Nashville on Stage: Boiler Room presents "Little Shop of Horrors"

by Bill Dorian

Magic Chef stoves were once manufactured inside the thick brick walls of the 100-year-old-plus factory building that now houses the Factory at Franklin, a mini-shopping mall with specialty shops, antique stores, restaurants -- and the Boiler Room Theatre.

Between the turn of the 20th Century and 1959, the area now home to a production of the musical play "Little Shop of Horrors" hosted the factory's heating system or boiler -- hence the name Boiler Room Theatre. In fact, the actual old boiler is still to be found behind the stage area.

The Magic Chef stoves are gone now, but those sturdy units have been replaced by the Magic of Theatre. Playing through June 8, "Little Shop of Horrors" reinvents the word 'magic' at the old Factory.

One of a growing number of professional theatres in the Nashville area, the Boiler Room Theatre may offer the closest thing to Off Broadway to be found in Middle Tennessee. The high brick walls surround an intimate (but not tiny) theatre space reminiscent of some of the more secluded theatre venues in New York.

The acoustics are incredible. I've seen a dozen productions of "Little Shop of Horrors," but with the Boiler Room's fantastic sound arrangement, I was able to understand words to songs I'd never been able to decipher before. Now 'tis true, I'm a bit hard of hearing -- but I'll bet I'm not the only one who's a bit deaf in any given audience.

The Boiler Room Theatre is set to become one of the Nashville area's prime professional theatres. This was my first visit, but if they retain this high level of professionalism and flair for casting, the Boiler Room's production team has defined their own niche.

"Little Shop..." has become a staple in modern American musical comedy. An affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies, it has become well known primarily due to the highly successful film version showcasing the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken -- a team also responsible for Disney's "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Aladdin."

If you missed the 1986 movie version with Rick Moranis and Steve Martin or have skillfully avoided seeing any of "Little Shop of Horrors'" many community theatre incarnations, here's a brief rundown: ÊÊA mild-mannered, i.e., 'dorky,' flower shop flunky, Seymour, becomes an overnight celebrity when he grows an exotic, and rather charismatic plant. He names The Plant 'Audrey II' after the woman he's madly in love with -- a coworker who naturally won't have anything to do with Seymour. Audrey, on the other hand, is enamored with a sadistic motorcycle jockey who also turns out to be a demented dentist named Orin.

The owner of the flower shop, Mr. Mushnik, is so eager not to lose Seymour and his famous Plant to a rival shop, he adopts the former loser as his own son. All goes splendidly until the carnivorous Plant begins eating people. (Remember? It's a science fiction spoof.) As body parts disappear, the Plant gets bigger and bigger -- and Seymour's fate is sealed.

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Jeremy John Evans plays Seymour to a nerdy crescendo. Evans makes the dork lovable and cuddly, but is astute at revealing Seymour's darker, sinister side. His comic timing is quick, and his tenor voice is sharply full and rich. His song and dance number with Mr. Mushnik, played by Scott Rice, is especially hilarious.

Speaking of Rice, his Mushnik is one of the comic delights of the show. His fussy, officious and egocentric portrayal is reminiscent of Fatty Arbuckle (have I been watching too many OLD movies?). Rice does seem a bit young for the part, but his solid stage presence will make you forget the age discrepancy.

Erin Parker is dynamic and larger than life as Audrey, the shop girl upon whom Seymour has a huge crush. Her resounding mezzo-soprano (almost contralto) voice not only fills the hall, but almost seems to make the walls vibrate. Her characterization is pure Betty Boop with a wiggle -- totally appropriate for the part. Parker is, however, such a commanding presence -- I didn't feel the empathy I think I should have from her supposed "victimization" by the sadistic Orin. ÊÊJ. Dietz Osborne plays that sadistic, pain-gas sniffing, motorcycle riding dentist, Orin, with swagger and vigor. What Osborne may not possess in 'hulkiness,' he more than makes up for in attitude. He also plays about eight other minor characters ranging from a Skid Row wino, to a high-pressure talent agent, to a prissy lady customer. A very talented and versatile young actor.

Three Bee Bop style background singers sort of act as a Skid Row Greek chorus. They comment on the action of the play and occasionally participate and interact with the principles through dialogue and song. Ashlie Polk plays Crystal; Micky Jones is Chiffon; and Mary Bea Johnson portrays Ronnette. The girls are all fantastic singers, and their '50s-style harmonies are pristine. A great addition to an already 'rocking' show.

The Boiler Room Theatre's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" is an intensely professional, well-acted, well-sung and well-choreographed rollicking musical event.

The pacing and comic shtick is well thought out and executed by director Lewis Kempfer. Musical direction by Jamey Green is sweetly resonant and meticulously applied. Choreography by Nancy Whitehead is creative and aptly funny.

In short, it's a heck of a performance. And the atmosphere of the entire Factory of Franklin complex and the intimate Boiler Room Theatre itself is well worth the few extra miles to Franklin. Call 794-7744 for reservations. Or check out their website at www.BoilerRoomTheatre.com