NAPPANEE  – “Little Shop of Horrors” will open The Round Barn Theatre’s season on Wednesday, April 9. Based on the low-budget 1960 film of the same name, “Little Shop of Horrors” tells the tale of a nerdish florist who finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.

The story centers around Seymour, a hapless horticultural nerd who toils in a rundown failing florist shop on Skid Row, his love interest Audrey, and a carnivorous plant who he names Audrey II. “Little Shop of Horrors” is a laughable send-up to B-movie horror flicks, which blends 1950s girl-group pop, doo-wop and early Motown soul with a saucy trio of girl singers.

The musical features an excellent book by Howard Ashman, a 1974 Indiana University graduate and an outstanding score by Tony and Academy Award winning composer Alan Menken, featuring several well known tunes, including the title song, “Skid Row (Downtown),” “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour.”

Leading the cast of this prolific rock musical will be The Round Barn Theatre Company Manager and perennial leading man, Joe Ford. Ford first appeared on the Joseph Stein stage in 1996, and has starred in many of the Round Barn’s biggest hits.

Joining Ford will be returning alumni Matthew C. Scott as Mushnik, Sarah Philabaum and Nicole Tompkins as Chiffon and Crystal respectively, and Round Barn Theatre newcomer Millicent Martin as Audrey. This “cult classic” of the Regional Theatre circuit will be directed and choreographed by Round Barn Theatre Artistic Director Jeremy Littlejohn, with Travis Smith returning for his fourth season as music director.

“Little Shop of Horrors” opens Wednesday, April 9, and continues through Sunday, May 25, with 2 p.m. matinees and 8 p.m. evening performances.

All patrons are invited to join the cast of “Little Shop of Horrors” and the staff of Amish Acres for an opening night reception, which includes wine, cheese, information about the show and a toast to opening night. The reception will take place in the Wine Tasting Loft in the Restaurant Barn from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. April 9. The cast, director and Round Barn Theatre staff will be mingling during a meet and greet and also readily available to give you their insight into the production.

Following “Little Shop of Horrors” and running in repertory with “Plain and Fancy” will be “Footloose,” “Little Women the Broadway musical,” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Fall Harvest Days will bring the Pulitzer Prize winning “Diary of Anne Frank” to the Joseph Stein Stage, and for the holidays, everyone’s favorite ogre, “Shrek The Musical” Season tickets remain on sale and children 4-11 are free with the purchase of an adult season ticket.