The Butler Little Theatre opened its 69th season with a delightful comedy, "The Girls of the Garden Club" Friday night to a welcoming audience.

John Patrick's unique characters and witty wordy dialogue provided a fun trek into the world of horticulture, where anarchy, manipulation and upheaval abound.

Take a woman with an idea planted in her head, an ability to fertilize her plan with her friends, add a dozen or more other women and you have a garden of opportunity for scandal. The gals came together and swapped dirt on one another while cultivating a scheme that had potential.

Stephanie Kobil did quite well in her first staring role at the Butler Little Theatre. She sustained the energy to carry the role and was capable at covering a few minor glitches in flow. She was most enjoyable in the role of Rhoda, the garden club president want-to-be who had no problems digging in for her ultimate goal, a green house.

Kobil, who normally relies on hyper dramatic characters, did an admirable job as a woman with a plan.

Her poor husband, played by Dennis Whalen, had to let his face do the talking in this nonspeaking role. He adequately conveyed what he thought through is body language and expression. Fans were delighted in his last word.

Their daughter, Marigold, was played by young Taylor Smith, who was quite adept at sarcasm and banter. She was a perfect fit for the role.

Rhoda's best bud, Cora, was played by Katie Moore who obviously enjoyed her share of poking fun at the garden gang. Her timing and chemistry as she taunted and teased the members was enjoyable.

The dynamic duo of Evie and Dora, played by Rebecca Meals and Becky Plymale, was hysterical. It was most entertaining watching the couple play off one another, fabulous timing here. They garnered their fair share of laughs.

And speaking of laughter, Roget's Thesaurus needs to add Sue Switzer to its synonym listing. Switzer played Birdie, or Dirtie Birdie, whose comments were more often below the belt than above, but her delivery was hysterical. She was so feisty and witty the audience had no choice but to reward her lines with laughter.

Roberta Tritch made a successful return to the stage in her role of Lillybelle, the phony French speaking diva and resident president of the garden club who was more about the title than about the tilling of the soil. Tritch dusted off her acting chops and turned in a commendable performance.

Also turning in some noteworthy bits were Bonnie Cahill as the correcting Clara. She had the school-marm role down quite well. Casey Evanko also had her fun moment on stage with her role of Zelda.

Rikki Stupka was sweet and entertaining in her role of Dede, the over-the-top flower child of the group.

The show was extremely well cast and a lot of fun.