BWW INTERVIEWS: Mark Willet Talks LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS at the LOT and Working With Friends

The Lower Ossington Theater is known for its stripped down productions of iconic shows. The LOT's productions include RENT, AVENUE Q, NEXT TO NORMAL, and most recently SHREK THE MUSICAL. Right now, the LOT is gearing up for a production of LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS.

LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS tells the story about a down on his luck shopkeeper and his singing plant. This production of the show reunites NEXT TO NORMAL leads, Mark Willet and Kylie McMahon, who respectively play Seymour and Audrey.

Willet took the time to speak with BroadwayWorld over the phone to talk about the iconic status of LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS, what it's like working at the LOT again, and how it feels to reunite with his close friends.

BWW: What was the rehearsal process like? How did you get into character?

WILLET: It [went] quickly, we have a short rehearsal process for the show so there [wasn't] a lot of time to not try. You just [had] to commit [to] see what works and what doesn't. It [was] great watching everyone find their character and to start working on Seymour as well.

BWW: What makes Seymour different from the other characters you've played in shows at the LOT?

WILLET: Seymour's probably one of the quieter characters I've played, especially. I [recently played] Donkey and Riff Raff, the only [quiet] character I've played before was Dan in NEXT TO NORMAL. Seymour's more battered and down by life, he's this weird mix of Dan and Riff Raff because he's very quiet, then he does some not nice things [but] you still kind of love him. He's a sweetheart and I haven't played many sweethearts.

BWW: You've mentioned playing Dan in NEXT TO NORMAL, and Kylie McMahon who played Diana opposite you is now playing Audrey in LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS. Is it comforting going into a show with someone who've you've already created that relationship and that creative bond with?

WILLET: It was funny, during the auditions we had to sing "Suddenly Seymour" with each other and I looked in her eyes, and I started to think of the moment of "Why Stay/A Promise." All I could think was, don't cry, don't cry, this song isn't that sad. I'm so used to looking in Kylie's eyes and being in that state of, I can break at any moment [and] she can break. At first, there was an adjustment [to being] Seymour and Audrey. They are a share happier than Diana and Dan. It is nice knowing there is someone I can go to great distance with and feel comfortable [with]. It's been nice having her around, I love her.

BWW: Is it difficult to make the transtion from one character to the next because you guys do so many shows at the LOT in one year?

WILLET: Sometimes when you're rehearsing multiple [shows, [but] this one hasn't been so bad. I played Riff Raff last year, so doing Riff Raff and Seymour at the same time [this year] hasn't been confusing. When I was in between rehearsals for Dan and Donkey, I didn't know what to do with myself. I got into the physicality of Donkey having hooves and then I'd be walking around [as Dan] and be like, Dan doesn't have hooves. I had these claw hands that were hooves but weren't hooves. It wasn't so much my voice, but my physicality.

BWW: What were your inspirations going into the show?

WILLET: I'm an inch in height difference from Rick Moranis. Every time I see a lead character who's short I get excited because it's not something I get to try often. It's not an experience I've had recently so its been interesting having the stamina on stage. I love Hunter Foster and he played him in the revival. He's someone vocally I look up to.

BWW: Did you watch his performance to see how you you could interpret Seymour in your own way?

WILLET: I've watched it. I've had the poster on my wall since I was in college, so I've been very excited. I've watched the movie, [but] I don't base what I do off of Rick Moranis. I'm not Rick Moranis, I'm not Hunter Foster, but I love their energy's. I look at how they conduct themselves.

BWW: What are the biggest similarities and differences between you and Seymour?

WILLET: I think like Seymour I dream big. Seymour's very loyal to what he's doing so he doesn't step into his dreams until something forces him too. I'm very much the same way, stubborn and loyal. I will avoid other opportunities to be happy with where I am. I'm a little less violent than he is, he as the show goes on takes a turn for the evil side but I'd like to think I'm not the person who would make those choices (laughs).

BWW: If you could play any other character who would you want to play?

WILLET: It's a toss up between voice of Audrey II and one of the urchins. I think they are hilarious parts. When I'm older I can play Mushnik but I think there's a lot of great comedy in the characters.

BWW: Do you have a favourite song to perform?

WILLET: "Feed Me (Get It)" is my favourite song, I love singing it with Jackie Martin because she's a crazy powerful belter. Then the urchins get in, and I'm singing with four incredible strong female vocalists and I get really happy.

BWW: You've done so many shows at the lot, what is it about the LOT makes you keep coming back?

WILLET: I've been working there for two years; I started with ROCKY HORROR [playing a] Phantom. I've grown so much as a performer, I've done 400 performances since the last two years which most people don't get a chance to do. The learning process of meeting all these performers that are now my close friends is not something I'd exchange. I've learned so much.

BWW: In terms of all the shows you've done, which one was the biggest learning process?

WILLET: That would have to be NEXT TO NORMAL. It was approached in such a different manner, very much at the point of, it's not a musical - the music just happens. [It was] a deep intense rehearsal process [that] the show need[ed] because it's such a heavy show. It was very different from any show I've worked on at the LOT.

BWW: LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS has been around forever. What do you think makes it so timeless?

WILLET: I think it's like ROCKY HORROR, it's one of the hit movie classics. I think people jut fall in love with Seymour and Audrey and this ridiculous idea of this talking plant. If you take the humour out of the show it's ridiculously dark, but with the humour people laugh at these horribly absurd things that happen.

BWW: If you could perform any other song in the show that you don't get to sing what would it be?

WILLET: "Little Shops of Horrors," the title song, has always been a song I've put on and danced around to, I think the harmonies in that one are pretty awesome.

BWW: You've gone on to play such incredible roles like Benny in RENT and Dan in NEXT TO NORMAL, do you still have dream roles you'd love to play haven't?

WILLET: There's still a few out there. Boq in WICKED [and] Elder Cunningham in BOOK AND MORMON are two roles I'd love to play.

BWW: Why should people come see LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS? Reel them in.

WILLET: I think [with] any show at the LOT, especially this one, you can come and be blown away. LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS will be a night of fun. If you know this movie this musical you will enjoy yourself and hopefully have the songs stuck in your head like I do.

LITTLE SHOPS OF HORRORS is currntly playing at the LOT from December 12 - January 12. Tickets are currently available online here.

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