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Earlier this year, the film adaptation of the Broadway musical of Mean Girls premiered in theaters. That musical was, of course, based on Tina Fey's very non-musical original film (which itself was influenced by Rosalind Wiseman's non-fiction book) released in 2004. Film to musical to film again, and round and round we go.
This content churn between Hollywood and the Great White Way is nothing new, as evidenced by the now-classic American musical Little Shop of Horrors, a production of which is on now through November 17 at Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. A B-movie of the horror comedy vein, The Little Shop of Horrors premiered in 1960, the brainchild of director Roger Corman and writer Charles B. Griffith. That film featured most of what we know of today's stage show, though by the time it premiered off-Broadway in 1982 with music and lyrics/book by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, the plot had been transformed into more of a comedy and less of a detective thriller.
And of course, that production was adapted (by Ashman) a few years later into the 1986 film version starring Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, Ellen Greene and more; directed by Frank Oz, it's become a cult classic in the years since and the stage musical has been revived time and time again in New York, the West End and in regional theaters across the country.
In Skokie this month, Kyle A. Dougan directs a thoroughly enjoyable if relatively paint-by-numbers staging of the story of socially awkward Seymour (Jimmy Hogan), a flower shop assistant who mysteriously comes into possession of a peculiar plant he names the Audrey II, after his coworker and the object of his affections, Audrey (Kayla Shipman). Seymour soon learns that his new botanical discovery doesn't thrive on sunshine or plant food, at least none of the ordinary kind. Audrey II wants blood, and a lot of it. As the rarity of the plant brings Seymour and the flower shop more and more notoriety, its appetite becomes nearly insatiable, leading Seymour to take bigger and bigger risks to be able to feed it.
The show has always been a bit of an odd duck the way it combines levity and wit with a science-fiction storyline and more gruesome elements like domestic violence and murder. Rife with foot-tapping mid-century rock music and more than a touch of kitsch throughout, there's plenty of fun to be had even as things get dark, and this production does well to remember that. North Shore's intimate 300-seat North Theater is transformed into Skid Row, where a single set serves as the street, Mushkin's Flowers (the shop where Seymour works) and at one point, a dentist's office. In other words, scenic designer Shane Cinal does a lot with a little.
The cast is in the same boat, as this is far from a school production making room for all their budding actors as extras around town. Only seven cast members (plus the Voice of Audrey II) comprise the entire ensemble, with Sam Nachison doing the most as Audrey's POS boyfriend Orin Scrivello and many, many other bit parts (and really, perhaps he's spread too thin; he's easily the weakest link in this otherwise quite strong cast). Even Hogan and Shipman eventually do double duty in the show's final number, but that's better experienced than spoiled here. The real heroes of any Little Shop production are the three "street urchins" who doo-wop their way through the show as back-up singers in practically every number. Here, that's China Orr as Crystal, Michaela Dukes as Ronette and Kiana Beverly as Chiffon, and they are a winning trio. Kudos to costume designer Rachel M. Sypniewski for keeping those gals dressed well throughout; they must go through at least a dozen quick changes.
Judging by their 2024 season (and what's to come in 2025), Music Theater Works isn't a company interested in taking risks—and that's not a criticism. It's quite a treat to have a roster of well-produced, talent-packed, classic American musicals just a hop, skip and a jump outside the city (I'll be making a note to check out Guys and Dolls next year). Nevertheless, a certain patina of community theater realness permeates this particular production (which, again, isn't necessarily a criticism). It's an endearing reminder that while this is very good theater, we are just in the Chicago suburbs after all. At the performance I saw, for example, Nachison dealt masterfully with a regrettable gaffe when his gas mask popped off during a pivotal scene where the whole point is that he can't get it off. A big deal? Not at all. But not nothing.
As books become films become musicals become films and on and on, the criticism is often that there are no new, original ideas out there. But it could also be said that all these adaptations mean we as the audience get to consume our favorite stories in whichever medium we prefer. And in the case of Little Shop of Horrors, the version on stage now is a delightful way to enjoy this familiar, fun show.
Little Shop of Horrors by Music Theater Works continues at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, through November 17. Running time is 2 hours and 15 minutes including one intermission. Tickets are $19.50 - $106.
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