Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...So I for one would argue that the tawdry old "Little Shop of Horrors" is among the most important American musicals ever written. If you don't believe me, listen to "Somewhere That's Green," the sales clerk Audrey's aspirational ballad from "Little Shop," which you currently can hear at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, and then listen to "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid." Sure, Disney Disneyfied the aesthetics. But the guts are the same."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...They're serving up Attack-of-the-Killer-Tomato realness with a side of "Dr. Faustus" at the Drury Lane Theatre. You don't often see a production defined by a moral dilemma that would stump Solomon and an aesthetic that celebrates the wonders of B-Movie schlock. But that's what we have in "Little Shop of Horrors," directed and choreographed for the Oakbrook Terrace theater by Scott Calcagno."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...When it comes to musical comedy camp, "Little Shop of Horrors" is a masterpiece. Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace allows the brilliance of this 1982 off-Broadway hit to be savored once again in a solid and traditional revival."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...The diverse cast delivers the punchy storyline showing the haves and the have-nots and the hard-knock life of someone with an address that could be Any Slum, USA. Also, the physical abuse aimed at the sweet Audrey is yet another taboo theme that strikes a heavy chord amidst the giggles and dancing."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...The ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Director Scott Calcagno delivers with a night of fun, laughter and a particular taste of bloody delicacies with a stellar cast of actors. Leading the ensemble is the incredible pintsize powerhouse Kelly Felthous (Audrey). Felthous who makes you want to root for her and her dream to live a less painful life in the suburbs with furniture complete with plastic and frozen dinners ("Somewhere That's Green")."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Smoothly directed and choreographed by Scott Calcagno, the show grabs you in the first few minutes and locks you in for the entire two hours ( including 15 minute intermission). Kevin Depinet's flower shop is divine and very realistic as is his Skid Row. Lynda Myers does great costumes of the period and some extreme numbers for the ladies ( take that Supremes). The sound ( Ray Nardelli) and lighting ( Ryan O'Gara) along with the props (Cassie Schillo) are all perfect as are the musicians under the leadership of Chris Sargent at the Keyboard. As usual, the music direction is handled to perfection by Roberta Duchak. The show is suggested for ages 13 and up due to some strong language and a situation or two."
WTTW - Recommended
"...Director-choreographer Scott Calcagno's motor-driven, high volume production is full of talented performers, but he has set them in such unrelenting overdrive that the cartoonish aspect of the show sometimes obscures its heart. That said, Felthous winningly taps into the wistfulness of "Somewhere That's Green," and she and Lidke (as the lanky, hapless, conscience-stricken Seymour), enjoy a charming bit of romantic awakening in "Suddenly, Seymour." I only wish Seymour and Rains would have been led to tap into the hidden pathos in their song, "Mushnik and Son.""
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...It’s been a while since Chicago enjoyed such a lavish professional production of Menken and Ashman’s clever, captivating musical science fiction satire. It was well worth the wait. This exciting, expertly crafted and creatively directed production arrives just in time for Halloween and is sure to be remembered for years to come. It features some of Chicago’s finest talent performing at the top of their game. In addition to a thoroughly entertaining script and an unforgettable musical score, this musical will leave audiences with four words of warning: Don’t Feed the Plants!"
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Viewers should enjoy “Little Shop of Horrors,” no matter what their demographic group. Audiences who lived through the Roger Corman era should wallow in nostalgic pleasure. Younger attendees should still love the show, even if they hold no fond memories of the B movie sci fi thrillers their grandparents enjoyed. The fun transcends all generational barriers."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...In all, this is an impeccable production of many patrons’ favorite guilty pleasure of a show. So grab some tickets and head to Oakbrook Terrace. Perhaps Alan Menken will be seated just down the row."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Recommended
"...With Halloween 2018 on the horizon, "Little Shop of Horrors" plays into the spookiness of the season. The sort-of-dark musical comedy is now running at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. It's more spirited, shall we say, than scary."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...Little Shop of Horrors is a gloriously enjoyable show. Its fun, often frivolous lyrics contrast well with its darker side. Even its final message is simply a warning: "Don't feed the plants," which feels like the understatement of the century after watching Audrey 2 wreak its havoc for two hours. This production, as will any good one, runs with the camp, making the audience more involved. We never have a moment to question our laughter at such horror thanks to the great performances, and all that remains is our entertainment, which Little Shop provides nonstop. You might go home and take a second look at your houseplants, though; you never know what they might be plotting."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...‘Little Shop of Horrors’, now playing at Drury Lane in all its joyfully macabre and touchingly poignant splendor, is the product of the first collaboration of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken — an early ‘80s time capsule for the team who later developed Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ before the 40 year-old Ashman succumbed to AIDS in 1991. The Drury Lane incarnation, keenly directed and choreographed by Scott Calcagno with musical direction by Roberta Duchak, includes a top-notch company led by the captivating performances of Kelly Felthous and Will Lidke whose star-crossed love story — like just about everyone else — runs smack into the jaws of a ravenous leafy bottom feeder."
