With Music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, this musical is the highest grossing off-Broadway show of all time. Based on the cult classic film, Little Shop of Horrors is set in a skid-row floral shop owned by the forlorn Ms. Mushnik (Becca Pearlstein). Orphan Seymour Krelborne (Teddy Cameron) works for Ms. Mushnik in their rundown shop with the lovable Audrey (Emma Earnest), who has a very unlovable sadistic dentist boyfriend (Soham Banerjee). Everything changes for Seymour when an exotic plant brings him fame and fortune but at what cost?

Cameron was endearing as Seymour. His vocals were spot-on, never once breaking character. Earnest was heartbreakingly adorable as Audrey. Her meek demeanor was priceless and her soprano vocals were chilling. Their chemistry was convincing especially during the show stopping number “Suddenly Seymour.” Mushnik’s Pearlstein brought a proper attitude to her character which made her strictly business character believable. Pearlstein and Cameron were a riot during the song “Mushnik and Son.”

With the most stage time, the street urchins Khanh Hong (Crystal), Mariana Barbosa (Chiffon), and Anne Dutilh (Ronette), were chicks with high attitude and sass and great individual voices. Jon Dehart as the voice of Audrey II provided excellent vocals. The puppet of Audrey II, operated by Jamie Ahlborn and Niusha Nawab, was executed well. The sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello D.D.S. portrayed by Banerjee was wonderfully comedic despite his malicious role especially during his songs “Dentist!” and “Now (It’s Just the Gas).” A notable cameo was that of the drunk Snip portrayed by Spencer Cesar.

Frank Blackmore‘s set was effective although not fully utilized by the actors and sometimes blocking was confusing.

With spring upon us and cherry blossoms blooming in D.C. it won’t be uncommon to see many plants spouting up around us. But as J.E.B Stuart High School’s cast of Little Shop of Horrors warns in their final number, “Don’t Feed the Plants!”

by Steven Einhorn of Robert E. Lee High School

South Pacific, set in the war-torn 1940s, centers around a young nurse stationed in the Pacific Islands, who falls in love with a French expatriate. Their romance is hindered by racism and war, but in the end their love conquers all, and they are able to be together.

In JEB Stuart’s shining production, Rachel Dady portrayed sweet, outgoing Nellie Forbush, whose only apparent fault is a bigoted background that at first obstructs her love. Dady’s lively expressions and remarkable singing voice made her character sparkle. The object of Nellie’s affection is Emile De Becque (Daniel Snyder), a Frenchman with a mysterious past. Snyder’s charming voice and overall charisma created a realistic, likable character.

Adding a second romantic plotline to the story is Lieutenant Joseph Cable, an innocent young man who falls in love with the island and its treasures, particularly one beautiful girl. As Cable, Jonathan DeHart portrayed a gentleness that brought the character’s romantic side to life. Bloody Mary (Caitlin O’Neill), the mother of Lieutenant Cable’s love interest, is a woman who knows little English but whose personality speaks for itself. O’Neill’s performance was dynamic; her deep, bellowing vocals and outstanding stage presence made her stand out in songs like “Bali Ha’i” and “Happy Talk.” Another significant supporting character was Luther Billis, played by Frank Blackmore. Blackmore brought great humor to the show, especially in his shining moment of song and dance, “Honey Bun,” in which he gallivanted about the stage hilariously attired in a grass skirt and coconut bra.

The creative and carefully detailed set (Frank Blackmore) helped to bring the feeling of the mountains and ocean to the audience. Unfortunately, though, the scene changes were somewhat slow. The lighting (John Feick) and sound (Mark Goldstein and Karla Platzer) also faltered in places, but generally provided effective technical support for the action on stage. And the broad, bold sounds of the orchestra created a steady foundation from which the vocalists could ascend.

As the audience left JEB Stuart’s lovely production of South Pacific, much happy talk could be heard, proving that this was some enchanted evening of theater.

by Cathryn Dutton of TC Williams

This review was written by a Cappies high school critic. The Cappies were founded in 1999, for the purpose of celebrating high school theater arts and providing a learning opportunity for theater and journalism students. You can learn more at cappies.com.