Among the many unforgettable elements of Little Shop of Horrors, few are as instantly recognizable as Audrey II, the larger-than-life carnivorous plant that has delighted and terrified audiences for generations. With her unforgettable personality, comedic timing, and commanding stage presence, Audrey II is far more than a prop: she is one of musical theatre’s most iconic characters.
Bringing a character like Audrey II to life requires a unique combination of craftsmanship, performance, and collaboration. Puppetry in live theatre is an art form built on connection: movement, timing, and expression must work seamlessly with the actors onstage to create the illusion of a living, breathing character. Behind every gesture is a performer making choices, responding in the moment, and helping audiences believe in the world of the story.
Bringing Audrey II to life was itself an ambitious feat of theatrical design. The production’s larger-than-life plant was created by a team of designers that included Chris Runco, a veteran Disney Imagineer who’s more than three-decade career helped shape some of Disney’s most immersive environments. For Little Shop of Horrors, that experience in creating fantastical worlds took root onstage: the design team constructed one of the largest Audrey II puppets to date, giving the production a spectacular centerpiece worthy of the famously insatiable plant.
For this production of Little Shop of Horrors, puppeteer Robby DeVillez brings his own storytelling experience to Audrey II. Robby is a voiceover actor, screenwriter, filmmaker, and puppeteer whose work spans multiple creative disciplines. His background in performance and storytelling offers a unique perspective on creating a character whose personality must shine through a puppet.
We spoke with Robby about the challenges of performing Audrey II, the artistry behind puppetry, and the collaboration that brings this beloved character to life.
Q: What does it take to physically bring Audrey II to life onstage, and what surprised you most about performing the plant?
Audrey 2 is by far the largest and heaviest puppet I’ve ever worked with. The size is a great challenge, but I’m love giving the plant some personality!
Q: How do you build personality and comedy into a character when so much of your performance is happening through a puppet?
A: Finding moments of authenticity, emotion, and little tongue and cheek give me a fun life with the character. Audrey 2 is song and performed by the VERY talented Lord Kraven. I get a lot of inspiration from his performance. I told him day 1 that he is leading the dance and I will heighten and support anything he does. It’s been a joy and blast sharing this role with him.
Q: What has been the most surprising or rewarding part of performing such an iconic character in this production?
A: The thing that surprises me the most is the difference between the stage musical and the 1984 film. Love them both because of their differences and I love that the world gets both.
Q: Puppeteering creates such a unique kind of scene partnership. How have you and Ruby Lewis developed the timing and chemistry needed to make Audrey and Audrey II’s interactions feel alive?
A: Ruby has been a gem (pun inteded). She is so open to play and other than our collaboration, I’m honestly just making sure she is safe. It’s a large puppet and its live theater so I’m on my toes. But I must say I the team who created this show has been so careful, thoughtful and fun!
Little Shop of Horrors runs September 3rd-13th. Tickets are available at https://www.altadenamusictheatre.com