Little Shop of Horrors took the stage for a special evening that combine Chamber Night, Press & Student Night, and Opening Night at the Plaza on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Local critic Ben Sharp penned a review:

“That was the best play ever!” That was the judgment of the young girl sitting behind me in The Plaza Theatre moments after Little Shop of Horrors came to a close. Although her theater experience is likely quite limited, I cannot disagree with her final assessment. The show, truly, may very well be one of the best plays ever.

Scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays between Aug. 13-23, Little Shop of Horrors is a hilarious, visually stunning — and sometimes, quite dark — interpretation of Roger Corman’s 1960 film, which was remade by Frank Oz in 1982 and became a cult classic.

Seymour Krelborn (played by Sammuel Robinson) uses his own blood as a food source for his maneater plant, Audrey II. “Little Shop of Horrors” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre August 13th-23rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sarah Wilkins.

The play is directed by Plaza legend Reagan Wrench, perhaps best known for his stellar acting abilities. I must admit that I went into the show disappointed that Wrench would not be playing one of the characters, as his past performances have been nothing short of extraordinary. But after seeing what he is capable of from the director’s chair, I now possess a newfound respect for his theatrical talents. Wrench is assisted in the play by Plaza veteran Al Folmar.

Wrench said that Little Shop of Horrors was a nostalgic experience as the Plaza performed the musical in 2009, some 17 years ago.

“We’ve decided to take on the challenge once again,” he said. “Since we’ve done it before, we figured this time we’d make it even bigger and better.”

Bigger and better seem to be apt descriptions for the musical. It is an absolute tour de force of music, visuals, props, dancing, lighting, sound and every other theater element ever created. As a musical, the show knocks it out of the park, with enough songs to satiate a Broadway music fanatic. Act I has 13 songs alone, with another seven appearing in Act II.

Mr. Mushnik (played by Darin Mielke) talks with a trio of Skid Row girls, from left, Chiffon (Hailey Thorn), Crystal (Julia Kovar), and Ronnette (Riley Respondek) “Little Shop of Horrors” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre August 13th-23rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sarah Wilkins.

In some instances, such a dense repertoire might create an oversaturation of sound, but in this particular case, it has quite the opposite effect. The songs are bright, quick and up tempo, never once overtaxing the audience’s auditory capabilities. Music director Darin Mielke and assistant music director Debra Lemson deserve a ton of credit for pulling such a feat off so beautifully. How they manage to put this all together in such a satisfying way is beyond my comprehension.

But Lemson and Mielke must share the accolades with choreographers Sheila Taylor and Brooke Brune, who transform each song into an intricate movement of dance, gesture and expression. There are songs where so much is going on that I was unsure of where to look first. Like a kid in a candy store, there was a myriad of options for satisfying my sweet tooth, from the gigantic automated plant inhabiting center stage (more on that later) to the trio of attractive singers harmonizing on stage right.

Yet I never felt frustrated by these choices. Like the vocals, the choreography was successful in finding that perfect balance between complexity and entertainment. At the end of it all, I was simply left wanting a little more.

Skid Row wino (Jony Hernandez) looks for a place to enjoy his booze. “Little Shop of Horrors” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre August 13th-23rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sarah Wilkins.

That’s not to say, of course, that everything was perfect. No show ever is. A few vocals fell flat, some of the harmony strayed off course, and at times the sound mix was a little too loud for my ears to handle (at least from my second-row seat). But, overall, it was brilliantly presented.

Of the musical numbers, my personal favorites were “Somewhere That’s Green,” “Feed Me (Git It),” “Dentist!” and “Now (It’s Just the Gas).” Two of these songs were performed by actor Ben Wandell, who tackled several key roles in the musical. Wandell was an absolute force to be reckoned with, commanding the stage every time he stepped from behind the curtain. From a raging, sadistic dentist to a magazine editor’s wife, Wandell took on a half dozen roles with the furor of a bull charging through the streets of Pamplona, Spain. He was loud, expressive, physical, funny and dynamic — all in the best of ways. Simply put, Wandell stole the show.

While Wandell took charge from front and center, Jon Blouin commanded from a rearward position. As the voice of Audrey II — the play’s antagonistic man-eating plant — Blouin spent almost the entire show hidden, his bass-heavy voice adding life and vibrancy to one of the theater’s most unique characters. Without Blouin’s vocal talents, the entire show could have fallen flat.

