BANGOR, Maine — The 1980s movie turned Broadway musical "Little Shop of Horrors" has become a bit of a cult classic over the years.
This week, the Penobscot Theater Company (PTC) raised the curtain on its own production.
Eric Byers plays the lead role of Seymour.
Byers grew up in Bangor and said the Penobscot Theater Company stage was where he found his love for performing.
"I actually did my first production at PTC six years ago," Byers said. "Personally, this was my first experience ever in theater. I was kind of in a transition where I wasn't sure what I wanted to do so having the opportunity to come back to a place where I kind of started my theater journey is a big deal."
Byers takes the stage alongside Dominick Varney. The two have worked together before and said they were excited to be reunited.
"I really think it's the music, it's just so memorable and catchy," Varney said. "It has a doo-wop feel but it also has a rock 'n' roll feel at the same time."
This year marks 50 years for the historic downtown theater, making these performances even more special for the actors on stage.
"Fifty years is a really long time and there aren't a lot of theaters in the state of Maine that can say they've been around for 50 years," Varney said. "So, the fact that I get to have a little stamp on this amazing cultural icon in the city, it feels amazing."
Head to the Penobscot Theater Company website for more information.