Little Shop of Horrors”

Highly Recommended **** Live theater! It is back!  Thank you Metropolis Performing Arts Center!

Tonight, Frank and I visited Arlington Heights. First, to enjoy more of the menu items at LaTasca Tapas Restaurant at 25 West Davis Street, and then to the Metropolis “theatre” under the tent, just a few blocks away at Eastman and Evergreen. Another genius move to overcome the “Covid Crisis” and what a solid production!

Adjustments were made, and while it is not the comfortable seats and area of the actual Metropolis on Campbell Street, they have found a way to bring live entertainment back to the entertainment-starved populace. so again, thank you for being the first to take the plunge.

The tent is huge and open, except for the top, so we were well protected. The wind did play a part in chilling as the evening went on but the cast was so hot, I never noticed. “Little Shop Of Horrors” with a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, was their choice to start the new era of theater. The tent has a stage and I believe about 90 seats. The seats are certainly not as comfy as the actual theater, but since the play is under two hours with a 15 minute intermission, we were okay. The seats were set up in twos with plenty of space and I am sure they can easily adjust for parties of four. FYI: The bathrooms are porta-pottys, so be prepared!

On to the actual production- directed by Enrico Spada, there were a few adjustments to the normal way one sees this show done. The trio ( these are usually three ladies sort of like the Supremes) is composed of two ladies and a man. They are Lexie Baily, Selena Robinson and Yasir Muhammad. Great voices and range and all three keep the action alive and kicking. Instead of using one actor to do a number s small roles and another to play the Dentist, this cast has one actor playing all of the roles. Michael Metcalf is talented as can be, but I suggest that some of his changes be a little different ( a mustache, beard or wig) so as not to confuse the audience with his  “dentist”.

The plant, Audrey II, which is normally done with a large puppet and a strong voiced actor is in fact done by a human ( Breon Arzell is powerful) and Mr.Mushnik is handled b Khyel S. Roberson. Audrey, the love of Seymour’s life is deftly handled by Emile Rose Danno and Seymour by the incredible Mark Yacullo. The “Suddenly Seymour” number between them is powerful and quite dramatic!

I was very impressed by this cast, playing outdoors ( so to speak) and working with no on-sire musicians. The music was recorded and this cast never misseda cue or not. Not easy and when Arlington Heights Road traffic and a city parking garage are right there, even harder. They did it!

The set (Sam Gribben) and the sound (Adam Peak) were great. Lighting may have had a few problems, but Trey Brazeal did a great job. Jennifer Wernau handled the props (superb) and Megan Wood’s costumes were solid.

“Little Shop of Horrors” will continue thru June 19th ( I am sure it will warm up as the days go by) with performances:

Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Fridays 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  7:30 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

Tickets range are $40 and can be purchased by calling 847-577-2121 or visit wwwmetropolisarts.com

They do follow all CDC rules and regulations. They also have water bottles available at no charge.

You can easily reach Arlington Heights by train. There are plenty of great dining spots in walking distance from the train and the “tent/theater”.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Little Shop of Horrors”.