Critical Acclaim for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Our final mainstage show of the 2011 season, Little Shop of Horrors, has received great acclaim in the press - below are some choice quotes. Click on the reviewer names to read the full reviews.  Performances run until August 7th - so get your tickets today!

“With this terrific production, Infinity fulfills its promise to bring New York professionals to the Annapolis theater scene.”

“The opening notes by the five-piece, onstage live rock band signaled the exciting start of this Broadway-caliber show...”

“Every role is perfectly cast from top to bottom, beginning with those sassy Skid Row street urchins, Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon — played by Ariana Scoggins, Ardale Shepherd and Martina Sykes — who serve as a grooving Greek chorus.”

“Each song gets loving treatment, starting with ‘Skid Row’ and ‘Da-Doo’ flawlessly delivered in harmony and break-out solos by the Scoggins, Shepherd and Sykes trio.”

“As florist Mushnik, Ira Denmark delivers a performance worthy of multiple bouquets.  A master of comic timing…”

“Topher Nuccio is brilliant as Seymour, a lovable nebbish… Stacie Bono is Nuccio's perfect match…”

“…A stirring ‘Suddenly Seymour’ that ranks among the best performances I've heard anywhere this season.”

“Eric William Whitehead is hysterically funny…”

“This Little Shop production is so good that it honors the memory of Baltimore native Howard Ashman and the music he created…”

“Everything – from the singing to the set – was magnificent.”

“If enthusiastic clapping after every number and a standing ovation at the end are any sign of success, then the Little Shop of Horrors which opened last weekend, presented by Infinity Theater Company…was beyond successful. It was superb.” 

“For the opening number, Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronnette (played by Martina Sykes, Ariana Scoggins, and Ardale Shepherd, respectively) sing all out with flawless harmony.  Reminiscent of the Doo-Wop era, almost all of the numbers make the audience want to stand up and dance.  With a lively band to top it off, the music could not have been better.”

“The musical incorporates a perfect blend of comedy, drama, and romance.”

“Topher Nuccio’s depiction of naïve, though guilt ridden, Seymour, who only wants a better life for himself and Audrey, is both humorous and tragic – everything necessary for an impeccable performance.  Funny, yet carrying undertones of sadness, Stacie Bono’s portrayal of Audrey’s tragic plight is fantastic.  Bring in Ira Denmark as Mushnik and Eric Whitehead as Orin, and you have an outstanding cast.”

“From its first introduction as a tiny plant to its final state as a humongous monster, Audrey II was realistic enough to be convincing, yet whimsical enough to be fairy-tale-like. Incredible puppeteering by John Ettinger made Audrey II seem as if it was alive and actually growing. And, Lamont Whitaker did a fantastic job as Audrey II’s voice.”

“Those of us who attended the premiere of Infinity Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors this weekend received well over two hours of murder, mayhem, and music that had us rocking in our seats and humming out the door.”

“Infinity Theatre, led by Broadneck alum Anna Roberts-Ostroff and husband Alan, has made good on its promise to once again bring professional, Broadway level talent to the Annapolis area this summer.”

“The show begins with the talented trio of street urchins Ariana Scoggins, Ardale Shepherd, and Martina Sykes, whose enthusiasm and sheer talent make you believe that they will be stealing the entire show. Their harmonies, and every once in a while their break-out solos, remind the audience that this production won’t be your average regional summer theatre experience.”

“…Stacie Bono’s Audrey, another flower shop employee and Seymour’s love interest, is charming and captures the audience’s heart…”

“…Eric William Whitehead steals the show with his multiple roles, changing and entering and exiting the set in an array of costumes, sometimes within seconds.”

“Musical comedy doesn’t get any better than this toothy horror story.”

“…You’ll definitely want to take in this last show of [Infinity’s] season.”

“This is a comical feast for the senses, rich in color and musical variety, with catchy hits like the poignant ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ and ‘Suddenly Seymour,’ the riotous ‘Dentist,’ and the raucous ‘Feed Me’ and ‘Suppertime.’ The dancing swings with spot-on perfection, as does the mood of the operatic storyline.”

“The cast is outstanding in every regard, as their teamwork brings out the best in each performer.”

“Come marvel at the toothy pod and experience a rare treat.”

“…You need to immediately run to the phone to order tickets to this amazing show!”

“With his excellent comedic timing and subtle yet effective facial expressions, Nuccio draws constant laughs from the audience and endears them to the awkward Seymour.”

“Bono’s voice is sweet and squeaky (as every Audrey should be portrayed), but the power of her voice is spectacular.  Bono is especially impressive during ‘Somewhere That’s Green,’ in which she not only shows the strength of her voice but also the strength of her acting…”

“Tina Marie Casamento’s direction is both hilarious and meaningful. She incorporates many sight gags, such as Seymour feeding Orin’s jacket to Audrey II and her spitting it back out.  Casamento directs Audrey II in such a lively way that it seems as though the plant will hop right out of its pot!  At the same time, Casamento makes sure to show the tenderness between Audrey and Seymour, and their interaction during ‘Suddenly, Seymour’ is very intimate and romantic.”

“Erin Denman’s spunky choreography is as alive as the Audrey II itself…”

“…Tub-thumpingly good…”

“Chiffon, Crystal and Ronnette (Martina Sykes, Ariana Scoggins and Ardale Shepherd, respectively) sing in the style of the 60’s girl groups…powerful and beautiful, and their harmonies are so laser-precise that they could be used to do eye surgery.”

“Director Tina Marie Casamento and Choreographer Erin Denman move the cast gracefully, elegantly and with dispatch.”

“Bono nails the essential Betty Boop-ness of Audrey, a prototypical 1950’s movie heroine – delectable, and dumber than a toaster.  Nuccio, who has a great voice, pulls off the difficult task of making Seymour be a wiener, yet strong enough to feed people to the plants, and appealing enough to be the protagonist.”