A blood-thirsty plant intent on global domination has set its sights on Guilford High School (GHS) with the spring production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Based on the 1960 B movie of the same name, Little Shop of Horrors is described as “a delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical.” Cara Mulqueen-Teasdale, director and theater arts coordinator for GHS, says the dark comedy fits in with the burgeoning sense of post-COVID normalcy and a desire to have some fun and embrace a little campiness after such a long period of isolation.

“For some of the kids, it’s been really tough. They’ve been insular and on their devices throughout the pandemic, and this feels like a small community. And I think they are making meaningful relationships with each other and are very supportive of one another,” Mulqueen-Teasdale said. “Actually, they’ve been incredibly kind to each other. This show is fun, family-friendly fun. It’s one of those shows that kids get totally sucked into. I think it’s a magic play, too; there’s puppets, lights, sound, and things turning. So, I think it’s going to be a really fun and exciting play for people to come see.”

Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn who stumbles upon a new breed of plant that he names Audrey II after his coworker and crush. Audrey II is not as it first appears, however. Seymour quickly discovers that not only can Audrey II talk, but the plant has a particular taste for human blood. The carnivorous plant promises the down-and-out Seymour fame and fortune in exchange for its favored food choice, but in time, Seymour learns of the plant’s out-of-this-world origins and its intent on global domination.

Mulqueen-Teasdale said the musical’s selection is a contrast to last year’s production of SpongeBob Squarepants: The Musical and is an intentional change to highlight as many students as possible. Cast, crew, and musicians for the production total nearly 200 students.

“We try to cycle through different types of shows so that we can get as many kids on the stage during their four years at Guilford High,” Mulqueen-Teasdale said. “There’s certain material that suits a certain type of voice. So, we try to give people opportunities by choosing material that will highlight different kids.”

Little Shop is also a smaller show compared to SpongeBob, according to Mulqueen-Teasdale, which allows the cast to learn new skills and try more creative things.

“We did this big, splashy, terrific musical last year and had so much fun —SpongeBob — and we wanted to do a smaller show that would help hone some skills and to give kids even more agency in terms of creating things,” she said. “The kids are having a lot of fun. The kids in this show are, by and large, inexperienced, but the camaraderie and friendship, it is a really positive group of kids.”

The curtain goes up for Little Shop of Horrors on Friday, March 24, at 7 p.m. Additional shows are scheduled for Saturday, March 25, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 26, at 2 p.m.; Friday, March 31, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are on sale at ghsta.weebly.com.