Audrey

“The girl of his dreams speaks in an ear-assaulting New York wail of a voice. When Kelly begins to sing, though, she's a lustrous diva with a powerhouse vibrato. It's hard to believe such a big voice can issue from such a tiny body. The performance forges a powerful link to the similarly power-piped performance by Ellen Greene, who starred in the original production and went on to costar in the 1986 movie musical made from the show.”

Daryl H. Miller, LA Times Staff Writer

“Little Shop of Horrors is the definitive American rock opera, we're beginning to realize, and it finally has its definitive production.”

“If the show had been this well-cast on the Great White Way, it wouldn't be closing in 10 days.”

“Tari Kelly milks every nasal diphthong that Audrey, the girl whom Seymour loves from afar, speaks or sings for its ultimate comic potential. But when these two finally express their affection in the show's best song, ‘Suddenly, Seymour,’ there's deep emotion and more laughs.”

Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News

“The protagonist Seymour, a morally conflicted nebbish, is in the captivating hands of Anthony Rapp, who shares a showstopping chemistry with the radiant Tari Kelly as the self-deprecating heroine, Audrey. Both sing divinely. Kelly captures the squeaky-voiced naivete of this woebegone waif without mimicking Ellen Greene's indelible stamp on this role on stage and screen.”

Les Spindle, Backstage West

“The scene work and chemistry between Rapp and Tari Kelly (Audrey) are superb.”

“The first thing you notice when Tari Kelly first appears on stage as Audrey is that body - this young woman is one hot, sexy bombshell, oozing with sex appeal. I have to admit that I enjoyed Ms. Kelly's performance much more than the the Broadway Audrey (Kerry Butler). Kelly stays true to the basic elements that make her character so hysterical, but she still is able to bring her own special comedic gifts and talents to make the role her own. Kelly has perfected the kewpie doll voice that sounds like she snorted a couple of canisters of helium backstage. She also has mastered the bouncy walk on those massive pumps. The actress has terrific comic timing, pace, delivery, and energy encased in those tight skirts and blouses. She knows exactly how to milk those laughs with just a slight change in face or vocal tone. Kelly's singing is impeccable; she has an exquisite lilting soprano voice that melts you away. Her version of ‘Somewhere That's Green’ is just ravishing.

A musical highlight is the duet with Kelly and Rapp, ‘Suddenly Seymour.’ Both belt to the back wall with outstanding singing, then out of nowhere they grope and make out like they were in the hot tub on ‘The Bachelor.’ That's what you will adore about these two thespians; they sing so incredibly, and then create rip roaring laughter with their comedic talents.”

John Garcia, Talkin' Broadway.com

“Tari Kelly is terrific as Audrey, the dim-bulb girl whom Seymour saves from a sadistic relationship with a dentist. Kelly is a fascinating package - she's thin and willowy but owns a powerhouse singing voice, and her comic timing is bang-on.”

Paul Hodgins, Orange County Register