"Little Shop of Horrors," which opens at Serra Catholic High School April 17, represents a fresh beginning of sorts for the school's musical program as new director Jeanie Pass-Werner takes the helm.

New directors have been the rule for the past few years at Serra Catholic.

"We've had a new director every year since I can remember," said Nathan Sudie, who was the King of Siam and the student producer of last year's production of "The King and I." He said he felt the constant changes had made it more difficult to maintain the quality of the productions.

Now in his freshman year at Community College of Allegheny County South, Mr. Sudie is a production consultant on "Little Shop" and said he hopes Ms. Pass-Werner can restore some continuity to the musical program.

Mr. Sudie, 19 and a McKeesport resident, can be seen onstage as Bobby tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at CCAC South's production of "Company."

"I'd like to be here more than just this year," said Ms. Werner-Pass, who added that since Serra Catholic's enrollment has recently increased, the time might be right to found a drama club at the school.

A Serra Catholic alumna, Ms. Pass-Werner teaches music at St. Bede School in Pittsburgh and has directed children's theater at Bethel Park Community Center. She is 35 and lives in Munhall.

She said she wasn't sure what to expect for "Little Shop" auditions, but was pleasantly surprised when more than 50 students turned up. "Pretty amazing when you consider the school only has 300-some kids," she said.

Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the same duo responsible for Disney's "Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast," "Little Shop" tracks the rise of nerdy Seymour Mushnik, a Skid Row flower shop assistant, when he discovers a strange, fast-growing plant he calls Audrey II. But his popularity comes at a cost -- the plant feeds on human blood, and Seymour's running out.

Songs like "Suddenly Seymour" and "Somewhere That's Green" pay tribute to the doo-wop and early Motown songs of the 1960s.

With a cast of 35, Ms. Werner-Pass said she's added parts and changed some solos to ensemble numbers in order to include more students, and that both seniors and younger performers have featured roles.

Freshman Joe Penzelik plays Seymour opposite senior Megan Piplica's Audrey. Both Ms. Piplica and Kaitlyn Findley, who plays Crystal, have been in several of Serra Catholic's musicals.

Senior Jeff Rodgers plays florist Mushnik while senior Tesa Gould plays Chiffon. Freshman Brooke Perkins plays Ronnette and sophomore Jordan Oeler plays Orin, the abusive dentist.

No information was available on the budget for the show, but Ms. Pass-Werner said fund raising is an important source of income for the program. Program ads and ticket sales make up the rest.

Mr. Sudie said although he would miss it, he won't be assisting with Serra Catholic's musical next year. After five years of involvement, he said, "I'm going to let others take over. But I wish them the best."

"Little Shop of Horrors" plays at Serra Catholic High School auditorium, 200 Hershey Drive, McKeesport at 7:30 p.m. on April 17, 18 and 19. Tickets are $8, $5 for students. Call 412-751-2020.