Porchlight’s ‘Little Shop Of Horrors’ Is A Darkly Delightful Musical Treat

With standout performances, clever staging, and a larger-than-life plant that keeps growing into the spotlight, Porchlight Music Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors brings fresh personality to a beloved musical, balancing its catchy score and offbeat humor with the darkly comic spirit that makes the story extra fun.

Little Shop of Horrors is a timeless musical. Whether you know it from the film or the stage, it’s one of those productions that comes up in conversation and is instantly recognizable. With the film celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, there’s no better time to experience the stage version. The two have some significant differences, and anyone who has seen both likely has an opinion about them. Now, you can join the conversation, too.

“For more than four decades, this Tony Award-winning musical has delighted millions of fans around the world with the funny and frightening story of the shy shop assistant, his coworker crush and a mysterious, and carnivorous, plant. Written by the powerhouse team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin), Little Shop takes audiences on a wild trip where love and world domination meet at a Skid Row floral shop.”

Directed by Michael Weber, this new production of Little Shop of Horrors at Porchlight Music Theatre is spectacular. The choreography is sharp, the voices and character portrayals are right on point, and the sets and costumes bring the world of Skid Row to life with personality and style.

With numbers like “Skid Row,” “Suddenly Seymour,” “Dentist!,” and “Feed Me (Git It),” the ensemble delivers one memorable number after another, all in lockstep with the show’s darkly campy spirit. Whether it’s Adam Fane creating fully fleshed-out bit characters beyond his portrayal of the sadistic Dr. Orin Scrivello, Alina Taber’s Audrey having a film noir moment as she senses something isn’t quite right, or Andrew Linden dramatically removing his glasses as Seymour has a flash of Clark Kent-to-Superman, every cast member shines both individually and as part of the ensemble.

The primary setting is Mushnik’s flower shop on Skid Row, surrounded by tall buildings with exposed brick and upper-level windows where the Urchins appear to sing down to the street. A neon Skid Row sign welcomes you into the neighborhood, while the front wall of the shop moves away to reveal everything inside the small business. Outside, trash cans and wooden boxes provide gathering places for the homeless characters and the Urchins. When the setting shifts to the dentist’s office, the white signage has blood splatters, keeping consistent with the theme. There are also some clever details throughout, including an analog wall clock that changes time with a fist pounding on the cashier’s table and a recurring use of red in the costumes, hair bows, and lighting.

Audrey II’s various iterations are a treat in their own right. As a small plant, it sits on the countertop, happily accepting drops of blood into its welcoming mouth. It then grows into a larger version that takes a swipe at powerhouse dancer Kiana Beverly’s Crystal’s behind while being held by Seymour, eventually becoming so large that its roots spill into the shop windows because there’s simply no more room. Puppeted by Josh Bernaski and voiced by a mischievous Juwon Tyrel Perry, Audrey II is every bit as much a character as the people sharing the stage with it.

Little Shop of Horrors is a classic show with phenomenal music and charming characters – and all of that is highlighted in this production. Whether you’re returning to Skid Row for another visit or discovering this little shop for the first time, Porchlight’s production is a reminder of just how much fun a great musical can be.

And don’t leave before the curtain call! Juwon Tyrel Perry delivers a finale performance of “Mean Green Mother From Outer Space” that is not to be missed.

Little Shop of Horrors runs for approximately 1 hour 40 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. It is recommended for ages 12 and up, but younger ages will be able to appreciate it along with a conversation.

Little Shop of Horrors is playing at the Biograph Theater through 12/13/2026. Tickets can be purchased through the Porchlight Music Theatre website. Biograph Theater is located at 2433 N. Lincoln Ave in Chicago.