<![CDATA[The Watertown Splash]]> <![CDATA[The Watertown Splash]]> /Portals/2/logos/cropped-27887f2e-9742-4fb4-b4be-cf3d39d05ed5-12.11.12-0001.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 21 May 2013 09:04:44 GMT 15 <![CDATA[New Rep's "Little Shop of Horrors" serves up a bloody, good time]]> By Claire B.

- Photo courtesy of New Repertory Theatre
Blake Pfeil as Seymour holds his plant Audrey II in "Little Shop of Horrors," which runs at the New Repertory Theatre at the Arsenal Center for the Arts until May 20.

THEATER REVIEW Bloody, good time at New Rep's "Little Shop" By CLAIRE B. Watertown Splash staff reporter “Little Shop of Horrors” has something for everyone -- except maybe small children. The storyline is quirky and dramatic, and keeps you on your toes. The songs are fun and reminiscent of early ’60’s pop. I am not normally a fan of science fiction or horror stories, but I had a really good time at this show put on by the New Repertory Theatre at Arsenal Center for the Arts, and I would give it a four out of five. “Little Shop of Horrors” is about a young botanist/florist named Seymour. He lives downtown on Skid Row and is questioning his purpose in life when he finds a strange plant in a market, buys it, and brings it back to the shop where he works, which is owned by Mr. Mushnik. Seymour quickly discovers that the plant eats only human flesh and blood, and as it grows, it requires more and more. Seymour is desperate to impress Audrey, who also works at the florist shop. They fall in love, but Seymour worries that if he loses the plant, which is quickly making him famous, Audrey will not love him anymore. Finally, after his guilt about killing the people he loves to feed the plant is too much for him, he decides to kill the plant. Tragically, while trying to kill the plant, he is eaten as well. Cuttings are taken of the plant, and it spreads across the nation, wreaking havoc wherever it reaches. Although this may sound like a gloomy and depressing story to watch unfold, it is full of jokes and is so outrageous that at times you may not be sure of whether or not to laugh. Audrey has several funny lines, as does Seymour, but the funniest characters are Paul D. Farwell, playing Mr. Mushnik, and the sadist dentist played by Bill Mootos -- especially in his dying scene, when he dies because he has inhaled too much laughing gas. “Little Shop of Horrors” is not the best show for small children. There is some swearing, but mainly little kids will probably be confused or scared by the plot. I recommend it to anyone else though, even if you don’t like horror stories. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. (“Little Shop of Horrors” runs through May 20. New Repertory Theatre, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. For tickets, call 617-923-8487 or go to http://www.newrep.org/little_shop.php .) --May 3, 2012-- ]]> Fri, 04 May 2012 05:16:37 GMT