Hale's 'Little Shop of Horrors' is warm, funny

"LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS," Hale Center Theater Orem, through Nov. 21 (801-226-8600); running time: 2 hours (one intermission)

OREM — It may be hard to believe that a show centered on a bloodthirsty plant can be so genuinely warm and funny, but Hale Center Theater's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" is just that.

It's lively, enjoyable and clips along at a good pace.

The characters are colorful, genuine and likable — even the abusive boyfriend/dentist who enjoys inflicting pain and the plant Audrey II, which all too quickly becomes a demanding master.

The dialogue is witty. The set, which starts out looking like a trash alley (as it should), becomes wonderfully colorful.

Costuming is spot-on, except for one wardrobe malfunction that could have become a real problem but didn't.

Sound and lighting is very well-handled with some fun elements, such as the faces in the flashlight scene.

Some careful casting has produced a show that's a bit different than the usual.

Instead of a skinny, geeky Seymour Krelborn, you have a short, stout lad (Christian Busath) who is funny just walking on the stage. Add a talent for line delivery and humor, and it makes for a nice change in the cast makeup.

In addition, Jason Tatom is a large-size Mr. Mushnik, who adds some nice bluster to the owner of Mushnik's Skid Row Florist shop.

The high-pitched, ditzy, red-headed Audrey is played with heart and wide-eyed sweetness by Hailey Smith on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. (Korianne Orton Johnson plays the role on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.)

Darick J. Pead plays Skip Snip (Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays) with a nice blend of Elvis, the Fonz from "Happy Days" and the dentist from hell. He's double-cast with Bobby Swenson.

The doo-wop singers — Mackenzie Seiler, Kandyce Marie Gabrielsen and Clotile Bonner (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) — add greatly to the show. Not only is their singing terrific, but they pick up the show in places that are often slow in other productions.

Audrey II is another standout as she grows from a sweet little Venus flytrap to a huge, lip-smacking carnivore.

Suzy Greenwood-Fox does a nice job as the voice of Audrey II and is helped out by Cory Stephens, who takes on the body movement.

There's a lot to enjoy in this show, from the music, to the romance between Seymour and Audrey to the seductive takeover by Audrey II.

It would work for youngsters 10 and up, as a date night and as a precursor to Halloween.

And, hey, if you're brave enough, you can even take home your own Audrey II for $10.

e-mail: haddoc@desnews.com