By TIM KELLY
Prepare to be amazed.
According to stage veteran Michael Hartman, that is the only advice needed for audience members of the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
“The talent level is pretty epic,” said Hartman, Ocean City’s special events coordinator who volunteered with the OCTC in preparation for the show.
“It’s a fun show and is perfect for the Halloween season,” he said. It’s got a spooky feel to it.”
The show takes place 7:30 p.m. on two nights, this Friday and Saturday, at the Ocean City Music Pier, on the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace.
The OCTC productions often take place at smaller venues. The move to the Music Pier is an opportunity for more folks to see the quality of the OCTC productions, and for the theatre group to step up to a larger-than-usual audience.
Tickets are priced at $15 each and are available by calling 609-399-6111 or visiting the website www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
The sci-fi musical farce, one of the longest running off-off Broadway and off-Broadway shows in history, enjoyed wide mainstream success in 1986 when it was adapted for a film starring Rick Moranis. It’s the story of a nerdy flower shop employee who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh.
The show is the creation of the legendary team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the minds behind such Disney powerhouse musicals as the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.
While “Little Shop” has enjoyed more of a cult following compared to those other hits, it has endured for a reason.
“It’s really an entertaining show, and the music is great,” said Hartman.
The show tunes are a mix of rock, R&B, doo-wop and gospel, giving the show a rollicking feel with something for everyone.
The story, too, is a fun one with the meek Seymour Krelborn, played by Ocean City High student Eric Wagner, nurturing his new breed of plant while he pines for his secret crush, flower shop co-worker Audrey, as portrayed by Ruby Doran, an Egg Harbor Township High School student.
The plant, which he names Audrey II after the object of his affection, promises Seymour fame and fortune – with one condition: that the flower shop employee keep the plant fed with human flesh and blood.
This causes the plant to grow and to require increasing amounts of nourishment. As the plot turns increasingly dark in a comic way, Audrey II begins to have its eye on its namesake, the real Audrey.
Audiences familiar with the stage musical or the movie should come with high expectations, according to Hartman.
The cast is made up of 25 of the best talent from local schools, including Ocean City, Egg Harbor Township and Upper Township.
“The talent level of the young people is remarkable,” Hartman said. “It’s really hard for me to believe sometimes that they are middle school and high school kids.”
The sets and props are also top-notch, he said, with sets by James Hartman (who just happens to be Michael’s father) and lighting by Tom Williamson and costumes by Laura Bretherick. Hartman is the choreographer, Andrew Hink the musical director. Director of the show is Brandon Monokian.
As an indication of the production values, Hartman said the OCTC rented theatrical-quality puppets representing the various stages of growth of the Audrey II character, the bloodthirsty plant.
“The smaller ones are arm puppets and the large one is a full-on body suit with a person inside,” Hartman said with a laugh.
For Hartman, whose time constraints of his daily duties won’t allow him to work behind the scenes for most of the city’s entertainment events, the OCTC production allows him to volunteer his services and to work with and encourage theatre-minded kids.
“It’s been fun for me,” Hartman said. “Working with kids is one of my first loves.”
