[NEohioPAL] LAND OF CLEVE REVIEW: Cleveland Play House Grows a Garden of Devilish Delights in 'Little Shop of Horrors'

[Cleve Land via NEohioPAL]

LAND OF CLEVE REVIEW:
   Cleveland Play House
<http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-cleveland-play-house-grows.html>
          Grows a Garden
<http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-cleveland-play-house-grows.html>
      of Devilish Delights in
<http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-cleveland-play-house-grows.html>
<http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-cleveland-play-house-grows.html>
   'Little Shop of Horrors'
<http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-cleveland-play-house-grows.html>


What makes CPH's version of *Little Shop *so special is its attention to
detail. Not only does the storyline and the setting feel more intimate and
personal, but the inclusion of an all-girl band on stage keeps the momentum
of the play in constant motion. This is due to the creative vision
of director-choreographer-msuical director Amanda Dehnert, and the results
of her careful cultivation are impressive, indeed.

That's not the only that is constantly in motion. So is Audrey II, the
ever-growing plant at the center of all the diabolical doings. This genius
fly trap -- it talks! it sings! it plots murders! -- is usually built so
that the puppeteer inside is mostly working its mouth. But thanks
to Phantom Limb's unique soft-stem design, the preying plant grooves to the
beat and dances up a storm.

Providing the awesome accompaniment are five musicians who also embody
compelling characters and interact with the actors. They include associate
musical director Kate Ferber, Alanna Saunders, Hallie Bulleit, Brittany
Campbell, and Injoy Fountain.

The fact that the musicians and the performers work together to tell this
"terror"-ble tale illustrates how close the ensemble truly is. The cast all
feels like one big family, from Ari Butler's soft-spoken but spunky Seymour
to Larry Cahn's mensch-like mentor Mushnik, from Lauren Molina's spirited
and sexy Audrey to Joey Taranto's quintet of quirky characters. Even the
voice behind Audrey II, Eddie Cooper, is given well-deserved stage time as
he projects his powerful vocals from a booth behind the orchestra...

*READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE:*
*http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-cleveland-play-house-grows.html
<http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2016/01/cleve-review-cleveland-play-house-grows.html>*
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