My very first time at the Ford’s Theatre was a rather exciting visit. For a start, the theatre is a historical preserved museum. The reason for this is that the former president of the USA, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated in the box above stage left (practically, on stage!). Therefore this is a first for me: to see a show that’s in an auditorium which has been the last sight of a person alive. Not just anyone, however! There is a whole museum in this tourist attraction which is dedicated to the history – which I sadly didn’t get the chance to view  on this occasion but will another time.

To begin with, Little Shop of Horrors is a sci-fi horror comedy musical that has become one of the most treasured pieces of American musical theatre. With a recent Regent’s Park Open Air revival, it is also being played on Broadway with Jinx Monsoon of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame). The music for this show is by Alan Menken (and includes iconic songs such as ‘Suddenly Seymour’) and the lyrics and books are by Howard Ashman. It is based on many adaptations, the origin source being the 1960 film The Little Shop of Horrors.

The show pays homage to doo-wop and Motown recordings and follows a luckless florist shop worker, Seymour, who raises a wisecracking carnivorous plant – Audrey II – that must feed on human blood. He delights in the fame and fortune that his ever-growing plant attracts, while trying to show his co-worker Audrey that she is the girl of his dreams. As Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent toward world domination, he learns the lesson: “Don’t feed the plants!”.

It’s a light-hearted, whacky and weird story that ha catchy music (I was humming Suddenly Seymour during the journey to my hotel). If you’re looking for a show with heart, and will give you a great night out at the theatre, then this is it. The ensemble were all in sync – commanding the brilliant choreograhphy with ease –  and I was well and truly  entertained for the entirety of the show’s run time without ever looking to my wrist for the time.

If you’re in Washington D.C. I’d highly recommend going to this venue: the standard of the acts on stage was perfect, and it’s a cosy theatre with beautiful architecture and history.

Until May 18, 2024 only: https://fords.org/performance/little-shop-of-horrors-2024/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwuJ2xBhA3EiwAMVjkVNwOx0_7XOIsEPUPg0mEH7ZKA68cu-dsVcBfSyt1QAoFpDrOYLyAPBoCQSoQAvD_BwE