Butler Little Theatre is preparing “Run for Your Wife” by Ray Cooney for its opening May 9.

The British farce is the tale of a taxi driver who gets away with having two wives in different areas of London because of his irregular work schedule. Complication is piled upon complication as the cabby tries to keep his double life from exploding.

The two-timing taxi driver is being played by Ethan Eberle of Butler.

“I play John Smith, the man who has two homes and two wives. He's a bit of an onion this one, or like garlic that you think is grass till you mash it or hit it with the lawn mower,” said Eberle, who actually auditioned for a different role. “The producers and director thought I'd be better as John.”

One of the two wives, Mary Smith, is played by Stephanie Kobil of Butler.

“She is a very traditional wife who loves taking care of her husband. She is kind, humble and understanding of her husband's unusual work schedule as a taxi driver,” Kobil said.

“Incorporating quick dialogue, a British accent and physical comedy is definitely a challenge,” she said.

“The show is so funny that staying in character and not laughing during rehearsals has been hard too,” she added, noting that it's more fast paced than shows she has done in the past.

The other wife, Barbara, is being played by Amy Evans, who was born and raised in England and now resides in Bellevue, Allegheny County.

“Though similar to the other wife, Barbara is less restrained, more outgoing, much more in touch with her sensual side,” Evans said.

“I was born and raised in England, so I grew up with that 'British' style of humor — which I love,” said Evans, who was eager to audition for the show.

She thinks she will contrast well with Kobil. “We both bring our own style to our respective characters,” said Evans.

Detective Sergeant Troughton, a Wimbledon plain clothes policeman, is played by Dan McCarty of Butler.

“I'm one of two detectives who are investigating the mugging of John Smith. I'm somewhat more of the serious investigator than my fellow detective,” McCarty said of his role.

Greg Crawford of Fairview Township tackles the role of nosy neighbor.

“I play Stanley, John and Mary's upstairs neighbor. Stanley is not overly ambitious. He'd like to think of himself as funny. He is also a bit intrusive but he does mean well,” said Crawford, who thinks he and his character share the same sense of humor.

“The show is fast paced and clever with some great belly laughs. It will be interesting to see how the audience responds.”

Bobby Franklyn, another neighbor, is being played by Bob Meals of Butler.

“Bobby's job in the show is to provide a fresh set of eyes for the audience to view the shenanigans,” he said.

Meals took the opportunity to do the show to be directed by his longtime friend and acting mate, Thom Bennett of Portersville.

Bennett has been acting for 32 years. He has performed the title role three times but this go-round opted for directing, along with McCarty.

The show also features Doug Anderson and Jana Semler, who is also producing.

<b>WHO: </b>Butler Little Theatre<b>WHAT: </b>“Run for Your Wife” by Ray Cooney<b>WHEN: </b>May 9 to 17, 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday<b>WHERE: </b>Butler Little Theatre, 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