Lewis Black's ONE SLIGHT HITCH Reading Will Come to Westport Country Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand reading of comedian and playwright Lewis Black's lively and insightful comedy, “One Slight Hitch,” directed by Kevin O'Rourke, on Monday, May 4, at 7 p.m.  

“I've been onstage screaming at audiences for years about everything that's wrong, and I thought, ‘OK, here - let's just have a good time,'” said Black. “I wanted to write something where people could sit back and laugh and recognize themselves in it.”

Black's inspiration for writing “One Slight Hitch” was an invitation he received from a woman he had dated years ago to attend her wedding. “That really blew my mind,” he said. “I thought, ‘What if I did go?' That was the beginning of the idea - what would happen if someone from the past suddenly showed up on a day that's supposed to be completely planned out.” 

“One Slight Hitch” centers on Courtney's wedding day. Her mom, Delia, is determined that everything is perfect - the groom, the dress, and the decorations (assuming they arrive). But when an unexpected guest from Courtney's past shows up, her father scrambles to keep him out of sight and get the day back on track. As tensions rise and secrets spill, the carefully planned celebration unravels into classic farcical chaos. Set against the backdrop of 1980s Ohio, this is a fast-paced look at family, love, the illusion of control, and the need to sometimes just give in and say, “so much for perfect!”

Playwright Lewis Black has written “The Laundry Hour,” “The Czar of Rock and Roll,” “Nightfall,” and “The Deal,” to name a few. His television appearances include his regular “Back in Black” segment on “The Daily Show,” host of his own show “The Root of All Evil,” and “The Big Bang Theory.” He's been in the films “Man of the Year,” “Unaccompanied Minors,” and “Accepted.” A published author, he has written three New York Times best sellers: “Nothing's Sacred,” “Me of Little Faith,” and “I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas.” As a stand-up, he performs in theaters throughout the country and the world. Most recently, he appeared on Broadway in his newest stand-up show: “Running on Empty.” His comedy CDs have won two Grammys, and he's won an Emmy.

"Everyone loves Lewis Black for his razor-sharp stand-up, his incredibly funny books, and his unforgettable appearances on ‘The Daily Show',” said Mark Shanahan, Script in Hand series curator and Playhouse artistic director. “But he's also a remarkably funny playwright, and ‘One Slight Hitch' proves it, crafting a farce that feels both wildly entertaining and all too familiar to anyone who's ever navigated family, love, or the chaos of a wedding day. Get ready for an evening of rollicking laughter and just the right touch of heartfelt truth.” 

The eight-member cast will be announced soon.

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