“Little Shop of Horrors,” based on a 1960 film by director Roger Corman and writer Charles Griffith, comes to the Webster City Community Theatre stage this month under the direction of WCCT veteran Anne Blankenship.

It is her second time directing “Little Shop of Horrors” for the local stage.

“I was director when we did the show 34 years ago, and I was in it, too,” she said. “That is something I have not done since.”

Blankenship cannot hide her enthusiasm for this unique comedy that takes an often tongue-in-cheek look at life, death, and young love.

“I think there are so many cool themes in it,” Blankenship said. “There’s redemption; there’s feelings of hope, of despair, that you will never make something of yourself.”

But hope will prevail, even when horror comes to this delightful little shop with a most unusual plant who has a name of her own, Audrey II. Some of the themes explored seem to be constants in society.

“Some of the characters fall for greed and power — and we kind of see that in today’s society as well,” Blankenship said.

There is the fact, after all, that a few people die in this production. The type of death, well, let’s just say that it might not hurt to bring a little Round-Up to the show.

The cast is led by KeVon Edwards in the role of mild mannered shop clerk Seymour Krelborn and Amelia Oliver as Audrey, his beautiful love interest, whether or not she realizes it.

“These two have such great interaction on stage,” Blankenship said.

For Edwards, who for the last several years has taken on many jobs, including stage manager, at WCCT, this is his first performance in a leading role. Oliver, meanwhile, is a professional who has returned to her hometown in Webster City.

“Their voices blend just beautifully together and they are both very, very good,” Blankenship said.

The show also benefits from a sound system brought in just for this show, including a personal mic on each performer.

“It’s such a rich, full sound and it’s so well balanced,” she said. “I can’t say enough about the sound.”

Blankenship has nothing but praise for the entire cast, which includes; Sam Youngdale as Mr. Mushnik, Eric Heckert as Orin Scrivello, Karina Murray as Ronnette, Perla Torres as Crystal, and Meg Cain as Chiffon.

Katie Hildalh provides the voice of Audrey II, while Thomas Barnett helps bring the man-eating plant to life as a puppeteer. (Yes, there’s a man-eating plant and some unusual, but always humorous, horrors.)

Jeanette Tempel, Jennifer Rank, Abby Heckert, Evangeline Streigle, Tim Berven and Don Zompa round out the ensemble.

Along with Blankenship in the director’s chair, the production is led by Kerryn Oliver as music director and Lindsay Henderson as choreographer.

Live pit band returns

The production also benefits from the use of a live pit band with experienced local musicians.

“We haven’t done that in a number of years,” Blankenship said.

Eric Hanson, Josi Greenley, Kirk Greenley and Eric Greenley combine to bring their talents on the piano, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar and drum to the music that will be fun and reminiscent of the Motown era, according to Blankenship.

“It’s just a fun, fun show,” and the live music adds a greater dimension and depth to the show, she noted.

Saturday matinee offered

This week’s shows follow a traditional schedule with 7 p.m. shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday , along with a 2 p.m. show on Sunday.

The second weekend changes things up just a bit with no Sunday matinee, but with an additional show on Saturday. The schedule for the second weekend includes 7 p.m. shows on July 17, July 18, and July 19. For those who prefer a matinee, there will be a special performance at 2 p.m. July 19.

All tickets are $15 and are available at the WCCT box office, 1001 Willson Ave., or by calling 515 832-4456. Tickets can also be ordered online at the WCCT website.