The cast and crew of The University of Scranton Players’ production of “Little Shop of Horrors” are preparing for the curtainsto rise Feb. 21. The show is directed by Michael O’Steen, assistant professor in the department of English and theater.

The Players will perform the Broadway classic Feb. 21, 22, 23 and 28, and they’ll be back for two more shows March 1 and 2. Friday and Saturday shows will be at 8 p.m., and Sunday shows will be at 2 p.m.

Molly McGuinness, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from Stewart Manor, New York, will be playing Audrey, one of the leads in the show. She said everyone in the cast works well together, and they have been enjoying rehearsals.

“I’m really in awe of all the time and care everyone involved in the show has put into this production,” she said.

McGuinness has been performing since she was 4 yearsold, but this production is particularly special for her. She said playing Audrey has been a dream of hers since she was 12 years old.

“I feel incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to bring her story to life. I’m extremely excited to bring this show to the stage and to be able to perform for my family, friends and the Scranton community,” she said.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is a horror rock comedy musical written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken about a floral shop worker who raisesa deadly, human-eating plant. The story originated in 1894 with H.G. Wells’ short story “The Flowering of the Strange Orchid.” It was then adapted into two other written versions before being made into a film called “The Passionate People Eater.”

In 1982, Ashman and Menken adapted the film into a musical, which began Off-Off Broadway before eventually opening on Broadway in 2003. Now,the musical is making its way to the Royal Theatre in McDade Center for the Literary and Performing Arts.

Tickets can be reserved at the link in the Players’ Instagram bio (@scranton_players) and picked up at the box office. The box office opens 30 minutes before the show and can only accept cash, check or Royal Card. Tickets are $7 for students, faculty, staff and senior citizens and $10 for general admission. Tickets for first-year students are free for the first weekend of performances.

Zainab Shah, a senior computer engineering major from Pakistan, is working behind the scenes as a part of the stage crew for this production. She said she has spent hours helping the cast and crew put the show together, and she is excited for everyone to see it.

“Little Shop of Horrors holds no bounds of killer comedy and fantastic songs. We can’t wait for you to laugh along with us,” she said.