The Orlando Shakes is presenting Little Shop of Horrors at the Lake Eola Band Shell through May 23, 2021. The Shakes is doing a good job at making these outdoor performances as safe as possible during this pandemic. Since the last time I was at the bandshell, the CDC had updated it’ policy on the use of masks saying it is fine to not wear a mask when outside. Last time I was at a performance here everyone in the audience had to wear a mask. This time they were told they could remove the masks once seated but put it on again when they got up. Pam and I kept out masks on though more than half the audience removed their masks during the show.
I got to study the set for some time before the show started. I loved posters that were added to the skid row walls that announced Spores! The spores pictured vastly resembled the COVID virus. The opening number had a full line of people in hazmat suits singing about a threat to our very existence. That was an added layer of pure genius to make the show particularly timely.
I am very familiar with the show and loved the casting choices made. This cast really could belt out the songs as well. The true star was Audrey 2 who was performed in glorious flamboyant drag with a pink gig, metallic green dress and plenty of bling. The plant itself was circular and opened slit-wise up and down like a vagina rather than a jaw.
When Mushnick mentioned red spatter on the flower shop floor, I flung some red spatters of paint at the sketch. For this show the loud automotive noises from downtown seemed to blend nicely with the skid row squalor of the show. The music of Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman are memorable.