From the left, Chase Mayer as Ben, Laura Miller as Barbara and Nick Sandy as Johnny in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players presentation of the “Night of the Living Dead,” which opens 7:30 p.m. Friday at Players Theater in Marietta. The Halloween shows are also scheduled 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo Provided)

They’re coming to get us.

“Night of the Living Dead” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday for a three-day Halloween run at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players in Marietta. Shows also are scheduled 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $10 each and are available in advance at midohiovalleyplayers.com or at the box office 90 minutes before each show at the playhouse, 229 Putnam St.

A mysterious radiation turns the unburied dead into flesh-eating zombies. People trapped in a farmhouse surrounded by zombies begin to turn on each other as the dead rise and surround them.

The play blends horror, dark humor and action in a story written by Lori Allen Ohm based on the 1968 horror movie classic of the same name by John Russo and George Romero.

“Night of the Living Dead” that opens 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players in Marietta. The play, based on the 1968 movie classic “Night of the Living Dead,” also will be presented 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Players Theater, 229 Putnam St. (Photo Provided)

Director Karen Paskawych directed the show in 2014 at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players with her husband Kevin Paskawych and saw much success, so they decided to bring it back nearly a decade later. Kevin is her assistant director.

“It’s going to be creepier than before and scarier,” she said.

Chase Mayer, who plays Ben, the protagonist of the play, is no stranger to the Players stage or the show.

“It’s pretty surreal playing this character as he is my absolute favorite role I’ve ever played,” Mayer said. “I couldn’t wait to audition because I grew a love for the zombie scene nine years ago when I played a deputy in our 2014 production.”

Mayer thinks audiences will love this play as much as the cast does.

“If you’re a big horror fan, what better event than to go see one of the most classic cult horror shows of all time live on stage,” he said.

In addition to familiar faces, the show also stars several newcomers. Among those is Nick Sandy, who plays the opinionated yet caring and protective Johnny.

“I have always been interested in trying my hand in acting and I am a big fan of horror,” Sandy said. “When I heard they were holding auditions for ‘Night Of The Living Dead’ I figured it would be a great opportunity to get my foot in the door.”

Another new face is Kasidi Dye, playing Dead Girl on the Stairs, the unnamed owner of the house where the cast finds themselves locked in for safety.

“I was invited by a friend who was a little bit nervous to go alone and when I got there I really enjoyed the energy of everyone,” she said.

Dye has enjoyed working with Paskawych.

“She welcomes our input on what we think our characters are like as people,” Dye said. “As far as I can tell it has really helped, especially the new actors, feel comfortable practicing these roles when we can relate to how these characters would be in real life.”

Paskawych and her husband are sponsoring the show with their company Paskawych Entertainment. All money brought in through ticket sales will go toward the theater and the shows to come for the rest of the season.

Those other shows include the Youth Players production of “A Christmas Carol,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) (Again])” Death of a Salesman,” “Carrie: The Musical” and “Eurydice.”

“Night of the Living Dead” is presented with special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Co., Woodstock, Ill.

The cast is: Chase Mayer, Ben; Laura Miller, Barbara; Nick Sandy, Johnny; Sterling Mayer, Harry Cooper; Emily Shannon, Helen Cooper; Gabby Schall/Ryanne Shannon, Karen Cooper; Shroom Moellendick, Tom; Ella Wells, Judy; Jedd Butler, Chief McClellan; Rebecca Maciag, Dr. Grimes; Aaron Paige, Bill Bardough; Alley George, radio announcer/news anchor/zombie in cemetery; Kasidi Dye, dead girl on the stairs.