He saw the original B-movie cult classic as a teenager, caught an off-Broadway, operatic rendition of the colorful rock musical more than 25 years ago and watched in curiosity Frank Oz’s 1986 movie version of the loopy morality play on the evils of greed.

Paul Fouhy always was delighted with “Little Shop of Horrors” – a celebrated, entertaining, zany love story with a dash of twisted humor, set in a skid-row floral shop and featuring an extraterrestrial, singing plant with a man-munching appetite.

“It’s catchy, famous and fun,” said Fouhy, a longtime director of high school and regional productions. “It’s one of my favorite modern musicals.”

Fouhy’s fondness for the play persuaded the director to bring the musical comedy to life locally – first with Encore Theater at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center eight years ago and soon thereafter, the Auburn Performing Arts Center.

It was a hit.

And now, Fouhy is resurrecting the beloved spoof with an alumni cast for an eight-performance stint at the Auburn Mountainview High School Theater. The premiere is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Proceeds from the play will aid the drama scholarship fund at Auburn Mountainview High School.

Fouhy, who came to Mountainview to head the drama department in 2005 after working 23 years at Auburn High, got the idea to stage an alumni program after consulting with Terry Thibodeaux, a 1999 Auburn High graduate and his longtime theater assistant. Last year’s inaugural effort, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, raised some money and good reviews.

The group decided to try it again.

The Summer Alumni Theatre Co., a deep and talented cast of Fouhy-taught drama alumni (1985-2009), will spin the fast-paced play into motion. The cast of 11 strong, in addition to support staff, is primed for a technically-challenging yet rewarding experience.

“(The audience can expect) a great show, well polished, professional,” said Thibodeaux, the play’s artistic director, who is working on his 35th show with Fouhy in a 15-year span. “It’s got a great story line. … It’s definitely out there. A man-eating plant? You don’t see that every day.”

To make Audrey II, the manipulative, blood-thirsty plant, come to life on stage, the cast got a boost. Four plant puppets, designed and built by John and Jeanine Bartlet, were graciously donated for the show by Warren Kerr, Auburn High drama and arts instructor. Kerr’s students performed the play at APAC.

Perhaps the biggest challenge will be the cast’s ability to break down and transition through the musical’s intricate string of harmonies, Thibodeaux said.

Unlike a typical six-to-eight-week schedule to produce a show of this kind, the alumni cast must come together in three.

But Fouhy’s group is pulling it off.

Jacklyn Kellogg, an ’05 Auburn High graduate who is studying music at PLU, returns to play the lead role of Audrey Fulquard, a quiet, ditsy denizen and the object of Seymour Krelborn’s affections.

“I’ve never been eaten before, so that will be a hoot,” Kellogg said. “This is fun and exciting. It’s a wonderful cast to work with.”

John Tague, an ’08 Mountainview grad and Green River Community College arts student, plays Seymour.

“It’s challenging,” Tague said of his role. “I’ve always enjoyed being the center of attention.”

The cast welcomes the addition of Charlotte Newman, an ’04 Auburn High grad, in the role of Crystal, one of the three chorus girls.

“It’s awesome. It’s a great opportunity,” said Newman, who plans to study at the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. “It’s amazing to be back with Paul. He’s brilliant. It’s great to be working with people who have the same passion and interests in theater.”

The experienced cast also includes the versatile Rachel Brinn, a 2000 Auburn High graduate who recently finished her studies in music and vocal performance at the prestigious Boston Conservatory.

The cast also brings back David Allen Ellis, an ’85 Auburn High grad who studied at New York’s National Shakespeare Conservatory for several years before returning home to resume his studies at PLU.

“I’m the ‘grandfather’ of the cast,” admitted Ellis, who will play Mr. Mushnik, the cranky and sly flower shop owner. “The talent of the cast just amazes me. Paul has surrounded himself with good people and fun people.

“It’s just like a second family.”

====

IT’S SHOWTIME

• Production: “Little Shop of Horrors” – Summer Alumni Theatre Co., directed by Paul Fouhy.

• Performances: Eight shows, Aug. 12-15, 19-22, 7:30 p.m. each day.

• Stage: Auburn Mountainview High School Theater, 28900 124th Ave SE., Auburn.

• Cast: Lauren Slettedahl (Chiffon); Charlotte Hemstock (Crystal); Rachel Brinn (Ronnette); David Allen Ellis (Mr. Mushnik); Jacklyn Kellogg (Audrey); John Tague (Seymour); Terry Thibodeaux (Derelict, Audrey II voice); David Cox (Orin, Luce); Brandon Kinney and County Bookwalter (Audrey II manipulation); Kinney and Jeanette Helms (ensemble).

• Admission: $8.