American actor and vaudevillian W.C. Fields is famously credited with the quote, “Never act with children or animals.” That leaves Scott Caster’s latest role, as Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors,” off the hook since he’ll be performing with a plant in Nutz-n-Boltz Theater Company’s (NNB) latest production.

Director Justin Lazenby will provide the voice for the plant (named Audrey II),
while also operating the puppet, which NNB rented from Southern Oregon
University in Ashland. Audrey II’s progression includes five plants of
increasingly larger sizes.

“It’ll be interesting to see once we have our lines down to see how that
works,” Caster said. “The final plant is really cool.”

The musical, a blend of horror, comedy and rock ‘n’ roll, offers the story of
Seymour Krelborn, a florist who has a crush on his coworker, Audrey, and
names a new found plant after her. The plant promises fame and fortune to
Seymour if he can help satiate its need to feed on human flesh.

Lazenby noted the relationship with Seymour and Audrey II is akin to a deal
with the devil, but the horrible things Seymour ends up doing is based on his
affection for Audrey.

“He does it all for love, which is sweet and dark and lovely and romantic all at
once,” Lazenby said.

Caster added that Seymour is not a typical leading man, but in that way,
Caster can identify with the character he was introduced to 30 years ago
when he first saw the movie.

“I felt like an outcast, I felt invisible, I felt like the nerd,” Caster said. “He still
gets the girl. He’s like the anti-hero, and everyone roots for the underdog.”
The musical is set the 1950s and features doo-wop and other types of musical
numbers.

“It’s good music, it’s a great mix of songs that kind of happened in different
genres,” Lazenby said. “You kind of get this fun feel of a whole bunch of
different eras. It’s a lot of fun.”

The production will be the 50th for NNB, which is entering its 11th season,
and audience members who are familiar with NNB shows will be treated to a
new full proscenium curtain as an upgrade to the Grange where they perform.

NNB presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and
music by Alan Menken, from Oct. 7-23 at the Boring Grange, 27861 Grange
Street in Boring. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3
p.m. on Sundays.

Audience members are encouraged to create plant art to get a discount on the
ticket and enter into a contest. There will also be door prizes. For more
information, or to make reservations, call 503-593-1295 or visit
nnbtheater.com.

Clackamas Rep’s children's series returns
Clackamas Repertory Theatre’s (CRT) “Wing It” series, interactive children’s
shows, will offer a performance of “Rapunzel” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1,
at the Niemeyer Center on the Oregon City campus of Clackamas Community
College, 19600 Molalla Avenue in Oregon City. The show includes singing,
dancing and a talent show for kids, offering a chance to go up on stage.
Admission is $5 at the door with no reserved seating.

Each episode of “Wing It” is unique and features an important lesson to be
learned. “Rapunzel” focuses on discovering beauty from within, as forest
friends will discover how Rapunzel feels about being judged by the length of
her hair and the audience will be asked, “What do you do when you’re judged
by the way you look?”

Children in the audience are sure to have fun helping solve this conundrum.
“Wing It” is created for children two to ten years of age, but it’s fun for all
ages.

The series was developed and directed by Travis Nodurft, a CRT company
member, professional clown and Oregon City sixth-grade teacher.

Future episodes of the “Wing It” season are Dec. 3 and 10, Feb. 11, April 22
and June 10. All performances begin at 10:30 a.m. and take place in the
Niemeyer Center on the campus of Clackamas Community College. For more
information and show updates, visit www.clackamasrep.org.

First weekend offers one last chance for two shows
The Sandy Actors Theatre presents “Wait Until Dark,” by Frederick Knott,
about a woman who was recently blinded and three criminals, who terrorize
her as they search for a doll stuffed with heroin they think is in her apartment
through Sunday, Oct. 2, at 39181 Proctor Blvd. (behind Ace Hardware). Show
times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. For
more information, or to make reservations call 503-668-6834 or visit
sandyactorstheatre.org.

CRT presents “Steel Magnolias,” by Robert Harling, about a southern belle and
daughter to a local socialite, who marries a good ol’ boy but then dies from
diabetic complications after pregnancy, from Thursday, Sept. 8 through
Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Niemeyer Center on the Oregon City campus of
Clackamas Community College, 19600 Molalla Avenue in Oregon City. Show
times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on
Sunday. For more information, visit clackamasrep.org or call 503-594-6047.