Appetizing ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Let’s say right at the top, “Little Shop of Horrors,” the Howard Ashman/Alan Menken musical about an insatiable man-eating plant, is not the stuff of happy little dreams.

But older offspring and adults hungry for a live version of the bloodthirsty spoof based on Roger Corman’s outrageous cult film, could do worse than the toothsome production that opened this week in Los Angeles, courtesy of the eclectic California Youth Theatre.

Staged and choreographed by Corky Dominguez, it’s not big budget, but it’s not poor on substance, either. Joanne McMaster’s painted and sharply angled Skid Row set revolves to become Mushnik’s seedy flower shop, which becomes less seedy as Audrey II’s monstrous appetites are satisfied.

Stephanie D. Brooks’ costumes capture the early ‘60s look. Audrey II was designed by the Fullerton College Theatre Arts Department, with further enhancement by Paul Pistore, Jeff Himmel, Colleen Devaney, Ron Lindblom and Don Dyke. It doesn’t disappoint. Its gaping, fanged maw swallows cast members with alarming ease; its final proportions nearly engulf the set.

William Hare, 21, offers vocal menace as the uncouth, foul-mouthed plant; Arthur Cruz, Jeff DiFranco and Christopher Lore operate the beast.

There were some technical problems opening night: The lights (designed by Richard Taylor and Light Waves) went out once unexpectedly, loud background music--bass, piano, keyboard, drums and guitar--at times muffled dialogue, and in one of Audrey II’s earlier incarnations, a patch of the operator’s bare and hairy leg could be spotted.

Despite some unevenness and a hint of “let’s-put-on-a-show,” the evening never drags; as long as the voices are there, it’s hard to go wrong with this brash musical. From the moment a remarkably young-looking wino (Hare again) and the sassy Greek chorus--Ronnette (Sharnell Robbins, Crystal (Brooks) and Chiffon (Shawnta Walker)--romp into the “Little Shop of Horrors” prologue, the show’s good-time promise is fulfilled.

Kimberly Kelley, 20, a slender beauty with a lovely voice, is too classy to make Audrey a believable dimwit--she opts for vulnerability, putting real pathos into the wistful “Somewhere That’s Green.” Michael Weiner, 16, has Seymour’s nerdy look, but had to relax into the part opening night, gaining physical and vocal strength as the show went on. By the time his “Suppertime” duet with Audrey II rolled around, he was cooking.

Martin Smollin was a surprise hit as Arthur Denton, the masochistic foil to Christopher Lore’s sadistic dentist. Smollin is only 13.

Yes, the diverse cast is young. But many are seriously pursuing theatrical careers; some already have stage and screen credits. And they, and the audience, benefit from the experience of the professionals who stage CYT’s shows.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is just the latest in a long list of adult fare that this company has unabashedly tackled, with varying success, from “Cyrano” to Shakespeare. Peter Weiss’ “Marat/Sade” will be its second show this summer. Whew.

“Little Shop of Horrors,” California Youth Theatre, 1068 S. Robertson Blvd., Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday matinees, 2:30 p.m. Ends Aug. 11. $15. (213) 657-3253. Running time: 2 hours.