The Urchins trio of singers, Ronnette, Chiffon and Crystal, played by Nara Boone, Aida Rose and Amber Seelig, provide commentary throughout the “Little Shop of Horrors,” which opens March 14 at the ProArts Playhouse. Courtesy photo

Guaranteed a fun, perfect antidote for this troubling time, what could be better than spending a couple of hours with the comedy rock musical “Little Shop of Horrors” at the ProArts Playhouse, opening on Friday.

“Right now people want some fun,” says director Ally Shore. “They want to laugh. They want to enjoy.”

What began as a low-budget B-movie by Roger Corman in 1960, featuring a young Jack Nicholson as a dental patient, was transformed into a huge international success as a musical, later captured in the 1986 hit movie starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin.

With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, “Little Shop of Horrors” was the third-longest running musical and the highest-grossing production in off-Broadway history.

The story involves a Skid Row florist shop worker called Seymour, who raises an exotic plant named Audrey II. Growing by feeding on human blood and flesh it seeks to dominate the world.

“This will be a classic version of the show people love,” says Shore. “It has fabulous, upbeat music. Even the scary parts are funny.”

The cast includes Jesie Rocetes as Seymour, Danielle Ferrer as Audrey, Paul Jackel as Mr. Mushnik and J. Scott McLelland as the dentist.

Along with a live backing band, the show features the Urchins trio of singers, Ronnette, Chiffon and Crystal, played by Nara Boone, Aida Rose and Amber Seelig, who provide commentary throughout the show.

“We have performers that people have not seen on stage before like Nara Boone,” says Shore. “Everyone knows her from clubs, she’s one of our Urchins. Our music director Vania Jerome is amazing. She’s getting the best sound out of all the people.”

With music composed in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, the show’s popular tunes include “Skid Row (Downtown),” “Somewhere That’s Green,” “Suddenly, Seymour” and the title song.

A Guardian review of a UK regional performance exclaimed: “Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s 1982 comedy has so many catchy songs that you arrive hungry to hear them. This is a musical front-loaded with delights.”

In the director’s notes for the show, Shore expands on the show’s relevance for our time: “Little Shop of Horrors delves into the consequences of unchecked greed and the dangers of capitalism. Through its humor and music, the play offers a biting critique of those who will stop at nothing to achieve their desires, whether through manipulation, deceit, or reckless ambition. It poses essential questions: How far will you go to attain comfort, wealth, and power? Who will you sacrifice along the way, and what lines will you cross to fulfill your desires? As the play concludes, the repeated refrain, ‘Don’t feed the plants,’ serves as a powerful reminder: Be careful what you wish for. The creature you nurture may ultimately devour you.”

Opening off-Broadway in Manhattan’s East Village in 1982, “Little Shop” won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, as well as the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. Ashman wrote it “satirizes science fiction, B movies, musical comedy itself, and even the Faust legend.”

Besides the leading actors, one of the stars of the show is Audrey II designed by Frank Kane and Steffie Garrett.

“The puppet is spectacular,” says Shore. “We had Frank Kane, who was an original puppet maker, get us going with the initial designs, and then Steffi Garrett stepped in to be our puppetry director and to help finish the puppets. And we would be remiss not to mention Morgan Wittmer, who is our scenic artist and our painter for the puppets. What she has done is nothing short of miraculous. We have a heck of a team.”

With “Little Shop of Horrors” running through April 6, Shore concludes: “It’s a strong cast, and bringing just what people expect from this. A fun evening of laughs and great music. I hope my idea that is what people want right now is true.”

“Little Shop of Horrors” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the ProArts Playhouse and closes April 6. Tickets range from $25 to $45 with $5 off any seat for teens 13 to 17 and $10 off any seat for children 12 and under.