Review: Standing Room Only Theater’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ 

Rachel Benton

Do you remember the first time you saw "Little Shop of Horrors?" Did you see it on stage, watch the movie, or have you yet to experience this comedy horror musical?  

I first encountered "Little Shop of Horrors" as a teenager, contemplating auditioning for my high school’s production. I enjoyed the movie and music so much that I worried my vocal chops weren’t quite up to the task of helping the show blossom.

In other words, I chickened out. I even skipped cheering on my friends in the show because I feared the regret of watching them do something I deeply wished I did.  

My overflowing schedule almost made me miss this show again, but a last-minute cancellation gave me the chance to finally seize the day and head to Skid Row (two ideas that don’t often go together!). 

An iconic show like this demands incredible attention to detail, love, care, a splash of crazy, and a team of delightfully quirky and eccentric people working behind the scenes. With all these ingredients and a good dose of community spirit, Yelm’s Standing Room Only (SRO) Theater created an outstanding, high-quality adaptation of this beloved musical.

 The review 

Skid Row has so many shining stars, but one that deserves an extra round of applause is the set design.

Community theater often works on a limited budget, but the team at SRO proved creativity can go a long way. Their work was so impressive that I could easily imagine myself sitting in the audience of a high-end professional production. Director Charles Phillips and his team have a lot to be proud of.  

Speaking of things I’d expect in a high-end production, the cast's overall vocal quality was outstanding, and Music Director Heather Matthews deserves plenty of credit for it!

Every cast member maintained a consistent accent throughout the show, which matters more than you might think. And those belts? Absolutely incredible! I’m especially glad Matthews allowed the music to soar naturally rather than trying to rein it in. The result gave me semi-permanent goosebumps.  

Everyone in the cast deserves applause, but today I would like to celebrate my personal favorites from the cast.  

Understudy James Dover took the stage as Seymour in the performance I attended, and I’m so grateful I got to see him in a leading role! Remember when I chatted with Dover earlier this year? You can read our conversation here.

As he demonstrated in this production, Dover is a talented singer, an emotionally dynamic performer, and a wonderfully responsive actor. He’s often found working behind the scenes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him on stage more often. Production companies and audiences alike would be lucky to have him.

Haley Paine’s vocal chops are straight out of Broadway! I’ve seen her in other shows, but I was especially delighted to see her take on a leading role that truly lets her talents shine.

Paine’s Audrey could bring you to tears in the best possible ways, whether through laughter, pure sweetness, or sheer vocal power! Local directors, take note: Paine is a rising star, and I sincerely hope we’ll have the pleasure of seeing her on stage more often.

 Luke Foster Kosbab’s Dentist role made me laugh so much that he almost made the slimy, masochistic medical provider likable! Was I still satisfied when Audrey II ate him? Absolutely, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment he spent on stage. 

 Speaking of Audrey II, Gregory Conn’s voice is truly rare yet delightful — and exactly what a show like this needs. His voice has the perfect mix of grit, irony, and power, and his evil cackle is out of this world! The sparkly suit he wore at the end of the show has officially earned my award for the best costume of the year. Bravo costume designer Meg Long! 

 My final round of applause goes to Brooke Upton, who played Crystal, one of Skid Row’s fabulous gal pals. Upton has a Broadway-quality voice that knows exactly when to stand out and when to blend seamlessly with the ensemble.

Her joy on stage was contagious, which is saying something, given how evident everyone’s passion for their craft was throughout the production. Upton was a delight to watch, adding another layer of talent and energy to an already outstanding cast! 

Hurry and get your tickets for the last showings happening this weekend!  

Rachel is a writer, arts advocate, performing arts enthusiast, and passionate about our beloved Thurston County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Music. You can enjoy more of Rachel's writings by visiting her website. All inquiries for Rachel can be submitted here.