You know that feeling when you walk out of a musical humming the tunes but can't shake off the characters? That's Little Shop of Horrors for you. I remember seeing it off-Broadway years ago and being completely hooked by how these bizarre personalities collide on Skid Row. If you're digging into the characters of Little Shop of Horrors, you've come to the right place. Let's unpack everyone from Seymour's awkward charm to Audrey II's terrifying charisma.
Why These Characters Still Matter
It's wild how a story about a man-eating plant still feels fresh after 40 years. I think it's because the characters of Little Shop of Horrors represent something universal – that desperate hunger for something more, whether it's love, success, or literal human blood. Funny how that works.
Meet the Main Characters of Little Shop of Horrors
Seymour Krelborn: The Accidental Antihero
Poor Seymour. The guy just wants to impress Audrey and save Mushnik's flower shop. I've always thought his character walks this tightrope between relatable and terrifying. Remember when he sings "Grow for Me"? You root for him, but then... well, we all know how things escalate.
Key traits:
- Works at Mushnik's Skid Row Florists
- Discovers Audrey II during a "total eclipse"
- Secretly in love with coworker Audrey
- Moral compass deteriorates as the plant demands more blood
"Funny how those innocent beginnings turn dark so fast. Seymour starts feeding the plant his own blood, then progresses to... well, let's just say burglars aren't safe anymore."
Audrey: More Than Just a Damsel
Okay, let's clear something up: Audrey isn't just some passive love interest. Her song "Somewhere That's Green" hits me every time – it's this heartbreaking mix of vulnerability and resilience. She dates Orin the dentist because she thinks she doesn't deserve better. Relatable much?
Audrey II: The Real Star of the Show
You can't talk about the characters of Little Shop of Horrors without gushing about this carnivorous wonder. What starts as a "strange and interesting plant" becomes this terrifying smooth-talker. Fun fact: the voice is usually a deep baritone (like Levi Stubbs in the 1986 film), creating this unsettling contrast with its cute name.
Growth Stages of Audrey II
| Stage | Size | Personality Shift | Feeding Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | Small potted plant | Whimpers for blood | Drops of Seymour's blood |
| Teenager | Waist-high | Develops speech ability | Animal blood (cats/dogs) |
| Young Adult | Larger than humans | Manipulative persona emerges | Human blood required |
| Mature (Finale) | Giant monster | Openly threatens humanity | Mass consumption |
Orin Scrivello: Dentistry's Worst Nightmare
My dentist once told me Orin ruined people's trust in dentists forever. Can't blame them – this guy gets off on pain. His song "Dentist!" is this terrifyingly catchy anthem of sadism. What makes him fascinating isn't just the brutality, but how Audrey II exploits Seymour's hatred for him.
Mr. Mushnik: The Calculating Opportunist
Not gonna lie, Mushnik grows on you. When he adopts Seymour just to keep Audrey II in his shop? Cold. But his song "Mushnik and Son" has this bittersweet quality – you see his desperation to survive Skid Row.
The Urchins: Crystal, Ronette & Chiffon
These three are the soul of the show. Acting as a Greek chorus, they guide us through the story with killer harmonies. I love how their presence evolves – early on they're observers, but by "The Meek Shall Inherit," they're practically warning Seymour to his face.
Stage vs Film Character Differences
| Character | Stage Version | 1986 Film Version |
|---|---|---|
| Audrey II | Puppet operated by visible puppeteers | Advanced puppetry (Brian Henson) |
| Seymour | More overtly nerdy/comical | Rick Moranis' sympathetic portrayal |
| Ending | Full apocalyptic finale | Studio-mandated happier ending |
Supporting Characters You Should Know
People often overlook characters like the derelict who narrates the beginning, or Mrs. Luce the customer who gets suspicious. But they add crucial texture to Skid Row. My favorite? Skip Snip, Orin's patient who appears in the stage version – that guy embodies pure terror.
Character Dynamics That Drive the Story
What makes the characters of Little Shop of Horrors work so well is how their motivations clash:
- Seymour vs Conscience: His moral decay as fame corrupts him
- Audrey vs Self-Worth: Her journey from abuse to realizing she deserves love
- Audrey II vs Humanity: Playing on everyone's desires to manipulate them
The brilliance is how these relationships mirror real human weaknesses – we've all compromised ethics for gain at some point, haven't we?
Musical Moments That Define the Characters
You haven't truly experienced these characters until you've heard their signature songs:
| Song | Character(s) | Reveals |
|---|---|---|
| "Skid Row" | Full Company | Shared desperation of the neighborhood |
| "Somewhere That's Green" | Audrey | Her hidden vulnerability and dreams |
| "Dentist!" | Orin | His sadistic pleasure in pain |
| "Suddenly, Seymour" | Seymour/Audrey | Their emotional breakthrough |
| "Feed Me" | Audrey II/Seymour | The plant's true nature and Seymour's temptation |
Casting Choices That Shaped the Characters
Let's be real – some actors defined these roles forever. Levi Stubbs' voice for Audrey II? Pure menace coated in honey. Ellen Greene's quirky Audrey? Iconic. I saw a regional production where Audrey II sounded like a used car salesman – surprisingly effective!
Famous Actors Who Played These Roles
- Seymour: Lee Wilkof (original), Jonathan Groff (revival), Rick Moranis (film)
- Audrey: Ellen Greene (stage and film), Tammy Blanchard (revival)
- Audrey II Voice: Levi Stubbs (film), Martin P. Robinson (puppeteer)
Frequently Asked Questions About Characters of Little Shop of Horrors
Was Audrey II always a character who could talk?
In the original 1960 film? Nope. The musical completely transformed the plant into a manipulative, singing villain. Smartest change they could've made.
Why do the characters of Little Shop of Horrors feel so relatable despite being exaggerated?
Because at their core, they represent universal struggles: wanting acceptance (Seymour), dreaming of better life (Audrey), and battling greed (everyone feeding the plant).
How much did the characters change from stage to screen?
Significantly. The film softened Seymour and Audrey, gave Audrey II more screen presence, and tragically cut the original ending where the plant conquers the world. Still bitter about that.
Are any characters based on real people?
Writer Howard Ashman said the Skid Row setting was inspired by 1960s NYC tenements, but the characters are original. Though I've met a few dentists who made me think of Orin...
What's the most challenging character to perform?
Audrey II, hands down. Puppeteers train for months to sync movement with voice actors. I saw an off-Broadway show where the plant's puppeteer emerged drenched in sweat – it's athletic!
Psychological Layers of the Characters
Beneath the singing carnivorous plant, there's real depth. Seymour represents the corrupting influence of ambition. Audrey embodies the cycle of abuse. Audrey II? Pure id – desire without morality. Makes you wonder who the real monster is.
Legacy of These Unforgettable Personalities
Decades later, people still analyze the characters of Little Shop of Horrors. Why? Because they're timeless warnings wrapped in catchy tunes. Seymour shows how easily good intentions crumble. Audrey reminds us that self-worth must come from within. And Audrey II? Well, maybe don't trust talking plants promising fame.
Final thought? These characters endure because we see fragments of ourselves in them – the longing, the compromises, the moments where we might feed our own Audrey II for a taste of success. Chilling stuff when you think about it.
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