By Susan Manning

Staff Writer

If you’re planning to attend the Washington Street players next performance, expect the unexpected. There will be laughter, unexpected twists, and an overall good time.

The theater company is performing. “Didn’t See That Coming,” by Mark Harvey Levine.

Produced by Nate Callahan, the performance states are Nov. 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23. All shows are at 7:30 PM, except Nov. 17, which is at 6:30 PM.

The show features a pop-up wedding in an airline terminal, a series of alarming fortune cookie messages and an unexpected otherworldly guest crashes a dinner party. Nineteen actors, eight of whom are from Holliston, along with four directors will bring this show to life.

According to the Players’ website, “these are just a few of the absurdly hilarious scenes featured in Didn’t See That Coming, a collection of short comedies by Mark Harvey Levine.”

The Washington Street Players will turn Holliston’s Town Hall into a unique setting – a cabaret style club complete with refreshments and cocktails — in order to present the variety of short stories.

“We needed a play that didn’t have a big set and could be rehearsed at multiple locations, (because Town Hall was hosting early voting), and also would be a crowd pleaser. I had directed scenes from this director in the past, and he let us add and subtract a few pieces to tailor it to us,” said Player member Karen Dinehart.

According to her, the theme of the performance lent itself to the unique set up of the venue.

“Because of the theme we are doing things a little bit differently, from the seating arrangement, to the scene changes to the addition of a cash bar. I am looking forward to the audiences reactions to these well written scripts and our interpretations of them. During this stressful time I think everyone will appreciate a night to relax and laugh.”

To bring the community into community theater, each show since the Covid pandemic, there has been a partnership with a local organization.

“For ever show since Covid, we have spotlighted another nonprofit organization to try to give back to the community. Our spotlight this time will be “Toys for Tots”, so we are asking people who can, to bring an unwrapped toy to the show and we will deliver them to the police department,” Dinehart said.

According to its website, Holliston has been home to its full-time, active community theater group – Washington Street Players, since 1995. The nonprofit Massachusetts corporation brings new members and new friends together from Holliston as well as from neighboring communities. Everyone in WSP does everything—no one carries the exclusive designation of “actor” or “director” or “set designer”. 

All Performances will be at Holliston Town Hall, 703 Washington St., Holliston.