The cast and crew of the Butler Little Theatre is minding their p's and q's as they create one of Neil Simon's comedies for their winter offering. “Rose's Dilemma,” opening Jan. 24, is a play about writer's block.

The small cast of four will bring to life some interesting characters as a writer explores ways to get out of her funk and back onto the best-sellers list.

With her money running out and her fame drying up, her desperation creates quite the conundrum.

Amy Dittman of Butler plays the lead role of Rose. Dittman, an educator who recently moved to Butler, is a newcomer to the BLT stage.

“Rose Steiner is a wonderful broad, in the best sense of the word. I think Frank Sinatra would have liked to have her on his arm when he wasn't singing songs about her,” said Dittman of her character.

“She is smart, funny, incredibly intelligent and talented, and she doesn't shrink away from confrontation.”

Dittman has a love for old movies and rapid fire banter.

“I really like that quick comedic response matched with very dry humor and think I have been able to bring some of that quality to the show,” she said.

She prepared for her role by watching “Sunset Boulevard” and “Auntie Mame” whose leads embody some of Rose's characteristics.

This may be Dittman's first turn with the BLT, but she is no stranger to the stage.

She appeared as Sonya in a staged reading of “Uncle Vanya” in Ithaca, N.Y., and before moving to New York, she played Annie Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker” at the Barrow Civic Theater in Franklin.

Also playing a writer, but one much less accustomed to fame, will be Justin Anderson of Sarver.

“He only has one success. He's a bit arrogant and selfish for not having much success but throughout the show he shows more of a softer side where he shows to everyone that he may not be all that bad,” said Anderson.

“I auditioned for the show for two reasons. One, I'm a Neil Simon fan. Two, I had been off stage for almost 8 months, my longest gap between shows in some time,” he said.

Anderson's last Butler Little Theatre appearance was as Aldo Scalicki in “Italian American Reconciliation.”

Rose's assistant, Arlene, will be played by Knoch High School senior Shannon Donovan of Penn Township.

“She's fiery enough to keep up with Rose but cool enough to stay calm in difficult situations,” said Donovan of her character.

“I originally signed up to be the stage manager. But after reading the script, I couldn't resist. I was intrigued by the pain, humor and energy this show throws at the crowd.”

The show is under the direction of Katie Moore, who is making her directorial debut.

“It has been a fabulous experience. There is a great rapport among all of us,” Moore said. “We spent some time working on the relationships between the characters which I feel has added some depth to the performance.”

The production also stars veteran actor Doug Anderson. The producer is Jana Semler.

<B>WHO: </B>Butler Little Theatre<B>WHAT: </B>“Rose’s Dilemma”<B>WHEN: </B>Jan. 24 to Feb. 1, with curtain at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday<B>WHERE: </B>One Howard St.<B>TICKETS: </B>$10, available by calling 724-287-6781 between 7 and 9 p.m. weekdays<B>INFO: </B>www.bltgroup.org