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Q&A: Little Shop of Horrors

Performer Mark Willett on sharing the stage with a seven-foot plant puppet at the Lower Ossington Theatre

By Lauren Gillett • December 5, 2013

Presented by Lower Ossington Theatre
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Directed by Seanna Kennedy
Musical director: Robert Wilkinson

Mark Willett as Seymour and Kylie McMahon as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Photo by Seanna Kennedy.

One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, Little Shop of Horrors with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, is currently on stage in a new Toronto production at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Based on the 1960 black comedy film, the musical tells the story of Seymour, a skid-row floral assistant who discovers and raises a monstrous, flesh-eating plant in exchange for fame and fortune.

We caught up with performer Mark Willett to find out more about his experience playing Seymour alongside Jaqueline Martin as the fiesty R&B singing Audrey II.

Theatromania: How would you describe Lower Ossington Theatre's production of Little Shop of Horrors in a few sentences?

MW: Little Shop of Horrors falls into a similar vein as other musicals such as The Rocky Horror Show and Reefer Madness in being a send up of the B movie genre. The show is campy but the characters take themselves seriously which not only adds to the humour but makes the characters all that more endearing. The music has a Motown feel with tight harmonies and powerful voices. The LOT's production brings a lot of energy and charisma to this piece.

Theatromania: You play Seymour in the show. Can you tell us a bit about your character and his motivations?

MW: Seymour is an all around nice guy. He has spent his entire life on Skid Row, where the show takes place, and dreams of a better life for himself. His meekness, however, prevents him from ever stepping out of his comfort zone. He realizes his feelings for Audrey but doesn't have the confidence to ask her out. Seymour is easily convinced, however, by the plant to start doing terrible deeds to reach his dreams.

Theatromania: What are some of the challenges in staging this piece?

MW: Learning to share the stage with a seven-foot, smack-talking plant puppet has been daunting but fun. It has been a big lesson in spacial awareness. Despite having been in over 150 shows of Avenue Q, I have never operated a puppet. This has been my fist time using a puppet here at the LOT. I've been learning from the other puppeteers in the production and am thankful to not have to operate the larger puppets in this show.

Theatromania: What has been the best part of this experience so far?

MW: The first rehearsal where we had the revolve was a lot of fun. I spend a lot of time on the part of the set that revolves throughout the show and seeing people's reactions when it first turns always makes me smile. I also enjoy singing the song "Feed me (Git it)." I will gladly take any chance to sing with Jacqueline Martin.

Theatromania: What do you hope audiences take away from this performance?

MW: I hope they enjoy themselves, most of all. I hope they laugh. I hope that they leave with the songs stuck in their head.

Little Shop of Horrors runs from December 5 to January 12 at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

Show Dates:

Thu, 2013-12-05 - Sun, 2014-01-12