A timely take on morality, social justice, and how lives are intertwined through a chain of events. That's Butler Little Theatre's “An Inspector Calls,” which a preview audience viewed Wednesday. The show opens Friday and will run through March 21. As of presstime, the show is still scheduled to go onstage Friday.

If it were a book, it would garner the title “a real page turner,” but for a staged play, let's say no one looked at their watch during the show. The audience was glued to the fast-paced banter and twists and turns of the script.

Speaking of twists and turns, director Dennis Casey ended up playing Arthur Birling formerly assigned to Bob Meals, who dropped out of the show last Friday.

Casey wrangled the actors into a spot-on show while joining them on the boards.

This British thriller focuses on a privileged family celebrating an impending marriage until a visitor arrives causing them to question their actions.

Stefan Lingenfelter plays an intense Inspector Goole. Of course, his accent was on-target, and the powerful stage presence not only had the characters on edge but the audience as well.

The first one to be grilled was Arthur Birling played by Casey who put the pomp in pompous. He played the creepy capitalist who excelled in blame placing and wordy sermons. For being new to the role, he seemed quite comfortable.

Arthur's wife, Sybil, was played by his real wife, Nedra Casey. This fun grandma in real life, channeled her inner “mommy dearest” character to present a calloused snob with great aplomb. She credibly vacillated between guilt and pride with a tad of shame and chilling rants.

The Birling's son Eric was portrayed by Max Medford who harnessed the drunk rich brat role perfectly. He skillfully navigated the emotional rollercoaster his character required. The tall sarcastic lug had excellent chemistry with castmates.

Sarah Altomari tackled the role of his sister Sheila, a woman on the brink of a new chapter in her life. Little did she realize that chapter contained a major plot twist.

Altomari masterfully conveyed her transformation and self-discovery. The role required significant nonverbal cues which she delivered with ease. Her intended, Gerald Croft, was portrayed by Casey Bowser. Always steady, Bowser wove his magic throughout the role of fiancé whose past may have caught up with him.

WHO: Butler Little TheatreWHAT: “An Inspector Calls” written by J. B. PriestleyWHEN: March 13 to 21, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayWHERE: BLT, One Howard St., ButlerTICKETS: $13 online at ButlerLittleTheatre.com or at the door 45 minutes prior to curtain when available.