Flora Fatale and Doo-Wop? Do Go!

Beware the Venus fly trap. It can sing, it can schmooze, and it’s very hungry. Don’t believe me? Check it out at latest production of .

Yes, the infamous fly trap, rumored to have mutated from a genetic lab experiment between a Sesame Street puppet and a Mylar balloon, has landed in Moorpark to torment Seymour, eat people, sing rock and roll and raise general horticultural havoc.

And the best part is, just for your enjoyment, the actors are all locally grown and consumed right before your eyes on a Moorpark stage.

The Arts Center seems to have had a kismet convergence this time around—good acting, good singing, good stage production. Not to mention the enjoyable presence of a very lifelike Audrey Two (courtesy of Swazzle in Glendale), and some rousing doo-wop rock and roll. What’s not to like?

The actors playing Seymour (Nikko Arce), Audrey (Veronica Dunne) and Mushnik (Dale Alpert) are all capable singers and actors. Even more important, they’re funny—especially Dunne doing her best Marilyn Monroe-Betty Boop impression.

The show kicks off with the Ronettes—sounding a bit like the Chiffons—who may be street urchins, but at least they can sing and shake a little skirt. They show their wares with some good harmonies, especially during the opening numbers “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Skidrow.”

While Arce and Alpert bounce back and forth between singing and schtick, Dunne has a gentle soprano voice hiding behind that thick New York accent. It shines brightest during her wonderful solos, “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Sominex/Suppertime,” her last deadly encounter with Audrey Two.

Yes, we’re dealing with sci-fi and comedy, nothing too serious, but there seems to be a longing in these songs that pushes everything else into the background. Call it an instinctive human need for love, beauty and space.

Maniacal dentists are not usually known for their sense of humor. Remember Marathon Man? Then again, has there ever been a dentist like Orin Scrivello, DDS (John Tedrick)? Tedrick manages to steal more than his fair share of scenes, particularly during his laughing gas demise. The man’s a terrible dentist, but he knows how to die funny.

Other song highlights include Audrey Two’s great lusty solo, “Git It,” Seymour’s declaration of love to Audrey, “Suddenly Seymour,” and the rousing “Finale,” in which, thanks to some great American ingenuity and marketing, Audrey Two takes over the world.

But the real stars of the show are the various puppet versions of Audrey Two, ranging from tiny plant to gigantic man (and woman) eating monster. This is pulled off via the voice of Kelly Green and the puppeteer skills of Mark Keaton. Thanks to them, Audrey Two succeeds in being both menacing and darkly humorous. An alien tempter whose voice is part huckster, part showman, part blues, Audrey Two in this production is a bright beacon of hungriness.

The show itself rolls smoothly with only minor hiccups. The HSAC seems to have increased its mic capabilities among the actors, allowing for better quality of sound. As is normal with electronic technology, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s better to have than not have. This show proves that premise. Better lighting. Better sound. A much better production.

Great music, good acting and a neon people-eating plant—sounds like a strange combination, but the magic is there and HSAC’s version of Little Shop is so entertaining, you should take the risk. Okay, so there’s blood, lust, violence and more blood. So what? Just hang back while Audrey eats his dinner and you won’t get hurt.

Hey, it’s rock and roll. What do you expect? It’s called Little Shop of Horrors for good reason. You were thinking what, Sesame Street? Uh-uh. Feed me, baby.

Little Shop will be at the HSAC Fridays through Sundays through Nov. 13. For ticket information, visit the High Street Arts Center website or call 805-529-8700.