Displaying items by tag: Andrew Linden

Few musicals are as fun to sing (and watch) as “Little Shop of Horrors”. It’s not a huge surprise that Porchlight Music Theatre is christening their new home at the Biograph with a sure-fire crowd pleaser. Even better news is that their production directed by longtime Porchlight associate Michael Weber, lives up to the high standards they’ve always set for themselves.

Aside from the recent Halloweekend, why “Little Shop”? Why now? For starters, a revival of “Little Shop” has been running off-Broadway since 2019 and has endured the COVID-19 lockdowns and other obstacles. It’s hard to discount the demand, but if New York isn’t your bag, Chicago has something just as mean and green to offer.

Man-eating plant Audrey II is an unlikely allegory for AI, but somehow, it works seamlessly. When viewing “Little Shop” through the lens of capitalism, it’s more than B-movie flavored musical about an alien plant and more of a story about people choosing profit over extinction. In fact, the stage musical has a notably more nihilistic ending than the beloved 1986 film version.

Members of Porchlight's cast of Little Shop of Horrors at Biograph Theater. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

“Little Shop” has always offered companies an exciting challenge, and that is how to bring the talking, murderous plant to life. The puppets created by Jonathan Berg-Einhorn are animated hilariously by Josh Bernaski and Juwon Tyrel Perry. Let’s just say the puppet budget is noticeable and appreciated.

Porchlight isn’t just relying on staging alone, a talented cast of both non-equity and equity performers round out this glossy production. Alina Taber as Audrey brings a sort of Sarah Sherman of SNL vibe to the flighty floral assistant originated by Ellen Greene. Her quirky sense of comedic timing brings a new angle that makes some of the goofy humor seem fresh. Plus, she has the pipes to bring down the house with her soaring duet "Suddenly Seymour" alongside co-star Andrew Linden, whose earnest portrayal of Seymour Krelborn makes the number all the more affecting.

Linden is another great talent in this casts’ small but mighty arsenal. “Grow for Me” is always an ear worm, but Linden’s powerful voice ensures you won’t forget it. Though, he shines best in the choreo segments. Really though, the entire cast makes Ashman and Menken’s pre-Disney musical numbers leap off the stage.

If it’s been a while, or you’ve never seen a stage production of “Little Shop”, it would be hard to beat Porchlight’s production without boarding a flight to New York. The change of scenery feels like a big step up for one of Chicago’s foremost storefront musical theatre companies. The historic Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park is a space more fitting to the caliber of work Porchlight is known for. And it’s nice to see lights on again at the Biograph which was temporarily shuddered. Halloween might be over, but the AI era, spooky season is now forever, so it’s the perfect time to revisit the 1950s doo-wop fun of “Little Shop of Horrors”.

Through December 13 at Porchlight Music Theatre at Biograph Theater. 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. 773-777-9884