Nina J.S. Ludwick

Fun carnivorous musical ‘Little Shop’ at ATI

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By John Lyle Belden

Despite the poshness of the city’s reputation, for the next couple of weekends, Carmel, Indiana, has a Skid Row.

Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” the popular musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken based on the classic horror film by Roger Corman.

It’s likely you are familiar with the story – a nerdy guy finds a weird houseplant that brings him instant fame, but it requires a very special (and gruesome) diet. If you know this from the 1986 film musical, know that the stage version has a few differences, as well as the original “Don’t Feed the Plants” ending. Other popular songs include “Dentist!” and “Suddenly Seymour.”

Joey Boos, a regular at Beef & Boards, makes his ATI debut as Seymour Krelborn in all his nebbish glory. Michaela McGarel, whom we recently saw in “Beehive,” is amazing as sweet, tragic Audrey. Mark Fishback plays the florist Mushnik, their impatient and frustrated boss. Jameelah Leaundra, Maya Mays, and Kayla Perry deliver harmony and guide the allegory as the Motown-inspired chorus.

Jathan Briscoe and Evangeline Bouw appear briefly in the beginning, then vanish to bring the alien flytrap Audrey II to life as voice and puppeteer, respectively. Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton nimbly plays all the other roles, most notably sadistic Orin Scrivello, DDS.

The director and choreographer is D.J. Salisbury, whose love of this musical shows through. The performances all hit the right tone for this campy romp with heart and a lot to say about ambition and what we are willing to do for our dreams.

The scenic design by Jay Ganz makes good use of the modest-sized Studio Theater, including movable walls that smooth the costume and set changes. Musical direction is by Nathan Perry. Stage manager is Nina J.S. Ludwick, assisted by Melissa A. Nathan. Kudos also to costume designer Guy Charles Clark, especially for the outfits in the final number.

As this posts, there are still tickets available for Halloween night. ATI’s “Little Shop of Horrors” runs through Nov. 8 at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. For info and tickets, go to atistage.org or thecenterpresents.org.

It’s no jive, ATI’s back in the ‘Hive’

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By John Lyle Belden

Actors Theatre of Indiana is buzzing again with the sound of a “Beehive” musical, opening its season with “Never Can Say Goodbye,” remembering the music of the 1970s.

Five of the six women from last year’s “Beehive: The ‘60s Musical” return: Rachel Dudt, Riley Francis, Michaela McGarel, Kayla Perry, and Kira Rangel, joined by Deborah Mae Hill, who was featured in last season’s “Sunset Boulevard” at ATI. Carol Worcel again directs, with musical direction by Ginger Stoltz.

Taking inspiration from the prior musical by Larry Gallagher, this edition is by Fred Stuart with George Luton. While the song selection for this revue gives emphasis to female performers, some songs – originally recorded by men – still feel like ones your Mom (or grandmother) sang along to with the radio back in the day. Whatever the source, as soon as you hear these hits, you can’t help but think of the era they came from.

To help put everyone in the Beehive mood, the ladies revisit the “Name Game” – with a bit  more funk. They take on various aspects of 1970s sound, from the country-rock feel of Linda Ronstadt to the punky pop of Blondie. For the mellow side, there’s a mashup of “First Time Ever I saw Your Face” and “You Light Up My Life” which works nicely.

At the end of the first act comes an excellent tribute to the classic rock band Heart, in which guitarist Bryan Hedrick steps forward into the fog-bathed spotlight. Worcel said this took some persuading, as the musicians prefer to stay in the background, but it came off great. And by the combined power and harmony of the women’s voices, they managed to evoke the legendary vocals of Ann Wilson.

The Beehive band, led by Stoltz, also included Gisele Dollinger, Chloe McManallen, Dave Paulson, Neil Broeker, Christian Starnes, Matt Greven, and Greg Wolff.

The second half of the show ranged from Motown to Country to Disco – as well as the “ooga-chaka” version of “Hooked on a Feeling” – with a couple of instances of bringing an audience member into the act.

Worcel noted after opening night that this was very much a collaborative effort to bring these songs so wonderfully to life. Aside from the cast, and Stoltz and the musicians, she acknowledged stage managers Nina J.S. Ludwick and Hadleigh Pierce.

An excellent evening (or Sunday matinee) of music and memories with an infectious feeling of funky fun, “Never Can Say Goodbye: The 70’s Beehive Musical” is in its second weekend, running through Sept. 20 in The Studio Theater of the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. For info and tickets, visit atistage.org or thecenterpresents.org.