Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) brings a lively and refreshing production of Little Shop of Horrors to Houston's Hobby Center, running until November 3. The musical, created by the award-winning duo Howard Ashman and Alan Menken—famous for Disney classics like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin—tells the story of Seymour, a humble florist shop worker who stumbles upon a mysterious, bloodthirsty plant he names "Audrey II," after his crush. The unique premise, combining dark humor with an upbeat tempo, makes this show a quirky and entertaining experience.

One notable aspect of this production is its structure. While many short musicals of its length (90 minutes) skip an intermission, Little Shop of Horrors opts for a 52-minute first act, followed by a 20-minute intermission and a final 30-minute act. This pacing works well, keeping the show feeling breezy without sacrificing its lively energy.

What makes Little Shop of Horrors a standout is the memorable music and the eye-catching staging. With songs that range from playful to haunting, accompanied by strong vocal performances, the musical keeps the audience engaged and entertained. The novelty of a giant, human-eating plant on stage also adds to the show’s fun, drawing both laughs and gasps as Seymour’s relationship with Audrey II unfolds.

Spoilers Below

One aspect of the plot that may leave some audiences unsatisfied is the ending. In this darkly humorous tale, Seymour ultimately gets devoured by Audrey II, a surprising twist that subverts the typical hero-wins narrative. While the film version also follows this ending, it portrays Seymour as more villainous, giving the audience a greater reason to accept his downfall. The stage version's Seymour is a bit more sympathetic, even if he does make morally questionable choices. With a protagonist that audiences grow attached to, this ending might not feel as fulfilling, especially as nearly every character ends up meeting the same grisly fate.

End of Spoilers

Despite this, Little Shop of Horrors conveys underlying messages about materialism and the dangers of obsession. As the plant's demand for blood and fame escalates, the story reminds us of how easily people can be consumed by desires that lead to their downfall.

Overall, Little Shop of Horrors is an enjoyable, fast-paced production with humor, heart, and memorable music. The unique blend of horror and comedy makes it an experience that’s hard to forget, and one that most audiences will find fun and quirky.