Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at West Fargo Summer Arts Intensive

The story of Seymour and his "Strange and unusual plant" is brought to life at West Fargo Sheyenne for the West Fargo Summer Arts Intensive.

Director Bryce Henrickson has the perfect backdrop of an old abandoned drive-in theater that gives us that great nostalgic feel. Many fondly remember the classic 1986 movie directed by Frank Oz and starring Rick Moranis, Steve Martin and Ellen Greene with the voice of Levi Stubbs as Audrey II.

I love the music from this show and was dancing and singing along in my seat the whole show. Music for this show was provided a very talented pit orchestra of only four members. It featured Jacob Kalvoda on Bass, Cayden Ganser on Guitar, Tristan Byer on Percussion and Eric Saari on Keyboard.

This was a great cast from the ensemble up to the leads. Right from the opening Prologue to the Finale Ultimo it was a nonstop show that is fun for the whole family.

Coleman Klimek as Seymour was wonderful. He is an amazing singer and actor and had the quirky mannerisms of Seymour down. He did a stellar job on his first solo Grow for Me and has some wonderful duets on Mushnik and Son and Suddenly Seymour.

Josie Gompf as Audrey was another great casting choice. I recently wrote about her in my review of the Fargo Davies production of Mamma Mia! She has a wonderful voice and had great on stage chemistry with Seymour. Her best solo was on Somewhere That's Green, and she did a great job on Suddenly Seymour.

Wyatt Amundson as Mr. Mushnik was one of my favorite characters. He was perfectly cast and has a great voice and well as comedic timing. His duet on Mushnik and Son was my favorite song in Act I. I recently reviewed him in the Davies production of Mamma Mia! And in The Three Musketeers last year.

Eric Tyulyandin as Orin Scrivello D.D.S. was hilarious. He played the sadistic boyfriend perfectly. His performance on Now (It's Just The Gas) was great.

Anthony Peralta as Audrey II was another great casting choice. Although numerous characters played the plant, Anthony provided the main voice and unlike other versions, we actually get to see him on stage singing and dancing. His performance on Feed me (Git It) was another favorite and Suppertime was my favorite of Act II.

Overall the whole cast did a great job and put on a very fun show. Everyone should be very proud. Congrats to Bryce and his team.

**Photos courtesy of Renegade

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