Cover ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ stuns audiences, thanks in no small part to an impressive cast (Photo: The Sandbox Collective)
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ stuns audiences, thanks in no small part to an impressive cast (Photo: The Sandbox Collective)
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The people behind the Sandbox Collective’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ stun and electrify with a jaw-dropping production
Mounting the production of a cult-famous musical is quite the feat. Luckily, the Sandbox Collective seemed to take everything in stride. And their lovingly assembled version of Little Shop of Horrors is nothing short of electrifying. Helmed under the direction of Toff de Venecia, the high-intensity showcase comes to life thanks in no small part to its performers.
The story takes place in the slums of Skid Row, where a dilapidated plant shop becomes the unlikely sight of a sinister discovery. Reb Atadero plays the bumbling yet endearing Seymour, a florist who has his sights set on wooing his charmingly ditzy co-worker Audrey, played by television and film actress Sue Ramirez in her first theatrical role (Nyoy Volante and Karylle Tatlonghari also star as the leads, taking over the roles in alternate performances). David Ezra and Audie Gemora co-starred as the hilarious and trigger-happy dentist Orin Scrivello, and scheming shop owner Mr. Mushnik, respectively.
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Ramirez had the crowd wrapped around her finger while they keeled over at her on-stage antics. Her magnetic performance as a love interest to our leading man Seymour, oozed chemistry, while her banter with both Ezra and Gemora, ebbed and flowed naturally. The doe-eyed actress has another noteworthy addition to her already impressive resume. With her hair sprayed and teased to sky-high curls and a nasally quasi-New Yorker accent nailed down to a T, Ramirez captures Audrey’s wide-eyed girlishness and hilarity with the finesse of a veteran stage maven.
Julia Serad asserted herself with a domineering stage presence, playing the part of the villainous sentient Venus flytrap Audrey II. Her performance enticed, intimidated and commanded, exuding an almost alluring undertone as she convinced Seymour to carry out unspeakable acts to sate her hunger. It should also be noted that Serad’s counterpart is played by a male actor, OJ Mariano. Though the two actors were both menacing and magnetic while playing out their larger-than-life shared role, Mariano’s male stage presence was imposing and autocratic compared to Serad’s more seductive interpretation.
The role of Audrey II, the nasty foil at the heart of Little Shop of Horrors, was also brought to life with the help of puppeteer Kayla Teodoro, and “petals,” played by an ensemble cast and dance interns. Rather than animatronics, the dancers embodied the menacing villain in a way that both scared and captivated the audience with eerie snake-like choreography precise in its movements. The plant’s gradual growth and transformation from a small, unmoving shrub to a demonic behemoth seemed like it took a village to execute.
The Sandbox Collective’s track record of keeping the audience on their toes continues without a hitch. Little Shop of Horrors is no exception. Ejay Yatco executed his musical leadership flawlessly through the cast, with intense power ballads and playful doo-wops underscoring the story’s depth. This was accomplished in no small part by the trio of street urchins, Crystal, Chiffon and Ronette, played by Abi Sulit, Paula Paguio and Mikee Baskiñas, respectively (Serad also plays Ronette in an alternate cast). This Greek chorus adds an additional thematic layer of richness and humorous commentary to the plot while providing audiences with jaw-dropping vocal gymnastics.
De Venecia’s stage direction managed to deliver epic proportions despite the use of minimal props and set design. The standalone storefront, as well as the predominantly grey landscape of Skid Row, seemed to engulf the stage in a nondescript sea of concrete. Audiences were transported to the grittiness of a dilapidated urban setting without too much to distract them, with other elements overwhelming the stage. This allowed the narrative to take centre stage, highlighting the character-driven aspects of the production.
Ultimately, the people at the centre of Little Shop of Horrors make it so compelling. Whether it’s Atadero’s charming portrayal of Seymour, the detail behind Teodoro’s puppetry, or De Venecia’s deft direction, a bonafide theatrical experience awaits with a production that can only be described as electric.
Little Shop of Horrors runs until Sunday, July 28, at the Globe Auditorium
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
