Little Shop Of Horrors at Citadel Theatre Company

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...Citadel Theatre's season-opener musical about the plant that everyone loves to hate delivers a knockout punch for an entertaining evening or afternoon. From the moment one walks into the theater, Scenic Designer Eric Luchen's slightly cockeyed set indicates that something screwball is about to happen. (He is assisted by Scenic Artist David Geinosky.) Cindy Moon's costumes are almost cartoonish but never over the top, evoking a mash-up of sixties-through-eighties fashion trends. Particularly clever is her evolution the of costumes of three girl trio, Chiffon, Crystal and Ronette, who start out poor on "Skid Row" (just as flower shop employee Seymour does), and then become a sort of Greek chorus as Seymour's fortunes improve. Starting out the show in schoolgirl plaid, they evolve into matching gowns a la the Supremes. Moon makes sure to tweak the costumes in some way for each chorus member so that she is distinct."

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...Citadel Theatre, under the capable artistic direction of Scott Phelps, keeps producing some of the most consistently enjoyable musical, comic and dramatic productions to be found in Chicagoland. Just in time for Halloween, audiences of all ages will definitely eat up this playful, professional production of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s clever, captivating science fiction musical fare. An exciting, expertly crafted and creatively directed production, “Little Shop of Horrors” is sure to be remembered and talked about 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, audiences will leave the show with four words throbbing in their brains: Don’t Feed the Plants!"

Chicago Theater and Arts - Recommended

"...Director Matthew Silar, production manager Ellen Phelps and scenic designer Eric Luchen have magically figured out how to innovatively cram scenery that includes a skid row tenement stairway, a flower shop, dentist's office and a growing-by-the-minute voracious plant with evil intentions into Citadel's miniscule space."

Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended

"...I may have a slight obsession with the Alan Menken classic "Little Shop of Horrors." I've attended live productions of the musical sensation several times in my life, I performed in it once, and I've choreographed various numbers for the stage. And of course, my children and I are big fans of the 1986 flick starring America's favorite nerd, Rick Moranis. The musical is wrought with hilarious one-liners, doo-wop beats that you simply can't resist tapping your toes to, and an unimaginably creative storyline."

BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended

"...This production was very well done considering the size of the theater and no orchestra. Front row patrons are within inches of touching the actors. This was a great ensemble working together flawlessly - including the Audrey II puppet - under the superb direction of Matthew Silar. This story is a comedy, drama and a bit creepy. There's a love story and also a lesson about wanting fame and fortune and what someone might go through to get it."