Phrases like “comic, but horrific” … “sweet, but gory” … and “thought provoking,” are offered when cast members of “Little Shop of Horrors” attempt to describe their upcoming musical.

“It’s certainly an unconventional story,” said director Kim Barber Knoll in explanation.

Sounds like a gross understatement.

Juxtaposing such wide-ranging adjectives, however, seems the only way to adequately describe a theater sensation that blends musical comedy camp with sci-fi horror, a blend that will arrive on the Price Theater stage on Oct. 17.

“Little Shop” is a 1960s send-up of an old science fiction film. When a florist shop clerk discovers an out-of-this-world plant, anything seems possible, including winning the girl of his dreams. Turns out, the plant has other ideas.

With music and lyrics by acclaimed Disney duo Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, the musical made its off-Broadway debut in 1982 and earned the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. It enjoyed a Broadway revival in 2003.

“The music—that’s what I love most about it,” said Allen Cheney, a junior music major who performs the role of florist clerk Seymour.

He and senior theatre arts major Ali Grieb, as Audrey, play the star-crossed leading pair, and they’ve been working hard to perfect the dark comedy.

Because of the show’s funny but macabre message, “It has to work perfectly, or the tone and style of humor we’re trying to establish isn’t clear,” she said. “It has to be very well oiled.”

To get that fluidity, the cast has been burning the midnight lamplight.

“We have been here rehearsing since September 4th, working at least from 6 to 10 on weeknights, and Saturdays from 10 to 2,” said Barber Knoll, Chair of the Theatre Arts Department. “One evening, we spent four hours on 13 pages. The challenge is finding the balance between the energy and humor of ‘camp’ and the truth and sincerity in these very extreme characters.”

Another hurdle for the cast is the overt theatricality of the production, which incorporates elaborate costumes, intricate staging, multiple set changes—and puppets.

In its final full-bloomed glory, the anti-hero of the show is a weighty, human-sized plant puppet, brought to life by College basketball player Nic Whitfield. He watched the film based on the musical as a youth, and couldn’t pass up the chance to be in the show.

“It’s my favorite,” he said.

He concedes that donning the 70-pound costume daily could provide good physical conditioning for the upcoming season.

Rounding out the student cast are three freshmen and one senior: Lauren Strickland, Jocelyn Martin and Laura Hennesy, who provide the insightful narrative and Supremes-like vocals of the Ronnettes, and senior Joshua Williams, who carries multiple roles as part of one of the show’s running gags.

Community member Neal Brumbeloe appears as Mr. Mushnik, and local Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Wally West makes his Price debut as the voice of the plant.

The show opens on Friday, Oct. 17, and includes 7:30 p.m. performances on Oct. 18 and 23 – 25, plus two matinees at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 and Oct. 25.   To order tickets, call the box office from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays at (706) 880-8080. Note that some language in the production may not be suitable for children.