![]() She delivers a character-based ballad that furthers the story’s action, not unlike the emotional “On My Own” from Les Misérables. ![]() When Audrey waxes nostalgic for a fantasy that might not come true in “Somewhere That’s Green,” she doesn’t just sing a pretty tune. Seymour (Nick Cearley) and Audrey II (voice by Chaz Rose, manipulation by Stephen Kriz Gardner) in Little Shop of Horrors. The provocative nature of Audrey II’s lyrics also echoes the sultry and rebellious tones of the early days of R&B. In “Feed Me (Git It)” and “Suppertime,” Audrey II entices Seymour to keep feeding him in order to get him more of what he wants, all while using a steady drum beat, bluesy piano and soulful vocals to create a big band effect. The villainous Audrey II takes on its own musical voice with the catchy and devilishly entertaining sounds of early rhythm and blues heard in the 1950s and ‘60s. Ronnette (Ebony Blake), Chiffon (Johari Nandi) and Crystal (Alexis Tidwell) in Little Shop of Horrors. They even reference The Ronettes (of a different spelling) whose biggest hits include “Be My Baby” and “Walkin’ in the Rain.” They take after the popular girl groups of the 1960s, reflecting the soulful yet upbeat tunes popularized by The Supremes, The Shirelles and The Crystals. They serve as the story’s Greek Chorus, informing us of the characters’ backstories and providing access to the story’s themes. Girl Groups of the 1960s Little Shop of Horrors wouldn’t be the musical that we know today without the consistent direction of the Ronnettes. Seymour (Nick Cearley), Ronnette (Ebony Blake), Chiffon (Johari Nandi) and Crystal (Alexis Tidwell) in Little Shop of Horrors. In a twist on the genre, Seymour sings “Da-Doo” with doo-wop flair as The Ronnettes keep background harmony. “Doo-Wop” refers to the nonverbal background vocals provided by group members to create the rhythm. Think “In the Still of the Night” by Fred Parris and the Satins. In what might be the earliest evidence of boy bands, doo-wop is characterized by a small group of male singers singing a cappella in harmony, usually to the tune of softened up, wholesome lyrics. Here’s a look at the genres Little Shop of Horrors uses to create a satirical, musical treat. The play also includes Broadway show tunes and rhythm and blues to stylize the production in an exciting, updated way. Though the original production of Little Shop of Horrors premiered in 1982, the story vaguely takes place in the 1960s and uses its toe-tapping musical score to invite the audience to examine the pop culture of that era. The world of Skid Row feels like a kitschy throwback to a time when June Cleaver had dinner on the table by six and rebellious teens donned greasy leather jackets.
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