You may know Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard in the popular teen drama “Euphoria” on HBO Max or the daughter of director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann. However you know her, it is probably not from her from the newest addition to her repertoire: Audrey in the off-Broadway production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Apatow made her stage debut on Feb. 7, and by chance, my mom and I got to see her second performance the next night. Imagine our surprise when we arrive at the small Westside Theater and Judd Apatow, Mann, and their younger daughter, Iris (with her boyfriend, Ryder Robinson, the son of actress Kate Hudson), are sitting three rows in front of us. Add on top of that 10 rows worth of people wearing black beanies that said “Maudrey” (a combination of Maude and Audrey) on them — very clearly friends of the family — and it was like being at a high school recital, surrounded by the friends and family of the lead. Whenever Apatow walked on the stage, the crowd went wild. The fact that she did not break character once with all her friends screaming wildly for her is a true testament to her acting skills.
“Little Shop of Horrors” is about a poor young man named Seymour Krelborn (Matt Doyle) living on Skid Row and working in a failing flower shop. With an interest in unique plants, he finds a “strange and unusual” plant which he names Audrey II, after his coworker Audrey on whom he has a crush. When he discovers that Audrey II is both sentient and hungry for human blood, Seymour resorts to killing to keep the plant alive. With a 1960s rock-and-roll-like soundtrack, the show balances horror with comedy and is often considered a cult classic.
She exhibits the hopeless longing to leave Orin and live in the suburbs with Seymour, her adoration for Seymour, and her shame and self-deprecation as she believes she is deserving of abuse.
As a fan of the musical, I had my doubts when I found out that Apatow was cast as the deuteragonist, big-hearted but down on her luck Audrey. The character is a mature, abused woman also living on Skid Row, dreaming of a better life with her co-worker but accepting her relationship with her abusive boyfriend, Orin Scrivello (Drew Gehling).
The actress who originated the role in this Off-Broadway production, Tammy Blanchard, was 43 years old at the time. While Apatow is a talented actress, she is only 24 years old, so it was initially hard to imagine the young and beautiful Apatow as broken-down Audrey. While her youthful face may be a giveaway, she is believable in the role and did a great job in the performance.
Along with acting, writing and directing, Apatow can officially add singing to her list of talents. She thrived in Audrey’s solo songs, a ballad of melancholic yearning, “Somewhere That’s Green” and the iconic belter “Suddenly, Seymour,” eliciting thunderous applause from the audience.
From the band to the actors to the puppeteers, every aspect of “Little Shop of Horrors” works to bring the show together and maintain the iconic legacy of the musical.
Apatow was able to capture the subtle complexities that make up Audrey’s character. In an interview with Vogue Magazine, director Michael Mayer said: “Maude brings a sweet innocence and untrammeled sincerity to the character that makes the audience feel protective of her.” She exhibits the hopeless longing to leave Orin and live in the suburbs with Seymour, her adoration for Seymour, and her shame and self-deprecation as she believes she is deserving of abuse.
While it may seem like stunt casting, make no mistake: Apatow exhibits talent that signals potential for a bright future in stage acting on top of the success she has already had on screen. However, many people were not as happy with her casting in this production. In the comment section of an Instagram post by Playbill.com announcing her stage debut, many of the comments were simply calling her a “nepo baby,” referencing her privilege in show business due to her parents’ (especially her father’s) status.
In defense of Apatow, since this revival of “Little Shop of Horrors” premiered in 2019, the casting has been mostly well-known actors, especially in the Broadway community. For instance, the original production starred Jonathan Groff (“Spring Awakening,” “Hamilton”) as Seymour, Christian Borle (“Smash”) as Orin and Blanchard (“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”) as Audrey. So it is not unreasonable that a primarily screen actor like Apatow was cast.
Starring alongside Apatow as the protagonist Seymour is the Tony-award winning actor Doyle (“Company”) and Tony-nominated actors Gehling (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) as Audrey’s abusive boyfriend, Orin Scrivello, and Brad Oscar (“Something Rotten!”) as Skid Row floral shop owner Mr. Mushnik. However, if neither these names nor Apatow’s entices you to theater, then the incredible staging of the Audrey II (Aaron Arnell Harrington) puppet might.
At the show’s climax, Audrey II takes up most of the stage, with its leaves and vines climbing up the sides of the stage. For reference, it reaches a size big enough to fit a person in its mouth as the plant consumes the actors around it. Audrey II manages to sing and move and grow as it steals each scene.
From the band to the actors to the puppeteers, every aspect of “Little Shop of Horrors” works to bring the show together and maintain the iconic legacy of the musical. Apatow will continue to play Audrey through April 30 at the Westside Theater, and remember … don’t feed the plants.
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