"Little Shop of Horrors" presented by Center Theatre Group, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Steven Baruch, James D. Stern, Douglas L. Meyer, Rick Steiner, Daniel C. Staton, and Simone Genatt Haft, in association with Amy Danis/Mark Johannes at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Tue.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 & 7:30 p.m. (Also Thu. 2 p.m., Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & 14; and 8 p.m. Mon. Oct. 11). Aug. 29-Oct. 16. (213) 628-2772.

Familiarity doesn't always breed contempt. Director Jerry Zaks' Tony-nominated production, the first Broadway staging of this Off-Broadway classic, is like a cherished vehicle that's been pulled from the garage and spruced up with a shiny new coat of paint. It thankfully remains untarnished in this smashing touring edition. In re-creating an intimate show on a larger canvas, Zaks didn't misplace a single ounce of its campy charm. It all started as a 1960 non-musical horror film from schlock--master Roger Corman--featuring Jack Nicholson, no less. This inspired the 1982 Off-Broadway tuner, which was followed by Frank Oz's 1986 film adaptation of that version. Zaks reinvigorates this venerable material by virtue of stellar performances, wondrous special effects and design elements, and that rousing pop/r ock score by the Alan Menken/ Howard Ashman team (Beauty and the Beast).

The centerpiece for this zany sendup of low-budget horror flicks is the constantly growing man-eating plant, Audrey II, brought to amazing life with state-of-the-art puppetry from Martin P. Robinson and the Jim Henson Company, with Donald Holder's dazzling lighting effects enhancing the magic. Onstage helicopters and falling chandeliers can't hold a candle to the awe-inspiring stage wizardry seen here. And yes, human actors hold their own against the scene-stealing plant. The protagonist Seymour, a morally conflicted nebbish, is in the captivating hands of Anthony Rapp, who shares a showstopping chemistry with the radiant Tari Kelly as the self-deprecating heroine, Audrey. Both sing divinely. Kelly captures the squeaky-voiced naivete of this woebegone waif without mimicking Ellen Greene's indelible stamp on this role on stage and screen. Veteran trouper Lenny Wolpe brings a Borscht Belt flair to his take on kindly flower-shop owner Mushnik. The fabulous doo-wop Greek chorus (Amina S. Robinson, LaTonya Holmes, and Yasmeen Sulieman) belt out the Motown-styled narration with glee, the trio's efforts enhanced by Kathleen Marshall's witty choreography. James Moye does creditable work as the demented dentist and in a gallery of other small roles. Scott Pask's stylized sets and William Ivey Long's costumes are splendidly rendered, and conductor/music director Brent-Alan Huffman ensures a joint-jumping time. This Little Shop houses giant-size pleasures.

Copyright 2004 Back Stage