Displaying items by tag: Will Lidke

I’ve probably said this before — the sheer volume of shows we here in Chicago have on offer makes me count my lucky stars whenever I enter a theater, be it for an opulent touring production or for a more intimate local performance. But it’s always the latter for which I feel even more blessed — that I am, that we all are, privileged to witness the variety and virtuosity of talented artists who ply their trade around town. And no show has left me smiling more widely, tapping my toe as hard, humming along as loud, and feeling more blessed to be a witness to Chicagoland’s theater scene as Theo Ubique’s current production of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask’s now-classic Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Entering the Theo Ubique Cabaret for this show, you enter the show’s world immediately — a bar and a black box, both — as the tools of a rock band’s trade sit onstage and colorful and off-color and culturally significant graffiti decorates the walls around it. Along with the earplugs offered at the door, Colt Frank’s simple but striking set lets you know you’re in for an evening of rock ‘n’ roll, and the best kind, to boot — the kind that’ll piss off those it’s supposed to and provoke those it’s meant for.

And an evening of rock ‘n’ roll it was! Will Lidke, headlining the show and fronting its band The Angry Inch, turns what was an Off-Broadway and Broadway musical about a rock frontwoman’s concert into said concert. Lidke’s got the posture, the preening, and the pipes to pull it off, too. Strutting on heels, flashing his fishnets, and flaunting wig after wig (all of them designed by Keith Ryan), Lidke’s Hedwig is transfixing from start to finish, equal parts Transformers-era Lou, Ziggy-era Bowie, and East German derelict and diva. He tears things apart on numbers like “Tear Me Down” and “Sugar Daddy,” breaks our hearts with “Wicked Little Town,” and makes us all a part in the singalong “Wig in a Box.” I kept thinking to myself, what I’d give to see Lidke front a band in a small rock club, and then I’d realize, I’m getting to see that right here at Theo Ubique!

Equally stage-worthy is Jacob Gilchrist (AKA Mikki Miraj), who plays Hedwig’s first husband as well as her backup singer on our side of the Berlin Wall/cabaret stage. Each time we were graced with Gilchrist’s enthusiastic song and dance, I’d think they’d be someone I’d love to see fronting a band, too. And wouldn’t you know it — by show’s end my wish came true when Gilchrist came out as Hedwig’s one-time understudy in life, rock star Tommy Gnosis.Lidke and Gilchrist are joined by a ridiculously talented cast and band. As Hedwig’s spouse and sidekick Yitzhak, Brittney Brown shows she’s got perhaps the best voice of the bunch. And as Hedwig’s Berlin mutter and his backup singer East, Adriana Tronco keeps up with her castmates throughout.

And the whole shebang wouldn’t be a banging rock show without a killer rock band, The Angry Inch. Led by pianist and musical director Jeremy Ramey, these guys KILL. Guitarist Perry Cowdery gets things started by shredding “America the Beautiful.” Jakob Smith, also on guitar, switches between electric and acoustic as the mood requires. Joseph Drzemiecki brings the bong-rattling bass. And drummer Carlos Mendoza brings the beat.

So, if you want an intimate rock show, see Theo Ubique’s Hedwig. If you want to see a production of a musical that’s now hung around long enough to reach classic status, see Theo Ubique’s Hedwig. And if, like me, you just love being reminded what terrific talent our wicked little town’s blessed with, see Theo Ubique’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch from now through the end of July.

Catchy songs, hilarious characters and a man-eating plant. Little Shop of Horrors now playing at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook has it all. With music by Alan Menken that fall in the style of 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and Motown, we get a soundtrack that helps deliver this humorous story, perfectly enhancing writer Howard Ahsman’s vision into what became a stage and film sensation in the 1980s. Songs like "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour" are as kitschy as they come as are the characters in this far-fetched, but seriously funny story.

We find ourselves in a local plant and flower shop – “Mushnik’s”. Business is bad and owner Mr. Mushnik is not sure how he can hold on for very much longer. His two employees, Seymour and Audrey, stand around all day with nothing to do since there is – nothing to do. But Seymour has a secret. He has been experimenting in the shop’s basement on a plant that resembles a Venus Fly Trap. But it is no ordinary fly-eating plant, it is much larger and quite unusual looking. He finally brings the plant upstairs and suggests it be placed in the store window to possibly attract passersby’s. Mushnik scoffs at the notion but figures he has nothing to lose – and wouldn’t you know it, a man enters the store within minutes to purchase a hundred dollars’ worth of roses. The plant becomes a sensation as it gets larger and larger by the day, business is off the charts and everything seems rosy for the once struggling shop. But what makes the plant grow so quickly? We soon find out and a whole world of absurdity and suspense is opened. Twists and turns ahead, folks.

At the same time, Audrey seems to show up to work each day with a new injury. It is suspected that her boyfriend, a sadistic dentist, is to blame – and Seymour won’t have that. He has a crush on Audrey and has in fact named the plant Audrey Two. As the story progresses, it becomes crazier and crazier – silly but engaging. A trio of talented singers (Melanie Brezill, Candace C. Edwards and Melanie Loren) help narrate the story, also switching back and forth between roles.

Will Lidke is terrific as Seymour and is as nerdy as one could get in the role while Kelly Felthous as Audrey nails the squeaky-voiced, ditzy blonde stereotype, ala many a Marylin Monroe role. Both deliver great comedic moments and are truly fun to watch. Ron E. Rains is well cast as Mushnik and has plenty of key moments, as well. But it is Chicago acting veteran Steven Stafford who steals many of the scenes as the abusive dentist (also playing many other roles), displaying epic comedic line delivery and perfectly timed physical humor. The voice of the plant (yes, it talks – and sings) is beautifully done by Lorenzo Rush Jr. while Matthew Sitz takes on the tough task of bringing the plant to life.

A light, though twisted, story with a slew of laughs and one likeable song after another is the prefect way to kick off the Fall season. Together with brilliant direction and choreography by Scott Calcagno and musical direction by Roberta Duchak, the musical’s superb performances and an amazing set design do this funny classic the way it should be done.

Highly recommended.

Little Shop of Horrors is being performed at Drury Lane Theatre through October 28th. For tickets and/or more show information visit www.drurylanetheatre.com.