The Butler Little Theatre begins 2011 with the Arthur Miller drama “All My Sons.”

The show will open Jan. 21 and run through Jan. 29 at the BLT at One Howard St.

“All My Sons” is a story of the Deevers and the Kellers and their impact on World War II and the subsequent lives of two families.

In the play, Joe Keller and Herbert Deever run a machine shop during the war which makes airplane parts, some of which turned out to be defective. One man went to prison while the other remained free.

“I've read the play many times since college and always loved the play and its message,” said Jerry Johnston, who is directing the production.

“I enjoyed the old movie with Burt Lancaster and Edward G. Robinson but never saw the play,” Johnston said. “Arthur Miller has created a classic tragedy out of something so American.”

Bill Geibel, the show's producer, said audiences can expect strong performances from a veteran cast along with a few actors new to the BLT stage.

“I think the audience will like it,” Geibel said. “I saw it produced while attending a convention and remember enjoying it.”

Playing the role of Sue Bayliss, wife of the town doctor, is Rikki Stupka of Butler.

“She (Sue) tends to be jealous and is overly concerned with money,” Stupka said, noting that the role is fun because Bayliss is mean.

Stupka shares the stage again with her son Gabriel who is 10 and attends McQuistion Elementary. He enjoys the role of Bert, a neighbor boy, because he gets to bounce around and be hyper.

Alison Carey of Butler plays Kate Keller.

“Kate is a fascinating character. She lost one son in the war but, since his body was never found, she is convinced he is still alive somewhere,” Carey said. “I auditioned for Kate thinking I had no chance because Kate is 60 and I am 39.”

Carey said she saw the show when her husband was in it and was fascinated by Kate. “In the back of my mind, I hoped that I would get the opportunity to play her one day. I just didn't think it would happen this time,” she said. Ironically Carey actually plays mother to her husband's role of Chris Keller.

“Chris Keller is a good example of the all-American, small town kid,” said Alison's husband, Jeff Carey. “His naiveté allows him to be very optimistic and idealistic about the world.

“He dynamically changes when he sees all the secrets behind the curtain that fuels that pastoral outlook,” Carey added, noting that he auditioned specifically for this role.

When Jeff Carey last appeared in the show, he played the antagonist. “I am actually learning more about the character of Chris than I originally thought I had,” he said.

Carey said the play is relevant and timely. “It has relevancy concerning modern political and international conflicts (and) really hits home with a lot of people. War, profiteering, and bad decisions driven by nationalism make great drama,” he said.

Whitney Ann Jenkins of Winfield Township auditioned for the role of Ann Deever, the jailed businessman's daughter.

“Ann has a lot going on,” Jenkins said.

“Her father is in prison, her former lover died during the war, and she has feelings for his brother, Chris Keller,” said Jenkins, who said that despite everything Ann is an optimist.

Jenkins is happy to share the stage with her father, who hasn't been on stage since high school.

“I play Dr. Jim Bayliss,” said Junior Jenkins. “The experience has been overwhelming. I am totally in awe of the talent and professionalism. You don't realize what goes into a show until you are part of it.”

Returning to the stage for the first time since graduating in May from Point Park University is Jud Michael Stewart who tackles the role of George.

“He's on the brink of losing it. His family has been handed a lousy deck while the Kellers only profited from past mistakes,” said Stewart. “He is at a point in his life where he has been through the hell of war only to return home and find his family has completely fallen apart,” Stewart said.

The show also features Doug Anderson, Megan Flannery and Phillip Ball.

<B>WHO:</B> Butler Little Theatre<B>WHAT:</B> “All my Sons”<B>WHEN:</B> Jan. 21 to 29 with curtain at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.<B>WHERE:</B> One Howard St.<B>TICKETS:</B> $10, available by calling 724-287-6781 from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.<B>INFO:</B> www.bltgroup.org