PicksInSix Review: Little Shop of Horrors - Porchlight Music Theatre
Porchlight’s ‘Little Shop’ is a Gas!
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy
That benevolent, blood-thirsty plant returns to Mushnik’s Flower Shop in Porchlight Music Theatre’s rollicking and fun-filled revival of “Little Shop of Horrors.” The 1982 musical, based on the 1960 cult film, is the brilliant work of the late Howard Ashman and Alan Menken and is playing thorough December 13 on the Začek McVay Mainstage at Porchlight’s new home, the historic Biograph Theater on North Lincoln. Keenly directed by Michael Weber, this is an evening of unmatched entertainment by a wonderfully talented ensemble, a seasoned creative team led by the fine work of music director David Fiorello and choreographer Nataki Rennie, and featuring a whopping scenic design by Jonathan Berg-Einhorn with era-appropriate costumes by Gregory Graham.
“Little Shop” is a satirical tongue-in-cheek take on world domination by a carnivorous alien plant set on Skid Row in 1960s New York City where the earnest Mr. Mushnik (Steve McDonagh) and his employees, Seymour Krelborn (Andrew Linden) and Audrey (Alina Taber), are struggling to make a decent living and forge a better life. The lush score incorporates a variety of musical styles and includes the touching ballad "Somewhere That’s Green,” a showcase moment for Taber, and the stirring love song “Suddenly Seymour” with Taber, Linden and the ever-present Urchins (Kiana Beverly, Donnalesly Fondjo and Aneesah Jemei).
After an outerworldly opening with shades of My Favorite Martian, the story begins when Seymour brings a fascinating plant that he has named “Audrey II” into the shop. Mushnik and company quickly agree that Audrey II could be the answer to their dreams. It doesn’t take long for Seymour to realize that he will have to make some serious concessions to Audrey II. His strong attraction to Audrey makes him particularly vulnerable.
Linden is a terrific as Seymour and Taber is adorable as the demure and wholesome Audrey, whose biggest fear is being alone and unloved. She just can’t seem to get the right man in, or out, of her life and is currently trapped in an unsettling relationship with a looney-tune abuser Orin (played magnificently by Adam Fane), a dentist we all love to hate. Dedicating himself to inflicting pain at every opportunity, Fane drills down to Orin’s evil essence with all the mischievous malevolence he can muster until he meets his untimely end. It is a singularly memorable, over-the-top performance, that includes many other cameo’s throughout the evening that display Fane’s irresistable charm and range of talent.
“Little Shop” requires a steady directorial hand in navigating the balance between the high comic satire of the story and Audrey II’s insatiable appetite or things can get dark in a hurry. Weber rightly focuses our attention on the star-crossed romance between Seymour and Audrey and succeeds in really making us feel for the attraction between them. As for poor Mushnik, who rarely gets a fair shake, McDonagh portrayal brings him vividly alive. And the Urchins provide steady support and strong vocal backup throughout.
Berg-Einhorn’s striking inner-city scene—one of the most impressive and functional sets seen here in a long time—is enhanced by the impressive lighting design of G. Max Maxin IV and Matthew R. Chase’s chilling sound design. All that said, the highlight of the night is solving one of this show’s most challenging effects: animating Audrey II from a small potted plant to a room-size man and woman eater, done here with gusto, voiced by the mesmerizing Juwon Tyrel Perry, and skillfully animated by puppeteer Josh Bernaski. Be warned: Don’t feed the plants and don’t miss this one. Porchlight’s “Little Shop” is a Gas!
PHOTO | Kyle Flubacker
Porchlight Music Theatre
presents
Little Shop of Horrors
The Biograph Theater
2433 N. Lincoln Avenue
through December 13, 2026
WEBSITE
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