The Butler Little Theatre opens its 81st season with a very funny and timely show. “Social Security,” running through Oct. 8.

This show now has the honor of being the very first production bearing a corporate sponsorship by New Haven Court, which is fitting, as this show is for a business that primarily serves the elderly community with assisted living and memory care services.

Don Shearer returns to BLT as the director of “Social Security,” breathing life into this charming, albeit slightly risqué, comedy by Andrew Bergman.

The show revolves around two sisters, their aging mother and the decision of who will care for her when an unexpected crisis arises in the lives of the current caretakers. One sister, Trudy, feels she has borne the brunt of taking care of their archetypal Jewish mother, while the other sister, Barbara, is more than happy to pay for anything, so long as mom remains with her sister.

The author plays upon the obvious contrast between the two sisters — one being an uptight straight arrow, while the other embodies a New York City socialite.

This could make for a not-so-comfortable evening’s entertainment if not for the delightful banter between David (Rik Medic) and Barbara (Samantha Drohan) who jab and joke with each other very convincingly, as longtime married couples do.

They are then equally filled with fear and forbearance with the thought of Barbara’s sister and brother-in-law coming to tell them “something important.”

Medic and Drohan display and an easy chemistry with each other that makes watching the two characters seem like a fun couple anyone would love to spend an evening with.

Barbara’s straight-laced sister, Trudy, is played by BLT newcomer Amy Schultz, who does a great job representing the one who feels just a little left behind. The deadpan CPA brother-in-law, Martin, well portrayed by Jeff Myers, is quietly waiting for his chance while always focused on the bottom line.

The audience can feel that this couple may have something brewing, as we later learn is the case.

Theater veteran Susan Allardice plays the women’s aging mother, Sophie. She is wonderful to watch as she emerges from her cocoon to turn into a butterfly. Allardice’s portrayal of Sophie is just marvelous.

John Henry Steelman, as the great artist Maurice Koenig, plays a smaller role but steals his scene and is perfectly cast as Sophie’s surprising love interest.

Overall, the cast brings their roles to life with good comic timing and interesting character trajectories, so all in all, a good evening.

Danyle Verzinskie performed her magic again and has produced another lovely show.

Shearer is to be commended for his interpretation of the script, which if left in someone else’s hands, could have gone dark or sad. Through the director’s inspired vision, he allows us to witness a girl grow up, another woman find her strength, and an older woman become alive again with love — how wonderful.

Shearer and company took advantage of every opportunity to make the audience laugh and create a wonderful and fun theatrical escape at the BLT.

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