Saint Lucian creatives prepare to bring ‘A Twisted Christmas’ to the stage

Saint Lucia’s burgeoning local performance troupe Open Waters Theatre is gearing up to debut its landmark fifth full-length stage production this November, carrying forward the signature creative formula that has earned the company a fast-growing loyal fan base across the island. Helmed by award-winning local playwright and director Tito Adams, the upcoming show titled *A Twisted Christmas* promises to deliver the same beloved, carefully balanced fusion of heartfelt dramatic beats, laugh-out-loud situational comedy, and unflinching, thought-provoking social critique that has defined every one of the company’s prior successful runs. Centered around a seemingly ordinary family holiday gathering that descends into chaos after a cascade of unforeseen, explosive personal revelations upends every festive tradition the group planned to uphold, the narrative dives deep into nuanced, universally relatable themes: the quiet complexities of modern fatherhood, the often-fraught unspoken bonds between parents and their adult children, and the devastating ripple effects of romantic infidelity on extended family units. In a recent exclusive interview with the *St Lucia Times*, Adams dropped a tantalizing teaser for ticket holders, revealing the production will feature a carefully crafted supernatural character designed to keep audiences leaning forward in their seats, guessing at every unexpected plot turn. The show will run for two public performances at the island’s National Cultural Centre: a Sunday matinee and evening slot on November 22, and a full Saturday showcase on November 28, headlined by a tight-knit ensemble of nine performers. The cast includes several fan-favorite recurring talents who have starred in Open Waters Theatre’s past hits, such as seasoned local actors Tevin Auguste and Keri Franklin. Adams explained that the choice to prioritize retaining long-time troupe members is a deliberate, creative strategic decision, not a random one, as he works to build sustainable, long-term momentum for the rapidly expanding local theatre collective. “I made it a priority to keep our core team intact specifically for the sake of organic on-stage chemistry, so every interaction our audience sees on the stage feels fully authentic, not rehearsed or forced,” he shared with local reporters. This production stays fully aligned with the artistic mission Adams first laid out publicly back in 2024, ahead of the debut of the troupe’s third hit show *Family Ties*, when he emphasized that local theatre’s greatest power lies in its ability to draw public attention to pressing, underdiscussed social issues while delivering deeply entertaining experiences that keep the island’s live playmaking tradition alive and thriving. Looking far beyond the upcoming two-show run, Adams shared his long-term vision for Open Waters Theatre: he aims to grow the collective into a fully established, permanent cultural institution that can offer stable, full-time paid employment for all its cast members, backstage crew and creative staff. “My ultimate goal is to cultivate a robust, thriving local theatre culture right here in Saint Lucia, where local audiences get just as excited and anticipatory for our new homegrown productions as Broadway crowds get for opening nights in New York. Most of all, I want to give our island’s talented creative professionals a fair, consistent opportunity to showcase their craft and earn proper, livable compensation for the work they pour their lives into.” The troupe’s two most recent prior productions, 2024’s *Family Ties* and 2025’s fan favorite *The Chillout*, earned rave audience reviews and sold-out runs, cementing Open Waters Theatre’s reputation as one of Saint Lucia’s most promising emerging local arts collectives, with growing community support that continues to expand with every new show.