AUBURN — “Little Shop of Horrors,” sometimes called a horror comedy rock musical, comes to the Community Little Theatre stage in a “re-imagined” production under the direction of Vincent Ratsavong.

It’s a quirky mix of entertainment ranging from science fiction and horror films to girl-group pop music styles of the ’60s.
Opening night is Friday, April 15, and it runs through Sunday, April 24. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $12 for children, 12 and under.
The play takes place in a seedy Skid Row locality of a city. Seymour Krelborn (played by Michael Litchfield) is an unlucky young man who’s employed at a run-down florist shop owned by cranky Mr. Mushin (Jason Pelletier). Seymour is secretly in love with Audrey (Christine Gill), his pretty, blond co-worker who is stuck in an abusive relationship with Orin Scrivello (Derrick Lacasse), a sadistic dentist.
While Mr. Mushnik is shopping for new floral products, an unusual plant resembling a venus flytrap comes into his possession under mysterious circumstances during a solar eclipse.
The plant, under Seymour’s care, grows extremely rapidly and becomes a major attraction that could turn the shop’s fortunes around. In honor of his beloved Audrey, Seymour names it Audrey II.
He accidentally discovers that Audrey II can speak, and the raunchy plant demands a diet of blood and human flesh … more and more as it grows out of control.
Stefanie Lynn, assistant director, said Ratsavong’s version of “Little Shop of Horrors” incorporates plenty of imaginative costuming and choreography. She said much of the production’s style will echo the look of Tim Burton’s movies that featured extremes of makeup and lots of spirals and stripes.
Four singers present a prologue and other songs in rock-and-roll, doo-wop, and early Motown styles, and they offer musical commentary throughout the play. Named for popular girl groups, they are Ronette (Lindsey Cagney), Chiffon (Felicia McLeod) and Crystal (Kay Warren).
The plant is also a principal character, and it’s voiced by Rebecca Singer. Puppetry and manipulation of the plant are handled by Riley McCurdy.
Other denizens of Skid Row are played by Abigail Hart, Sophie Wood, Cheyenne Dulac, Maxwell Draper, Ricky Brewster and Christi Belanger.
Music is by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman. Their work is well known in several Disney hits.
Songs in this show include “Skid Row (Downtown),” “Ya Never Know,” Somewhere That’s Green,” “Feed Me (Git It),” “Suppertime,” and the popular “Suddenly, Seymour.”
Since it opened off-Broadway in 1982 for more than 2,000 performances spanning five years, “Little Shop of Horrors” has garnered plenty of praise and legions of followers. It’s produced continually by regional, community and amateur groups.
Show times for “Little Shop of Horrors” are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, April 15, and 16, and Thursday, April 21, as well as Friday and Saturday, April 22, and 23, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays, April 17, and 24.
Performances are at the Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn.
For tickets call the box office at 783-0958 or go online to www.laclt.com.

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