A new twist is being put on an old classic at the Butler Little Theatre as the Summer Youth Production this year presents "Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle and William Gillette.

The show opens tonight and continues through Sunday at the theater at One Howard St.

Professor Moriarty, the villain in the production, is typically portrayed by a male, but in this production will be played by a girl named Casey Lazor.

"She's a very masculine, cold and layered villain. Her strength lies in her intelligence and her lack of compassion for anything," explained Lazor, who admitted the role is a challenge.

"Professor Moriarty is most commonly known as an older man, so adapting the character into a younger woman has been quite a thrill. I've got the opportunity to rebuild this character and give her depth, while maintaining that underlying coldness."

Lazor said she has learned about herself and her craft, which is exactly the purpose of the BLT Youth Production program.

"I've learned that I naturally carry myself femininely, both in my movements and how I stress certain words. It's been work detaching myself from those habits," Lazor said.

Three years ago, Barbara Shinn started the Youth Program at the BLT.

"It has really taken off. It provides a great opportunity for young people to come together to create art," said Emma Neely, who will play the role of Madge Larrabee in this production.

"It's really so rewarding to work under the guidance of the student directors, as well as Bob Snodgrass, who stepped in this year to oversee the entire project," she added. "The BLT summer production allows those who aren't as interested in singing and dancing to participate in theatre."

Neely's role as a kidnapper is as menacing as Lazor's. "It sounds horrible, but it's really interesting to try to tap into the mind of a truly evil character. Madge is absolutely sinister, and I find trying to convey that wonderfully challenging," Neely said.

"It's great to portray a character whose mentality is so different from mine," she added.

Kurt Stridinger of Adams Township will portray Sherlock's sidekick, Dr. Watson.

"He's essentially Holmes' only friend. Watson is a humble and introverted kind of guy, who also writes the famous Sherlock Holmes novels in the world of Sherlock Holmes," explained Stridinger.

"It's been a really great experience to play this character, because I, myself, am pretty introverted."

Watson's friend Sherlock Holmes will be played by Tylar Parker.

The show is under the direction of Sarah Huth of Butler. She will be a junior at Point Park University, where she is majoring in cinema and digital arts with a concentration in directing.

"Last semester at school I declared my concentration in directing and was chosen as one of seven student directors for our fall production program," Huth said. "Needless to say, despite the differences between film and theatre, now I'm thankful that I've had this experience to keep my directing skills fresh and polished over the summer."

"I prefer directing peers. I'm much more used to working with people my age, and it's much easier to relay personal experiences and relate to them," Huth said.

"As someone who comes from a strictly film background as far as directing is concerned, this allowed me to explore another medium, one which I probably never would have been able to venture into otherwise."

Huth has also enjoyed the cast and working with them has been enriching, she said.

"They truly love what they're doing, and we have all become a little family throughout this entire process. I'm so proud of them," she said.

A membership drive for the BLT's 69th season is under way. The shows and dates are posted at the Web site, www.bltgroup.org.

<B>WHO: </B>Butler Little Theatre youth production<B>WHAT: </B>"Sherlock Holmes"<B>WHEN: </B>Today through Sunday, with curtain at 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.<B>WHERE: </B>One Howard St.<B>TICKETS: </B>$10, available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St.<B>INFORMATION: </B>724-287-6781 or www.bltgroup.org