Setting up ‘Shop’ Penobscot Theatre gets ready to plant a musical kiss on the community with a personal cult favorite, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

It was 9 o’clock on a Tuesday evening, and Monette McKay, Heather Astbury and Christie Robinson strutted onstage at the Bangor Opera House during a rehearsal for “Little Shop of Horrors,” the Penobscot Theatre Company’s new musical, set to open in previews tomorrow. They were in jeans and T-shirts that night, but in spirit they were diva-ed out as street urchins Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon, who serve as the show’s chorus.

Director Nathan Halvorson watched them move, all popping hips, snapping fingers and oh-no-you-didn’t head shakes that he personally choreographed. Costume designer Lex Liang, however, pictured the girls in the glittering purple dresses that he designed for that one scene. He loves those dresses. He wants to see more of them.

“Those dresses are only in the show for four minutes,” said Liang, with a note of disappointment in his voice.

“But those four minutes are fierce,” interjected Halvorson, using his favorite adjective. “They’re fierce!”

The PTC’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is a razor-sharp, zany comedy that’s true to the cult favorite original, while putting its own spin on some key elements. Halvorson and PTC producing artistic director Scott R.C. Levy both have strong connections to the show – it has followed them throughout their careers.

“It’s the first show I ever saw in New York City, so it holds a special place in my heart,” said Levy, who plays the cranky, kvetching flower-shop owner, Mr. Mushnik, in the show. “My parents took me to the Orpheum Theatre on Eighth and Second avenues. I remember it vividly. It’s a show that’s followed me throughout my life, and there are so many people who have that connection as well.”

“It’s a little nerve-wracking. It’s so iconic, because people have seen the movie, and seen high schools do it, and have an idea of it already formed,” said Halvorson. “I want to keep the original energy of it, but still keep it creative and fresh and original.”

In a nutshell – or a mouthful, if you will – “Little Shop of Horrors” is about Seymour Krelborn (played by the sweet-natured, goofily charming New Yorker David Perlman), a mild-mannered flower-shop clerk in a run-down neighborhood, who one fateful day buys an exotic-looking plant from a Chinatown shop. Let’s just say he gets way, way more than he paid for with the plant, whom he christens Audrey II, after his fellow shop clerk Audrey (Gretchen Bieber, another New Yorker), with whom he’s quite smitten.

“A lot of people think it’s just some silly, campy little show. But really, it’s about greed and power and insecurity,” said Halvorson. “What will you do if someone offers you the world? We have this leading character [Seymour] who’s basically a big throbbing heart, and he chooses to do bad things to get what he wants. It’s a real comment on our society, that’s so obsessed with fame and money. People will do anything to get it.”

Dominick Varney plays Orin Scrivello, the psychotic dentist boyfriend of Audrey. Think about Fonzie from “Happy Days,” and then think about Dennis Hopper’s character in the David Lynch film “Blue Velvet,” and you’ll get a sense of where he’s coming from. He also plays about 15 other bit parts in the show, from a flasher during the “Skid Row” scene to a parade of sleazy salesman during “The Meek Shall Inherit.”

“Orin is the most fun, because he’s the least like me. I don’t think he’s psychotic. I think he’s misunderstood,” said Varney, with a sly grin. “He wants to be happy, and he’ll do anything to be happy. If that means putting people through incredible pain, so be it.”

But while Varney relishes the chance to inhabit so many character, a big part of his enjoyment is working with his fellow cast and crew members – especially Halvorson.

“Part of my fun is Nathan’s passion for the show. It’s contagious,” said Varney. “His mannerisms are so full of energy and ideas. He’s so excited about it. He eats, sleeps and breathes this show.”

“I’m so thrilled we’re doing it,” said Halvorson. “We’ve never done a big musical comedy here. We did ‘Falsettos’ last year, which was a serious drama musical. With this, we’re talking sparkly dresses and boas and high heels. It’s so fun to do that here.”

For Ben Layman, a longtime area actor, the opportunity to supply the voice of Audrey II is a dream come true. When he talks about it, he gets all worked up. When you hear him sing during the show, you’ll understand why he’s been waiting for this part all his life.

“The movie came out when I was 12. I didn’t know anything about musical theater at the time. My dad dropped me off at the movie theater, and I made him take me three more times after that,” said Layman. “It’s been my dream to be the voice of Audrey II my whole life. I basically begged Scott to audition. It’s a meaty, horrible role and I love it.”

But Audrey II is a role played by two people: the voice, and the puppeteer. Allen Adams, most recently seen in Ten Bucks Theatre’s production of “Fawlty Towers, Part Duh,” was asked by Levy and Halvorson to operate the huge, grotesque plant puppets, on loan from a California puppeteer.

It’s a thankless gig, undergoing a rigorous cardio workout inside a sweaty, dark Venus fly trap puppet for half of the length of a theatrical production. That Adams had two weeks to learn the basics of Audrey II manipulation is a testament to both his talents and his upper-body strength.

“Truth be told, it’s a bit of a Johnny Bravo situation. I fit the costume. I’m game for it. I said I’d do it,” said Adams. “I’ll admit to being a little daunted. But it’s one of those things where it’s surprising how little you have to do in there to make it impressive. And it’s not a skill that many people have, being able to operate the Audrey II puppet. It’s very specialized.”

Gretchen Bieber plays the vulnerable, ditzy Audrey, who meets a rather unfortunate demise at the hands of the carnivorous creature that bears her name. Onstage, it looks like she’s being chomped by Audrey II. In reality, she’s diving into the puppet and emerging out the back, through Adams’ legs, as gracefully as she can. While in heels and a miniskirt.

Girl’s got skills.

“I get to be eaten,” said Bieber, who left the Broadway production of “Hairspray,” in which she understudied for the Velma and Amber roles, to come play Audrey. “It’s very Fay Wray and King Kong. It’s so fun.”

And that’s what this production of “Little Shop” essentially is – a whole lot of fun.

“We have such a devoted, energetic cast,” said Halvorson. “We’ve worked so hard. It’s been a blast. I cannot wait for people to see it. We haven’t had a big, fun musical in the Bangor Opera House in a long time, and I think people will really love it.”

“Little Shop of Horrors” opens in previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Bangor Opera House, and runs through Sunday, March 23, as well as the next weekend, March 27-30. For tickets and show times, call 942-3333 or visit www.penobscottheatre.org. Emily Burnham may be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.