A dark comedy musical is sprouting up at Washington High School for their spring production “Little Shop of Horrors.”

The musical follows a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh, and features music composed by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who also wrote for “The Little Mermaid.” Director Brett Pierson shares that musically both productions are similar, though “Little Shop of Horrors” is for a more mature audience, “Thematically the play is very similar too. They’re both about selling your soul to the devil, in ‘Little Mermaid’ it’s a squid and this it’s a carnivorous plant. So it’s interesting, it’s a fun show. Like I said, the big thing that drives every show I pick is the talent that I have and I had a great group of kids who could vocally do this show I felt like, and have learned the characters very well.”

While audience members may come for the large plant, Pierson believes they will leave the show wowed by the talent displayed from the student cast. Performances of “Little Shop of Horrors” are this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Hear more about the production during Monday and Tuesday’s Halcyon House Washington Page on air and at kciiradio.com.