The InstigatorChristmas Eve at the Douglas household is anything but peaceful. Between the holiday dinner, unexpected guests, and a pair of bumbling robbers, chaos and laughter collide in Pentacle Theatre’s season-closing production of In-Laws, Outlaws & Other People (That Should Be Shot). The show runs November 21 through December 13 and brings a spirited mix of comedy, heart, and holiday mayhem to Salem.
For director Karen McCarty, the appeal was instant.
“I was immediately drawn to the relationships among the in-laws,” she said. “They’re fun, a little annoying at times, and wonderfully quirky — very much like people we all know. Despite their quirks, they stick together and genuinely support one another.” She also loved the script’s surprising emotional depth. “When I first read it, the ending genuinely moved me. It completely snuck up on me in the best way.”
The play opens with the Douglas family prepping their annual Christmas Eve dinner, until two frazzled thieves burst in, fresh off a botched liquor store robbery, and demand the family “act normal.” What follows is a night full of surprises far from the kind of “normal” the criminals had in mind.
“This play is packed with comedy, with just a touch of drama woven in,” Karen said. “One of the funniest elements is how the criminals insist the family act normal — and the family takes that request seriously.”
“At its core, the story celebrates the true meaning of Christmas — compassion, generosity, and connection,” Karen said. “The chaos is half the fun. It makes the tender moments stand out even more.”
To help the fast-paced humor land, Karen asked the cast to create detailed backstories for their characters, an exercise that shaped everything from motivations to set dressing. “They came up with wonderfully rich histories,” she said. “This work helped the actors bond as a family and as neighbors, and made their characters truly believable.”
“For the design, my Technical Director, Chris Benham, my set dresser, Lisa Closner, and I researched the Brooklyn neighborhood of Fiske Terrace to ensure the set reflects the character of homes in this area,” she said. “With the expert guidance of my Assistant Director, Anthony Barghini, we’ve created an immersive environment that brings audiences right into that world.”
Karen also brought in the Fake Fight Company to choreograph the show’s physical moments. “They provided professional instruction that kept our actors safe without compromising any of the script’s intention or intensity.”
What Karen loves most, though, is the laughter, both onstage and off.
“This cast has kept me in stitches throughout rehearsals,” she said. “And our cast and crew are incredibly supportive. It has made rehearsals a place people genuinely look forward to after work or school.”
“With so much happening in our world, this story reminds us of the importance of giving, looking out for one another, and supporting those in need within our own community.”
Her hope is simple: “I imagine people nudging each other and whispering, ‘That’s our family.’ And I hope they leave inspired to give back or offer support to someone who may need it.”
In-Laws, Outlaws & Other People (That Should Be Shot)
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov 21-22, 26, 28-29, Dec 4-6, 10-13, and 2 p.m. Nov 23, 30, Dec 6-7
Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW
Click here for tickets.
Carlee Wright
