The first, a nice rendition underscoring the show's comic-book sensibility, opened Thursday at the Devon Theater on Frankford Avenue in the Northeast - the beginning of that theater's first full season, in a renovated movie house restored to neighborhood-landmark status.

The second, a coproduction from Theater Horizon and 11th Hour Theatre Company, opens at Centre Theater in Norristown this week.

Devon's artistic director, Michael Pickering, stages a fluid, well-sung piece on Bradley R. Helm's set, an old-fashioned Skid Row flower shop.

You can't play Little Shop as anything but a goofy fantasy, the tone Pickering gives it to generally fine effect. But this version's standout is its rich singing, enhanced by Foster Childers' sound design. (The Devon's makeover includes a nifty sound system.)

In fact, the best comic acting comes out in the renditions of peppy songs by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, the powerhouse team that scored Disney's Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. The musical numbers, backed by an offstage trio on keyboard, bass, and drums, never let up - providing the oomph in a show that has had many different incarnations.

Little Shop has been a Roger Corman film (1960), a long-running Off-Broadway hit (1982), a popular movie remake (1986), and finally a successful Broadway show (2003). Each time, its main character, of sorts - a plant called Audrey II that could be flora from outer space (or from Marvel Comics) - seems more fantastical, more carnivorous.

A group called Monkey Boys Puppets created this production's expressive Audrey II. Deft puppeteer Andrew Cox eerily moves the plant and its choppers, and William Scott's basso profundo gives it a striking voice.

The schlumpy character who creates this monster is played by Michael Indeglio, who elicits the same empathy that Woody Allen did in his early, bittersweet days; Indeglio even looks like a more robust cousin of the comedian. His love interest is portrayed by the endearing Jordi Wallen, who has us instantly on her side as a big-hearted gal who can't get ahead.

As the shop owner, Bill Arthur could draw more laughs, but he's on target when he sings. And the chorus of three neighborhood layabouts - Tiffany Dawn Christopher, Ayana Major Beyc, and Tina Himaya - sashays around the stage providing snarky commentary.

Hats off to Joe Mallon, as a sadistic dentist whose drill is his Viagra, and in many other roles in rapid succession - playing them all with style.

Little Shop of Horrors

Through Sept. 27 at Devon Theater, 6333 Frankford Ave. Information: 215-338-6300 or www.devontheater.org.