Liz Gillies and Milo Manheim Bonded as Ex Child Stars in ‘Little Shop’ (Exclusive)

• Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies and Milo Manheim are currently costarring in Little Shop of Horrors off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in New York City
• The two performers tell PEOPLE about bonding as former child stars, having appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, respectively
• “When you meet somebody else that’s gone through it, it’s nice to talk about the intricacies of doing all that. You feel seen,” says Manheim
  

Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies and Milo Manheim are a match made in musical theater heaven.

The two performers are currently costarring in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in New York City, with Gillies, 31, as Audrey and Manheim, 24, as Seymour in the iconic horror rock comedy about a demonic plant come to life — and Skid Row has never been the same.

Sold out nearly every night, the production has garnered major fanfare as audience members travel from all over to see Gillies and Manheim, with many feeling especially connected to both actors after growing up watching them on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and Disney Channel’s Zombies, respectively.

But now they’re portraying an unlikely couple of flower shop colleagues who grow close as a murderous plant named Audrey II takes the lives of several people who’ve done them wrong. And prospective viewers will need to act fast if they want to attend a performance, as both stars are only in the show for a limited time.

Gillies and Manheim sat down with PEOPLE to discuss finding their chemistry as a romantic pair in Little Shop, bonding over child stardom, performing for their loved ones on opening night and more.

PEOPLE: You’re in the midst of this incredible run as Audrey and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. As longtime musical theater fans and performers, how has it felt to step into these iconic roles?

Milo Manheim: I had a different relationship with this show growing up because it wasn’t really a part of my musical arsenal, but that brought something great to it where I didn’t have any preconceived ideas of who this character was supposed to be. I’ve been able to really fall in love with it as we’re doing it. The whole crew feels that this show is one of the best ever written, and I agree. But there’s also a pressure that comes up and into these roles, especially when you’re in the dressing room and you see all the past names of people that have done it before, and many of them are your own idols. But you just try to let go and do your thing. I’m just grateful to be doing it alongside Liz.
Liz Gillies: Me too. I think it’s cool that you didn’t have a whole thing about this show like I did because it allowed you to come in and just create your own iconic take on it, which you really have.

PEOPLE: You hadn’t met before this production. How did you develop and find your chemistry as a couple in the show?

Gillies: We were Zooming in the beginning because Milo had missed a bit of rehearsal the first week or two because he was sick, and I think it sort of just evolved naturally. I think they cast us well. We have a natural chemistry, and I think Audrey and Seymour have really good chemistry in this show. I just feel lucky that it’s Milo that I’m doing this with and not somebody who I don’t vibe with. I guess that would be bad. We got lucky. We don’t hate each other yet.
Manheim: We haven’t had fights. We also haven’t had deep conversations about what it should be. I think a lot of the best moments of the show have evolved and happened naturally.

PEOPLE Liz, this is your first time back performing theater for New York audiences since 13: The Musical in 2008. Did you have any nerves going into Little Shop after so much time away?

Gillies: Of course. It’s like an entire Milo that I’ve been gone from theater. Not only was I nervous and trepidatious to re-enter the theater community of New York, but also this show is so special to me. It’s my favorite Broadway show, and Audrey is a role that is so close to my heart. It’s been performed by so many incredible people that it added a lot of pressure. I was very flipped out by it when I first was considering doing it. But at the same time, it was a challenge that I’d be a fool not to accept. I’m glad I allowed myself the chance to override all of that and stick with it. I couldn’t be happier or more appreciative of the opportunity. I couldn’t stop doing theater now. It’s the best thing in the world.

PEOPLE: Milo, aside from Thanksgiving, you’re largely known for projects geared toward teens and young adults with School Spirits and Zombies. How has it felt to step out of that realm into this dark and campy horror comedy?