Ensemble cast members Amber Barbee, left, and Arielle Scott stand in a trash-strewn Skid Row alleyway. “Little Shop of Horrors” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre August 13th-23rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sarah Wilkins.

Speaking of the plant, it’s difficult to describe the genius behind its design. Portrayed initially as something of a house-plant, the maneater becomes the centerpiece of the show, growing in size throughout the performance until it inhabits a massive part of the set and is large enough to “digest” a full-size human. The team behind its design and construction did an incredible job. Al Folmar and Reagan Wrench oversee this endeavor, with Riley Respondek and Holly Respondek adding their expertise. Regina Barnes adds the perfect final touches with hair and makeup.

The colorful, intricate set pieces — creatively morphing from a Skid Row flower shop to a dentist’s office and back again — serve as the perfect backdrop for Audrey II’s shenanigans. They are the brainchild of Reagan Wrench, Al Folmar and Janice McDonald, with the actual construction expertly handled by Burke Wilkins, Sarah Wilkins and Matthew Klima.

Audrey (Chelsea Davang) imagines a better future, one without an abusive boyfriend. “Little Shop of Horrors” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre August 13th-23rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sarah Wilkins.

When it comes to the actual performers, it’s like watching the MLB’s All-Star game. Every cast member is well-suited to his or her role, encapsulating the heart and soul of the production. A total of 14 performers grace the stage at one point or another.

Leading the pack is Sammuel Robinson, playing the protagonist Seymour Krelborn. Robinson is extremely comfortable in the role, portraying a timid shop worker who gets suckered into a dastardly plot by Audrey II, his BFF. Playing Robinson’s love interest is Chelsea Davang, in the role of Audrey. Audrey is a complex character, initially presented as a cheap, Skid Row floozy but later showing sensitivity, imagination, and a willingness to sacrifice her own unrealized life for the sake of Krelborn. Robinson and Davang are wonderful in their roles, projecting well, expressing the correct emotion at the correct time and doing an admirable job with their vocals.

Plaza veteran Darin Mielke plays Mr. Mushnik, the flower shop’s owner. Mielke is the quintessential seedy, unscrupulous businessman seeking to find fame and fortune at all costs. Mielke and Robinson make a convincing pair, creating tension and intrigue.

Seymour (Sammuel Robinson) and Audrey (Chelsea Davang), left, look over the flower shop’s plant stock while Mr. Mushnik (Darin Mielke) broods at the counter. “Little Shop of Horrors” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre August 13th-23rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sarah Wilkins.

One interesting addition to the play is the singing trio of Crystal, Chiffon and Ronnette, played by Julia Kovar, Hailey Thorn and Riley Respondek, respectively. The trio appears at various places throughout the play to add a musical commentary on the plot, sometimes serving as background singers while at other times taking a more central role in the action. All three actresses are impressive singers capable of creating the most pleasing harmony. They further add an attractive visual element, clad in dazzling costumes throughout the show.

Rounding out the cast are Jony Hernandez (hilarious as a wino), Arielle Scott, Amber Barbee, Regina Barnes (serving as the puppeteer), Janice McDonald and Wil Harborth.

Tough guy Orin Scrivello (Ben Wandell) displays his true occupation as a dentist during a rousing number. “Little Shop of Horrors” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre August 13th-23rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sarah Wilkins.

Credits include Darin Mielke and Debra Lemson as musical directors; Sheila Taylor and Brooke Brune as choreographers; Seth Thayne as stage manager; Quinn Wrench as assistant stage manager; Kenneth Socha on lighting design and as lighting board operator; Kay Gilley as spotlight operator; Leeanna Shimek on sound design and as sound board operator; Roxy Gilley on microphones; Jami Hughes on box office and house management; Quinn Wrench on concessions management; Russell Kacer on communications; and Sharon Joines and Jenna Hooker on photography.

Little Shop of Horrors is presented by El Campo Animal Hospital. Please note that due to comic violence, mature language and dark themes, the show may not be suitable for young children.

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ABOUT BEN SHARP: Benjamin Sharp is the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Advancement for Wharton County Junior College. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and lives in Wharton with his wife, Kristen, and their three kids, Madalyn, Andrew and Matthew.