The clash of values and vices hits the stage at the Butler Little Theatre Friday.

Five solid actors bring to life an eerily timely tale of hostile takeover and various responses to change.

It's a tale spun about predatory big business and the small-town, family owned, community-operated companies, a theme that resonates locally.

Bob Meals plays Wall Street tycoon Lawrence Garfinkle, infamously known as “Larry the Liquidator.”

His self-indulgence and boorish ways are the epitome of greed. Meals expertly conveys the stereotypical blood thirsty corporate raider. Though he compares himself to Robin Hood, he seriously comes off more greedy than good.

Rik Medic plays William Coles, a serious businessman who is wise and wary of the visitor from New York.

Medic capably conveys a man trapped between loyalty and self-preservation. He looked every inch the part and was relatable when his concerns were rebuffed.

He did a commendable job as the show's narrator offering the audience insight as the show progressed.

Dennis Casey played Andrew Jorgenson, the owner of New England Wire and Cable for the past 38 years.

He portrayed the tired, stubborn company-minded leader who is woefully behind the times.

He soared in the scene during the stockholders meeting where he bid for the opportunity for the company to remain independent of the takeover. His passion and verve were most convincing. The audience wanted him to be right.

His partner, Bea Sullivan, was played by Danyle S. Verzinskie.

Her loyalty, compassion and worry were palpable. Aside from a well-aimed doughnut, Verzinskie was compelling in the scene where she took Garfinkle to task regarding his takeover plans.

They reached out to Sullivan's daughter Kate for some advice.

Olivia Cox plays the Morgan Stanley attorney itching for a fight. Her feisty and saucy ways bring out the man in Garfinkle and their adversarial relationship develops into a conquest of a sexual nature. Their business becomes something more of a personal chess match.

The pace of the show is brisk with the second act seemingly quicker than the first.

The creative staging enables the show to maintain a pretty good clip.

Director Don Shearer should be proud of how the production unfolded. The show was incredulously timely and at times so realistic it was almost painful. It's a great insight into the world of corporate takeovers.

The show opens Friday and runs through Jan. 27. Reserve tickets cost $13.

WHO: Butler Little TheatreWHAT: “Other People's Money” by Jerry SternerWHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 19- 27WHERE: Butler Little Theatre, One Howard StreetTICKETS: $13 reserved. For reservations, call 724-287-6781 or select and reserve seats online at bltgroup.org. Limited tickets available at door on day of show.