Constance Wu Says Doing 'Little Shop of Horrors' Off-Broadway Feels 'Like Coming Home' (Exclusive)

The actress is starring in the acclaimed production opposite Corbin Bleu — and PEOPLE has an exclusive sneak peek at the two on set

Constance Wu is days away from making her debut as Audrey in Off-Broadway's hit revival of the beloved musical Little Shop of Horrors. But rehearsing for the show has been anything but a horror show.

"It's been a lot of fun," Wu, 41, tells PEOPLE of preparing for the production before she takes the stage at the Westside Theatre in New York City. "It feels good to be back on stage, working with theater folks. It’s like coming home."

The Crazy Rich Asians actress has long loved the horror-comedy rock musical — which features a score from from Alan Menken (music) and the late Howard Ashman (lyrics), the team behind The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.

"Little Shop has been my favorite musical since I was a kid and saw it at a local community theater production in my hometown, Richmond, Virginia," Wu recalls, noting she wasn't surprised by anything in the rehearsal process. "I’ve been obsessed ever since, so I arrived with a super-fan knowledge of the show."

Wu will star in the musical alongside High School Musical vet Corbin Bleu as Seymour, Audrey's love interest.

PEOPLE is exclusively premiering two photos showing the two on the show's set.

Asked what it's like working with Bleu, Wu praised her costar as "wonderfully talented." She added: "I just really like working with him because we are both huge lovers of theater."

And while Wu gets to sing show tune staples like "Somewhere That's Green" and "Suddenly Seymour" in the musical, it's the Act II opener "Call Back in the Morning" that has been her favorite to work on. "It was the most challenging, choreography-wise," she tells PEOPLE. "I love a challenge!"

Related: Constance Wu and Corbin Bleu Cast as Next Audrey and Seymour in 'Little Shop of Horrors' in N.Y.C. (Exclusive)

Little Shop of Horrors is based on the 1960 movie of the same name. Both tell the story a down-on-his luck florist named Seymour who helps turn his boss’ plant shop around when he discovers a rare (and voracious) plant. He names the mysterious greenery Audrey II, after his co-worker and longtime crush, Audrey.

Ashman — who died in March 1991 at the age of 40 from his HIV/AIDS positive diagnosis — adapted the film for the stage, penning the show's book. The musical originally premiered in New York City in 1982, before it transferred to Off-Broadway's Orpheum Theatre, where it ran for five years.

A 1986 film adaptation, directed by Frank Oz and starring Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene came next. It became a cult classic, and helped fuel the popularity of community theater and high school productions of Little Shop for decades to come.

A Broadway production finally came in 2003, starring Kerry Butler and Hunter Foster. It closed nearly a year later, after 40 previews and 372 performances.

The current Off-Broadway revival debuted in 2019, with Tammy Blanchard and Jonathan Groff in the lead roles of Audrey and Seymour. Since then, Lena Hall, Maude Apatow and Joy Woods have all replaced in the role of Audrey, while the role of Seymour has seen a number of stars take their turn, including Gideon Glick, Jeremy Jordan, Conrad Ricamora, Skylar Astin, Rob McClure, and Matt Doyle.

Related: Maude Apatow to Make Her New York Stage Debut in Off-Broadway 'Little Shop of Horrors'

Wu and Bleu, 34, will begin their performances on Sept. 26. PEOPLE was first to announce their casting last month.

"The music is so wonderful & I love Audrey," Wu said at the time. "I relate to her scrappiness and finding beauty in the simple things. I am so excited to be in this production, singing and performing alongside the brilliant Corbin Bleu, and enjoying the thrill of live & alive theater with the audience."

Bleu, like Wu, said he has long "been a fan of Little Shop since childhood," when he watched Little Shop movie "on repeat."

"I am really looking forward to performing with Constance and finding our Seymour & Audrey dynamic," added the Broadway alum. "We both love and crave live theater – our mutual excitement is kinetic."

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Tickets for Little Shop of Horrors are available now at littleshopnyc.com.

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