The University of Rhode Island theatre department took audiences down Skid Row, performing “Little Shop of Horrors” last Thursday, and will continue to do so through Sunday.
The show, directed by Paula Mcglasson and Jimmy Calitri, marks the fourth and final show from URI theatre’s 2023-2024 season. The musical production is based on the 1960 film of the same name, which was directed by Roger Corman.
As for what went into selecting “Little Shop,” Mcglasson, who is also the chair of the theatre department, mentioned a number of factors. One of the points she mentioned was the construction on the Fine Arts Center, which currently restricts performances into J Studio, a black box theatre with a seating capacity of 250. In last year’s performance of “Into The Woods,” the Robert E. Will Theatre was open, which allowed a capacity of 500.
“This year we knew because of the construction we’d be back in [J Studio] producing a show,” Mcglasson said. “It just seemed a very, very good fit. So many of the students knew it and wanted to do it that it was pretty much a unanimous decision.”
The show’s other director was URI graduate Jimmy Calitri, a former student of Mcglasson’s who is currently an associate professor at Providence College. He described the unconventional nature and the dark comedy as something that can create a truly unique experience. He also went into detail about his prior experiences with “Little Shop” and how this show varied from those.
“What attracts me to ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is that ‘every man story’ of someone who is relatable who gets thrusted into very unusual circumstances,” Calitri said. “The themes and the messages are super fun. It’s something that the students can really sink their teeth into. I’ve only seen it done at a Broadway style theatre with some distance.”
Calitri described the setup of J Studio as putting the audience directly into Skid Row, which is where “Little Shop” takes place. Calitri’s point was backed up, as street urchins interacted with each other and audience members during the show, which immediately set the precedent for an immersive theatrical experience.
The show starred fourth-year Josh Winderman playing the role of Seymour, second-year Joey Fortune in the role of Audrey, fourth-year David Weber II playing Mr. Mushnik and fourth-year Liam Roberts playing Orin Scrivello. The notorious, bloodthirsty plant “Audrey II” was voiced by first-year Isaiah Agabi, who sang off-stage and watched the stage via a monitor.
In the case of Audrey II, a one-of-a-kind workaround was needed to deliver the performance to its fullest potential. The singing killer plant eventually grows large enough to be able to consume a full-sized human. This required a number of puppeteers, as well as precision and teamwork between the puppeteering crew and the actor behind the voice.
Agabi, who played Audrey II, was “thrusted into the spotlight” according to Mcglasson. Only a first-year, Agabi has also appeared in URI’s “Macbeth,” where he played the titular character, and “Marie Antoinette,” where he played Axel Fersen.
“I love sharing my work,” Agabi said. “With all the time we all put into these shows, it’s rewarding to be on stage and show everyone what we’ve been doing.”
“Little Shop of Horrors” will continue its performances through the weekend. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling (401) 874-5843 or at the box office in Room 101H in the Fine Arts Center. For more information, visit URI’s theatre department website .