“Top National Talent” with “Little Shop of Horrors” from the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre

The Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors marks the third time that director and choreographer Roger Welch has explored the danger lurking in Mr. Mushnik’s flower shop.

His first stage appearance was in a 1992 production in Coeur d’Alene, where he played the role of Seymour Krelborn. Twenty years later, again in Coeur d’Alene, he directed a production of the comedy/horror rock musical.

And now he’s back in the director’s chair, this time at the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, where he served as artistic director for twenty years until 2013. Welch’s first show back with the company was “The Sound of Music” last season.

“I really love this show,” he said. “It’s a show that people really enjoy. It’s funny. There’s great music. The characters are interesting and really delightful.”

“Little Shop of Horrors” features music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. The musical is loosely based on the 1960 film of the same name by Charles B. Griffith.

Following the success of its off-Broadway debut in 1982, the musical was adapted into a film in 1986. It starred Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia and Steve Martin, and featured Levi Stubbs as the voice.

The musical is about the nice but shy Seymour Krelborn (David Eldridge), who works for the moody Mr. Mushnik (Erik Contzius) in a run-down flower shop together with Audrey (Amy D’Orazi), on whom he has a crush. However, Seymour cannot share his feelings with Audrey because her boyfriend Orin Scrivello (John Adkinson) mistreats him.

After a sudden solar eclipse, Seymour discovers a large plant resembling a Venus flytrap, which he names Audrey II (Michael Reed). Despite his care and attention, Audrey II fails to thrive. After pricking his finger on a rose thorn and watching Audrey II’s pod open, Seymour realizes that the plant thrives on blood.

As Audrey II grows, Seymour and the flower shop become more popular than ever. While keeping the reason for Audrey II’s growth a secret, Seymour must figure out how to satisfy the plant’s need for blood while protecting himself, his beloved Audrey, and the rest of the world.

Throughout the show, the omniscient Greek chorus consisting of Crystal (Michaelyn Oby), Chiffon (Tatiana Bahoque) and Ronette (Brianni Justice) provides commentary.

Three puppeteers – Paul Sciarrio, Hannah Hopkins and Declan Sheehan – bring Audrey II to life. The musical direction of “Little Shop of Horrors” is by Scott Michaelsen, and the stage direction is by AJ Somerville.

The musical starts on Friday9 August and runs through August 18 at the Schuler Performing Arts Center in Boswell Hall at North Idaho College.

Like Welch, Eldridge has previous experience at the flower shop, playing a street bum and Skip Snip in the Aspire Community Theatre production’s debut season.

Eldridge enjoyed his time in this production and said Seymour Krelborn was a dream role, so auditioning for the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre production was a no-brainer.

“He’s perfect,” Welch said. “He’s exactly right for the role. He’s very talented and very funny and has great comedic timing.”

Although Seymour seems like the brains behind the business, it’s Audrey II who calls the shots at the flower shop. To bring the character to life, the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre production uses five Audrey II puppets, one for each growth stage, made by a designer at the University of Idaho.

Before the actors received the puppets towards the end of rehearsal, they rehearsed with various prototypes and props, including a crocodile head, as a stand-in. Eldridge said the switch from props to real puppets was a little jarring, but it made the show feel more realistic.

“You work with skeletons and you get the real skeleton, and it completely changes the show,” he said. “It’s like, ‘OK, now we’re doing it.'”

Welch and Eldridge were also drawn to Little Shop of Horrors because of the variety of musical numbers in the show, including rock and roll, calypso and gospel. Welch called “Suddenly, Seymour” and “Somewhere That’s Green” among the best duets and ballads in musical theater, respectively.

“I’m really excited about what our music director Scott did with the orchestra pit, because it’s a really small orchestra pit,” Eldridge said. “There are only four pieces, maybe five, but there’s a keyboard part and they did a lot with the percussion and keyboard to make it sound cool and interesting. And then the guitar parts, which add a level of grunge that maybe isn’t typical for the show, and that I really like to hear.”

In addition to the wide range of musical genres and the Audrey II puppetry, Welch says audiences can expect something special from the cast alone, as the actors have made Little Shop of Horrors their full-time job and are rehearsing eight hours a day for the premiere.

“This cast is incredible,” he said. “Every one of them is a top-notch national talent. They are absolute professionals and it’s like watching a Broadway production.”