It's a classic girl-meets-ghoul love story, and you're invited to see it play out on stage at Columbia High School when the theater program presents "Zombie Prom." The musical will be performed at the school, 901 Ironville Pike, on Thursday, March 23, through Saturday, March 25, at 7 p.m., with an additional performance on Saturday at 2 p.m.

"This show is about a bad boy named Jonny, who falls in love with a good girl named Toffee," explained senior Allie Unkow, who plays Joey, one of Jonny's friends. Toffee's parents do not approve of Jonny, so the pair breaks up, leading Jonny to take drastic measures. "He storms off and accidently falls into nuclear waste," Allie stated. Jonny is turned into a zombie, but he returns to school determined to graduate and even more determined to take Toffee to prom.

"His return sort of sets off a civil war in the school," Allie revealed. "The boys want Jonny back, and the girls try to shield Toffee from Jonny." Eventually, however, the students unite in time for a happy ending.

Set in the 1950s, the show is a send-up of the teen romances popular in that decade. "This show is full of upbeat, '50s-style rock," said Ciara Ramos, a senior who portrays Ginger. "Audiences can expect to be dancing in their seats."

Even though the show takes place well before any of the cast members were born, the students can still relate to its themes, Ciara stated. "I think people will see themselves in the characters," she noted. "There's the nerdy kids, the jocks, the cheerleaders and your average kids. It's very representative of what high school was like, at least what it was like in the 1950s."

Allie noted that the musical is full of catchy songs that will keep audiences entertained, adding, "You'll have a couple of laughs, and you'll hear songs that will be stuck in your head for weeks."

Ciara summed up "Zombie Prom" by emphasizing that audiences might find parts of it familiar. "It's sort of a 'Grease'-type show," she said. "If you love 'Grease' with a little bit of zombies thrown in, you will love this show."

Tickets for "Zombie Prom" will be available at the door, with a discount for senior citizens and students. Admission is free for children under age 5.