Once upon a time, there was a pretty, little girl named Rhoda (played by Lauren Wearsch) who had a dark secret. She was born without a conscience and has committed murders to get what she wants at the moment.

Rock Canyon High School theater students, directed by Cindy Baker, are presenting “The Bad Seed,” Maxwell Anderson’s adaptation of the startling novel by William March, which was popular in the 1950s and beyond. It raised questions about heredity which continue to be discussed.

The play revolves around Rhoda’s mother, Christine, (Quinn Kennedy) and her growing realization that Rhoda is a sociopath, capable of murdering again.

The father, Kenneth, is played by Zach Rickert, and the audience will meet Hortense Daigle (Algelica Del Franco), the alcohol-prone grieving mother of Rhoda’s first victim, who drowned, and the child’s father, Dwight, (Matt Dunkley).

Rhoda is angered by the janitor Leroy, who suspects that she is not all sweetness and light and taunts her. She eliminates him from the picture.

Morgan Hays plays Leroy at Rock Canyon.

Rhoda’s teacher, Miss Fern, is played by Katt Domingue; Stephanie Higgins is Monica Breedlove; Syd Charvat is Regina Tasker; Nathan Nelson is Richard Bravo and Logan Shafer is Emory Wages.

It is revealed eventually that the adopted Rhoda is actually the offspring of a murderess. Can this trait be inherited? Can an adoptive mother accept that her child has these chilling qualities? If so, how can she respond?

This production promises a chilling evening. Not appropriate for kids, obviously.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 1 at Rock Canyon High School, MacArthur Ranch Road and Quebec in Highlands Ranch Tickets cost $8/$6, 303-387-3160, at the door.