(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – The rock-horror musical comedy “Little Shop of Horrors,” with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, opens at the Colonial Theatre on Wednesday, July 6, and runs through Saturday, July 23. The production features Broadway actress Bryonha Parham voicing the role of Audrey II – the infamous plant – from offstage, while onstage lip-syncing drag queen Taurean Everett will embody the plant, which is usually represented by a puppet.

Director Ethan Heard explains: “My collaborators and I knew we wanted to find a fresh way to manifest Audrey II, in all her fun and terrifying glory. We’ve decided to bring the infamous plant to life, not with a puppet, but with a fabulous, lip-syncing drag queen onstage (Taurean Everett) and a powerhouse, female, actor-singer offstage (Bryonha Parham). Designed by Miodrag Guberinic, who has crafted eye-popping window displays for Bergdoorf Goodman and stunning costumes for Madonna, our Audrey II will be more magical, thrilling, and hilarious than ever. Fashion, camp, and ferocity combine to embody Seymour’s wildest dreams … and nightmares.”

In “Little Shop of Horrors,” Seymour Krelborn, a timid, poor floral assistant, lives downtown on Skid Row. Constantly berated by his boss, Mr. Mushnik, and longing to be noticed by his beautifully flawed co-worker, Audrey, Seymour serendipitously discovers a mysterious plant in town. Aptly naming it the Audrey II, Seymour takes the plant back to his run-down flower shop. Suddenly Seymour’s life is filled with recognition and riches, all thanks to the Audrey II.

Unfortunately, the plant has an unconventional thirst for something other than water. Seymour is faced with the tough decision of giving into the lewd Audrey II’s demands and continuing down the path to success, or returning back to his simple life.