Lunenburg County’s Central High School will present a staged performance of The Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken on March 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. and March 26 at 3 p.m. at Central High School.

The horror comedy/rock musical, based on the popular film by Roger Corman tells the story of Seymour Krelborn, a floral shop assistant who finds a peculiar plant that feeds on human blood.

The play is directed by Amanda Ellis, a chorus teacher and drama coach at Central High School.

Ellis, a Longwood University graduate, is in her first year as drama coach at the school. She said she’s excited to put on the musical — in part — because it’s the first musical the school has performed in roughly 30 years.

“The reason why I chose this is because it’s a small cast and I thought it was upbeat and funny,” Ellis said.

Additionally, Ellis said the musical was a way to bring the school together.

“I thought this (was) a great opportunity for all our students, for our musicians, for our actors, for people who like to work behind the scenes,” she said. “I thought it was going to be something that everyone could participate in. We even have the art students helping, the business students helping with the program and the flyers and the carpentry students helping. It’s just a big school project and it’s exciting to see everyone

come together.”

Auditions for the show were held in December, but despite being able to work on a few of the songs, the scripts did not come in until the second week in January, Ellis said.

Sophomore Gabrielle Aubel, who plays Audrey in the show, said she is excited for the show.

“I think it’s funny but in a weird, humorous type of way,” Aubel said.

Junior Robert Carroll Carwile III, who plays the flower shop assistant Seymour Krelborn, said he is glad to be able to perform in the musical.

“It’s unique. I tried it earlier in the school year and it didn’t work out, it just wasn’t my cup of tea,” Carwile said. “And this year, they’re doing a musical instead of (a play or comedy) and I thought, ‘Yeah I could do that.’ It’s a lot easier to memorize lyrics than it is lines, and the fact that this mashes up both works perfectly for me.”

Carwile said he gets into character through method acting.

“My character despises Orin Scrivello, and I’ve gotten into the character to the point that if I see the actor that plays Orin I start to think, ‘Oh, that’s Orin.’ And then I (have to remind myself) no, that’s Kadarius. He’s cool.”

Senior Kadarius Blackwell, who plays Orin, said this is his stage debut. He noted the cast is really connecting with their characters.

“People are really connecting to their character, they’re really good at acting,” Blackwell said. “They’re really taking time to understand their characters, and we’re really getting connected to each other as we act together. It’s like one big family.”