The 75th anniversary celebration continues for Butler Little Theatre as it presents “Crimes of the Heart” by Beth Henley starting Jan. 22.

The tale takes place in Hazlehurst, Miss., where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital.

Throw in an awkward lawyer and crazy cousin (Renee DiAlesandro) and their troubles often turn from grave to hilarious.

“Crimes of the Heart” won the Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award with good reason. The play explores how people escape the past and seize the future.

The play is under the direction of Lester Malizia who is a guest artist at Westminster College. “It is a play that speaks to the importance of family and letting go of your past to redeem your future,” he said.

Malizia has pulled together three strong ladies to play the Magrath sisters and assembled a delightful supporting cast.

Megan Flannery of Butler is taking on the role of Meg Magrath.

“Meg is the middle sister, an aspiring artist that moved to L.A. to pursue her singing career,” said Flannery.

“She's wounded, but strong. She has experienced a lot of pain and sorrow throughout her life, but still has a caring nurturing way about her, especially toward her younger sister Babe,” she said.

Flannery is no stranger to the stage and said this is the type of role she enjoys.

“I like playing characters that are strong and independent-minded, so I feel that is one of the strengths I bring to Meg,” Flannery said.

Whitney Ann Jenkins of Butler is portraying Babe Bortrelle, the youngest of the three sisters.

“Babe is a very intriguing character to play because she has so many layers and goes through so many emotions at a rapid speed at times it almost feels manic,” said Jenkins of her role.

“Throughout the play, the tensions and stakes for her are very high and this forces her to revel in her own self-discovery,” she added.

Jenkins said her ability to balance the fine line between comedy and drama lends credibility to the role. She returns to the stage after a yearlong hiatus while she has been pursuing music endeavors and is glad to be back on stage.

“When it isn't in my life, I feel like a part of myself is missing and I shouldn't wait so long to return next time,” she said.

Cast in the role of the older sister, Lenny Magrath, is Alison Carey of Butler.

“At the beginning of the play, Lenny seems like a bit of a doormat. She's the sister who stayed at the family homestead to take care of her aging grandfather,” Carey said.

Lenny set aside her needs to tend to those of her family and finds herself a lonely, aging spinster.

“But as the play develops, we see some surprising strength and energy in Lenny brought about by the strange circumstances of the story,” she said.

Carey said she is thrilled to be acting in a show with her husband, Jeff. She last appeared in “Spoon River Anthology” at Paper Sky Theater in Grove City.

Jeff Carey of Butler dons the role of Doc Porter. Carey is an English teacher in the Penn Hills School District and has just come off back-to-back shows. He was in Prime Stage Theater's production of the “The Crucible” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at Stage Right.

“Doc is the laid-back, small-town, past love interest, plot device catalyst for character development for Meg Magrath in the play,” he said of his latest role.

The show has given him the opportunity to observe, he said.

“I've learned to be patient again by playing a supporting role. Seriously though, sometimes, while playing larger roles, you aren't put in the position to sit back and wait and watch,” he said.

Portraying Barnette Lloyd in “Crimes of the Heart” is Travis Ascione of Neshannock Township. The Westminster College theater major said he enjoys the role of this likable fellow.

“Barnette is a very genuine guy. He's smart, kindhearted, a little awkward, kind of a shmuck, but very genuine,” said Ascione.

“The strengths that I bring to the role are my emotional availability, vulnerability, and a sense of empathy that mirrors the character,” he said.

He last appeared as Russ/Dan in “Clybourne Park” at Westminster in November.

Producing the show is retired secondary English teacher Pat Bell of Center Township. In addition to organizing the 27 pages of props, she is steadfast in her support of the director's vision of the show.

“A producer's job in local theaters, as I see it, is at the helm, making sure everything works together to help the director's vision of a production realize fruition,” Bell said.

This will be Bell's third time working with Malizia on a production at the BLT. Their familiarity is what makes them a good duo to pull off this show, she said.

“My philosophy in a production, especially for local theater, is a solid team effort. From the actors to the crew to the publicity, everyone should always know what is going on in this process, so that everyone has an equal share in its success,” she said.

“Butler audiences should come to see the delicate balance created by the director, Lester Malizia, and production staff of perceived Southern charm and the crushing weight of day-to-day circumstances brought to life by some very talented actors,” said Jeff Carey.

WHO: Butler Little TheatreWHAT: “Crimes of the Heart”WHEN: Jan. 22 to 30, at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayWHERE: Butler Little Theatre, One Howard St.TICKETS: $12, call 724-287-6781 from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays through FridaysINFORMATION: www.bltgroup.org