Manheim: I’m a very happy-go-lucky person. I love spreading positivity, and I also love all the things that I do geared towards kids. They have a really important message underlying, and I feel like kids are sponges and you can teach them through this medium. I think it’s a lot easier to learn when you’re having fun. But as I’ve been doing it and built confidence in my career, I’m really just getting into the character building side of things. I’ve been so lucky to have done so many different things. I’ve done Thanksgiving, which is a horror movie, Zombies, which is for kids. We did a freaking musical about Jesus [Journey to Bethlehem] where I learned a bunch of stuff. I’m not a very religious person. But I just like to learn.

PEOPLE: Have you two bonded over your experiences as Disney and Nickelodeon stars?

Manheim: It was really refreshing to see that Liz has such a positive relationship with Nick. I look back on Zombies with such love. It was kind of healing for me to see the same with Liz. Whenever we talk about it, it’s always good experiences we’ve had. It’s an interesting boat to be in, one that not many people understand. When you meet somebody else that’s gone through it, it’s nice to talk about the intricacies of doing all that. You feel seen.
Gillies: You also know you’re getting a professional when you have a former child star. That’s what I’ve learned. Somebody’s going to come to work and do the work. We joke about how different we are — we’re really different. But our work ethic, I think, is very similar. And the way that we approach this project is very similar. I have a lot of respect for Milo.

PEOPLE: Opening night was huge for Victorious fans because there was a reunion in the room with Avan Jogia and Daniella Monet there.

Gillies: I didn’t even know they were coming. Avan texted me that day and said, “Hi, love. I’m in town. Is your show still running?” And I’m like, “My opening’s tonight.” He’s like, “Well, that’ll work.” Then, Daniella surprised me and bought a ticket and came with her husband, Andrew. We had fun. We spent the whole next day just walking around Central Park giggling like children. It was really nice.

PEOPLE: What does it mean to have their support 15 years after Victorious premiered?

Gillies: It feels incredible. I texted everybody this morning just to wish them a happy 15 years. It’s very, very, very special, and it means the world to me. Coming back to theater has been kind of — I won’t say emotional because I don’t have emotions, but it’s been a special thing for me. So to look out and see other people who knew me in a chapter of my life that really immediately followed the last time I was on Broadway, it’s very special and trippy and meaningful.

PEOPLE: Your friend Ariana Grande is a big fan of Little Shop. She’s done Audrey for Halloween before. What was her reaction to you getting this role?

Gillies: I asked her first. I was like, “Should I do this? I need your blessing.” She was like, “What? Yes, you should totally do it.” There are certain roles that we both love so much or certain projects, and I needed to check in with her. It felt so surreal and special. She’s been such a support to me throughout all of this, and I can’t wait for her to see the show.

PEOPLE: Milo, your mom Camryn was at opening night. What is it like to perform for your mom and have her support, considering she’s such a beloved actress?

Manheim: My mom’s been coming to all my shows since I was a kid, even the ones where I was terrible at 8 years old, and she still gave me love. But this one felt really different. Not only was it the first time that I really feel like she saw me beyond being her kid, but a really good performer on that stage doing his thing. Obviously she’s so proud of everything I do, and I’m so grateful for that. But we had a really healing talk after the show, and it was really validating. She’s such an incredible actress, and to be honest with you, when I was starting this thing, I didn’t want her help. When I was going out for things [from ages] 13 to 16, I’d have an Emmy award-winning actress trying to give me a note, and I’m like, “You don’t know what the f— you’re talking about, mom.” Now, I just got an audition where I am going to do ASL [American Sign Language], and my mom is fluent in ASL. I was like, “Mom, I’m going to need your help,” which is just showing how far we’ve come as mother and son. I’m so grateful for our relationship.

PEOPLE: Would you want to work together again on something in the future after Little Shop? If so, what could you see yourselves doing?

Manheim: I would want to do something original with Liz. 
Gillies: I had an idea the other day, but I’m not saying anything.
Manheim: Oh, I want to know. Will you tell me after?
Gillies: I’ll tell you later.

Tickets to Little Shop of Horrors are on sale now.