Governments are having a tough time getting the economy to grow these days, but Audrey II, the ever-expanding plant in the musical "Little Shop of Horrors," never seems to have any trouble.

Indianapolis Civic Theatre launches its 2008-09 season with the intentionally silly spoof of mid-20th century pop culture, especially low-budget science fiction films.

It's only fair to acknowledge that "Little Shop" was never a favorite of mine when it was a hit in the 1980s, and that time hasn't changed my point of view. To me, a story about a plant that feeds on human blood, and eventually outsmarts its benefactor, Seymour, is about as shopworn as the Skid Row flower shop where Seymour works.

The characters -- and not just the nerdy Seymour, but also Mr. Mushnik the shop owner, Audrey the clerk with a secret, and Orin, the dentist with Elvis hair -- are all mind-numbingly stereotypical.

That said, Civic's production is pretty solid. Brent E. Marty provided energetic direction, underscored by lots of tongue in cheek. Jean Engstrom devised fun, 1960s costumes, and Anne Nicole Beck contributed period choreography.

Let's just say the show might grow on you -- not unlike Audrey II, the plant Seymour adopts, only to become a hero who wins over the human Audrey.

Civic's "Little Shop" features Scot Greenwell as a timid floral assistant who gradually evolves into a self-assured hero, of sorts. Mikayla Anne Reed looks a bit like Barbara Eden, while playing the tragi-comical shop girl, Audrey, who endures abuse from her weird, sadistic dentist boyfriend (Jeffrey S. Reeves).

After Orin's unfortunate "disappearance," Audrey finally ends up with Seymour, who appreciates her for who she is. Audrey and Seymour's big musical moment, "Suddenly, Seymour" in Act 2, was quite moving.

But for me, the three backup singers -- Leslie M. Hollis as Chiffon, Angela Manlove as Ronnette and Jennifer L. Simms as Crystal -- helped carry the show as much as anyone. Without upstaging the leads, the trio brought life to every scene, especially in Act 1. Their attitudes, '60s girl-group harmonies, hairstyles, hand choreography and costumes were fabulous in every way.

'Little Shop of Horrors'

What: A rock musical with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, score by Alan Menken. Based on a film by Roger Corman.

When: Through Sept. 28.

Where: Indianapolis Civic Theatre.

Bottom line: A production that just might grow on you.