The plant is growing and so is publicity.

Students will perform “Little Shop of Horrors” in mid-April.

The production offers a completely different topic than this semester’s previous plays, such as “Agamemnon” and “Incorruptible.”

One of the longest-running Off-Broadway musicals, this production is about an R&B-singing carnivore who promises a flower shop fortune and fame in exchange for feeding the plant human blood.

The theater department puts on one musical per year, generally in the summertime.

“I’ve wanted to do this one for a long time,” theater professor Ric Roberts said.

Roberts is directing and choreographing the show and is the musical director, as well.

He said he hopes that as the department continues to grow, students will fill some of these positions.

Howard Ashman and Alan Menken created the film version of “Little Shop of Horrors.” They also contributed their works to Disney films, such as “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

The play originally called for eight roles to be filled, but Roberts casted 18 parts to expand the production.

The cast includes Zach Bauer (Seymour), Lexee Longwell (Audrey) and Blake Mazur (Mushnik).

Seymour is a traditional nerd character who appears very intelligent, but secretly isn’t very smart.

Audrey is a sweet girl in a bad situation with her abusive boyfriend. She eventually reveals that she has feelings for Seymour.

Mushnik owns the floral store and adopts Seymour to continue the family business.

Seymour stumbles upon a plant, voiced by David Ryan, which brings community attention to the financially struggling store, and names it “Audrey II.”

The theater department purchased Audrey II from the company that supplies plants for the  Broadway shows.

Soon, Seymour discovers the plant is carnivorous and begins to give it what it wants in hopes of more success.

Those familiar with the movie will experience several new twists in this rendition.

Any student can audition for a role in a production, although preference is usually given to theater majors when talents in auditions are equal.

“It helps create more theater majors,” Roberts said.

Many members of this cast have been active in several productions on campus. However, some cast members are in their first production and are not theater majors.

The production based off the 1950s sci-fi film is rated PG-13 as some material may be inappropriate for children.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for senior citizens (ages 60+) and students.

Ticket prices were increased due to purchasing rights to the music.

Five performances are lined up for guests daily in the Malcolm Field Theatre. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 11 through Saturday, April 15. A matinee performance will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday,  April 15.

For more information or to order tickets, contact the Box Office at 989-964-4261.