. As good as when I saw it at Orpheum in the 80s. Great singing, staging in a great theater for this kinda show.

Don't see it if If you do not like silly, fun musicals. If you like drama over musicals.

See it if Blooming hemoglobin-lovin' phyto- allows romance toblossom(until).You won't know how much you missed this off-kilter gem until you're seated

Don't see it if Talented cast. Great singing. Great acting. Great directing. Great book. Great score. Great space. Pick your DDT poison.

Also This belongs where it lies:Off-Broadway is its perfect home.

See it if What more could you ask? Jonathan Groff, Tammy Blanchard and Christian Borle dazzle the audience in this small house. Sat in the front row!

Don't see it if The show itself is an exuberant parody of 50s sci-fi schlock. The score is quite tuneful. Michael Mayer's use of the small stage is skillful

Also Beats the prior Little Shops I have seen -- 2004 with Hunter Foster, Kerry Butler, and Douglas Sills, 2015 with Jake Gyllenhaal and Ellen Greene.... Read more Read less

See it if you love Little Shop, Jonathan Groff, Head Over Heels (cast members Ari Groover & Tom Alan Robbins appear), & especially Christian Borle.

Don't see it if you hate quirky/subversive theater. I did notice Audrey was shouting as opposed to singing at times.

Also Prediction: Christian Borle will be nominated for all of the things, and will probably win many of the things.

The supporting singers were terrific. Ari Groover, Salome Smith, and Joy Woods have gorgeous, strong voices that melt together beautifully. I would have liked to move any one of them over to Audrey for Suddenly Seymour, to hear it sung at full strength. (No shade to the excellent actress Tammy Blanchard, who admirably powered through what seemed to be a physical voice issue, as happens to any performer at one point or another).... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see one of the most joyfully-bleak, animated and deathly off-Broadway musical revivals this season; a fan of the actors.

Don't see it if you aren’t invested in sci-fi/fantasy-horror-genre musicals; prefer seeing a brand new work; and/or upset by domestic abuse and violence.

Also Little Shop of Horrors delights from its eponymous perky bop, a darkly-humorous easing into the weirdness luring behind the seemingly benign flower shop on Skid Row. Comparisons among LSoH, Sweeney Todd, and American Psycho are a guarantee: all make light of murder, violence, blood-letting, and cruelty. But this is what theatre does: it makes it okay for us to laugh together about a story that would horrify and destroy us in real life. Alan Menken’s music, design, acting, and Audrey Two’s multi-range design is exceptional. The Broadway-ready show is helmed by Jonathan Groff as Seymour, Tammy Blanchard as Audrey, Christian Borle in multiple roles (including Orin), Tom Alan Robbins as Mushnik, and other talented performers. Weird without being offputting; dark without being uncomfortable; quirky without making you lose your sense of wonder: I’d see it again in a heartbeat, especially to see Gideon Glick’s Seymour. Run, don’t walk, to Mushnik’s, but don’t get too close to the giant plant!... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of any part of the production! Excellent cast and the set works perfectly for the space. Audrey II is "killer". LOL

Don't see it if you don't like the music itself. Otherwise, don't miss a great cast. The small theatre adds to the excitement and energy.

Also What a fun night of theatre!
UPDATE: Caught a second viewing Saturday night (after seeing 2nd preview).
The show is even better. The first number has been updated and Tammy sounds so much better.... Read more Read less

See it if Very good production of Little Shop of Horrors which seemed true to the original play. Puppetry was excellent!

Don't see it if You don’t like light entertainment. However this was fun and engrossing.

Also The Urchins stole the show!

See it if Holds pretty tightly to original musical. Stellar cast with amazing singing. Exuberant, cheering audience in small theater makes it more fun

Don't see it if Unchanged musical from 80s with stereotyped, mostly flat characters (nerd, greedy Jew, abused weak woman, sassy Black women, etc.) annoy you

Also Diversity: no change from original. Main characters are all white, 3 neighborhood girls are Black.
Disclaimer: I've never watched a previous production, only the 80s film.
Ticket from in-person lottery for $29. Front row and center seat, in Jonathan Groff's spit zone.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see the show in a new way. I loved that Tammy Blanchard didn’t mimic Ellen Greene, but sought to make Audrey her own. Wonderful.

Don't see it if You’re just looking for the show you’ve seen before. They make different choices, and it’s only in previews. There was HUGE audience love.

See it if you want to see three leads handle a classic while at the top of their games and supported by an excellent ensemble.

Don't see it if the show is not your favorite or you dislike any of the actors because they are there the whole time.

See it if you are a fan of the show you will LOVE this production. Cast and staging are fantastic! Great to see it in a small space

Don't see it if you know the show and don't like it. Maybe even then you should give this production a try. IF you can get a seat

See it if you love Borle and/or Groff and are fine with paying exorbitant fare for the most ordinary of stagings.

Don't see it if you feel that the problematic racial dynamics of this material has to be addressed.

Also I realized mid-way through that I'd rather see a production that takes more risks with less-skilled performers than this all-star cast in the safest possible staging. Still a lovely night out though.... Read more Read less

See it if You like silly quirky musicals; Intimate and fun with winning performances and hummable tunes.

Don't see it if You like shows with big sets, big bands, big casts, big themes.

Also A fun evening slightly off-Broadway (actually on Skid Row) with a man-eating plant and a talented cast including Christian Borle playing at least five characters. Thoroughly enjoyable revival of beloved classic.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to see a well-loved muscial performed flawlessly, yet without any real innovation. Lots of fun and laughs. Great plant!!!

Don't see it if you dislike musicals, or are too jaded to appreciate a dark comedy with murder, domestic violence and alien invasion.

Also The crowds outside the Westside Theatre before show time tell it all. Starring beloved Broadway performers, Jonathan Groff, Christian Borle and Tammy Blanchard, the demand for tickets are high. Sight unseen, there is so much love for Little Shop. Luckily, it delivers. Groff's Seymour is perfection. The ultra-nerdy botanist (with a helluva voice) is brought to vivid life and untimely end? Borle's Orin (DDS) is a study in how to absolutely let go and embrace the madness. Blanchard's Audrey is a wonderful foil for the boys to play off on. And then there's the plant...Audry 2, deeply voiced by Kingsley Leggs and hilariously realized. I was told by a cast member that there was no chance of Little Shop taking to a Broadway stage. That's a shame, as ticket demand is insane, AND the show is worthy of more than one viewing. The intimate theatre may be undersized for the production, but for those of us who scored tickets, there is the feeling that we are part of something special.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a classic musical presented in an outstanding and fun manner, with great actors, clever staging, and creative props.

Don't see it if You don’t like small theaters, don’t like Little Shop, or don’t like stories with gore and killings.

See it if You love the show. This is a solid production with Groff doing particularly great work in the lead.

Don't see it if You’re expecting a new take. This is classic Little Shop performed with love.