Maniacal musical: Whitefish Theatre Co. cultivates horror, comedy and camp in latest production

The contraption was bizarre-looking. It appeared to be a large rusty screw, with handles on one end and a block of wood on the other.  

“It’s the dentist’s drill!” a woman exclaimed, holding up the prop for her friend to see.  

They chatted for a minute in the parking lot before the woman ducked inside the theater building. Short, dark halls led to a theater, where actors and stage crew bustled across the room. A puppet, the size of a go-kart, sat in the middle of the floor.  

For the first time in nearly 30 years, a large talking plant with an odd craving for blood is sprouting to life in Whitefish Theatre Company’s production of the cult classic “Little Shop of Horrors.” 

This isn’t your average musical, said Director Kim Krueger, also artistic director of Whitefish Theatre Company. Yes, some may consider a show about Seymour, an awkward flower shop assistant who discovers an alien plant with a satiation for human flesh, a bit campy. 

But the underlying theme of greed and money portrays a deeper message around hubris, love and how far someone is willing to go to get what they want, Krueger said. She and several cast members succinctly summarized it as a satirical jab at capitalism.  

“It’s fun because it’s so dark, but also so, so silly,” said Mikey Winn, who plays Seymour, one of the lead roles. "It does deal with some issues, like capitalism ... but it’s the silliest show.” 

A Greek-like chorus of three women narrates the story, beginning the tale on the sketchy streets of Skid Row. Similar to the three Muses, the mischievous storytellers push the narrative along, accompanied by a score of rock music and doo-wop composed by Alan Menken and written by Howard Ashman. Menken and Ashman are the same musical duo behind Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” in 1989; “Beauty and Beast” in 1991; and “Aladdin” in 1992. 

“When you listen to the music, it’s like, ‘Oh, you can tell,’” Winn said. “You can definitely hear the influence.” 

ANYONE WHO walked into rehearsal might think it’s a normal show at first, with background sets, soft blue lighting and actors skirting around in costumes as they conduct mic checks.  

But a giant plant head sitting in the middle of the floor, with luscious lips and a mouth large enough to swallow a man whole, might give them pause. Krueger said the puppet arrived in an 800-pound crate, and smaller puppets came in a 400-pound crate.  

“We’re going to do things this audience has never seen before,” Krueger said. 

Ian Wheeler and David Blaire are the two men behind the flowerpot who bring Audrey II, a sassy but monstrous man-eating plant, to life. Ian is the puppeteer animating Audrey II’s lips and movement in sync with the vocals performed by Blaire.  

“She knows how to get what she wants,” Wheeler said. “Sometimes it feels like she’s the smartest character in the play. Maybe that’s just a bit of a bias.” 

This is his first time puppeteering in a show, and Wheeler said he wasn’t sure what to expect. Rehearsals started April 2, and the puppets only arrived the week prior to the show’s opening. He practiced miming his hand movements in sync with Blaire during rehearsals to nail down the rhythm.  

“The physicality is pretty tough,” Ian said. “There’s a lot of energy behind the character, and so you can’t really go small the whole time.” 

In Frank Oz’s 1986 film adaptation of the off-Broadway show, Audrey II’s voice is deep and soulful. Blaire, whose voice is naturally high, lowers his pitch to a tenor to capture Audrey II’s personality.  

“There’s so many examples of Audrey II voices throughout the history of this show,” Blaire said. “And I’m not, like, you know, copying or emulating, but I’m just trying to be like, ‘OK, this is a monster ... an alien monster from outer space.’” 

THERE WILL be some fresh faces in the theatre company’s 10-volunteer cast, including Marcus Wheeler, a neurologist whose contagious sense of humor brings the ensemble to life.  

People are often surprised to learn that their doctor is not only an actor, but also a horror film executive producer, he said. One of his productions, “Sin Eater,” a 15-minute short film directed by Corey Simpson, recently claimed top prize at the 2025 Highlands Horrorfest.  

“It’s really fun when my patients and their families come to the shows, and they’re surprised to see me up there,” Wheeler said.  

He plays eight different characters in the musical, including a sleazy NBC executive, a smarmy businessman and a nerdy scientist. His favorite character, however, is a British woman who works for “Life” magazine. 

“That’s the one I think the audience is going to react to the most,” Wheeler said, “when I go off as a businessman and immediately come back as a British lady.” 

It’s not easy playing so many parts in one musical. In one song, Wheeler plays three different characters. He gets 40 seconds during two brief moments offstage to change costumes, voices and personalities. 

“It’s challenging,” Wheeler said. “I have to be listening for cues, staying in character and changing as fast as I can.” 

The horror comedy production is a bucket list show for many of its 10 volunteer cast members. Cat Carter, who plays Audrey, the romantic lead in the play, grew up watching the 1986 film adaptation with her sister.  

“We just always loved it,” Carter said. “We thought it was really ridiculous.” 

When she and her sister saw the show for the first time on Broadway last summer, Carter was blown away. The show was completely different from the movie, she said, unlike anything she’d ever seen.  

“It was just a shocker. A total shocker,” Carter said.  

The show, including the puppets, cost $23,000, Krueger said. Whitefish Theatre Company held a year-long fundraiser, “Bring Audrey II to Whitefish,” to rent the puppets from Music Theatre International, a New York City-based theatrical licensing agency where rights to the show were also purchased.  

Krueger invites everyone to come see the production and purchase tickets as soon as possible.  

“One thing is, people wait, and then we sell out,” she said.  

Tickets are available at whitefishtheatreco.com, priced at $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on May 28-30 and June 5-6. A matinee performance on May 31 starts at 4 p.m. 

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or hshields@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support. 

    The cast of "Little Shop of Horrors," from Whitefish Theatre Co., rehearses on May 18, 2026, ahead of opening night on May 22, 2026. (Courtesy of Matthew Wetzler)
 Matthew Wetzler; Thewmatt Photography   

    Cat Carter, who plays Audrey, rehearses with the Audrey II puppet in Whitefish Theatre Company's upcoming production of "Little Shop of Horrors" ahead of opening night on May 22, 2026. Whitefish Theatre Company's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" ahead of opening night on May 22, 2026. (Courtesy of Matthew Wetzler)
 Matthew Wetzler; Thewmatt Photography   

    Jhalen Salazar, who plays the dentist, with Mikey Winn, who plays Seymour, during rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" ahead of opening night on May 22, 2026. (Courtesy of Matthew Wetzler)
 Matthew Wetzler; Thewmatt Photography