Content Resources Page

Content Analysis

PLAY SYNOPSIS

On the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a quiet Kentucky home becomes the crossroads of love, memory, and unexpected devotion. In Berea, Virginia and her older sister Martha are busy crafting costumes for the church Christmas pageant when two former soldiers—Leland and Sid—arrive unannounced, each determined to meet the fiancée of their fallen friend, Paul. Through the darkest days of World War II, Virginia’s letters sustained Paul and the men beside him, and now both visitors believe they’ve fallen for the woman behind those words without ever having met her. Leland, a warm-hearted farm boy, has come to return the treasured letters he preserved after Paul’s death, while Sid, a sophisticated young man from Charleston, carries a ring for a woman he knows only through ink and imagination. But Martha, fiercely loyal to Paul’s memory, resists their presence and the stir they create, doing everything she can to protect her sister. As hidden truths surface and loyalties are tested, affection and grief collide in surprising ways. And as Christmas draws near, one question lingers beneath it all—what will be revealed before the final curtain rises on the pageant?

CHARACTERS

VIRGINIA, a young white woman, 22 years old.

MARTHA, her sister, about fifteen years older.

SID, a Charleston-born soldier home from the war, Jewish, early 20s.

LELAND, another veteran, 1/4 Black, passes as white, early 20s.

THEMES

Grief and Loss

The play centers on the emotional aftermath of war and the loss of loved ones. Characters grapple with mourning, survivor’s guilt, loneliness, and the uncertainty of rebuilding life after tragedy. Discussions of death and wartime trauma occur throughout the play.

The Lasting Impact of War

Though the war has ended, its psychological effects remain present in every character. The play references combat experiences, military deaths, destroyed lives, and emotional scars left by wartime service.

Faith and Spiritual Identity

Biblical stories, church traditions, Christmas pageants, and questions of belief are woven throughout the script. 

Race, Prejudice, and Social Divisions

The script contains conversations about antisemitism, segregation-era attitudes, and racial prejudice in postwar America. These discussions are handled thoughtfully but may prompt reflection and conversation for audiences.

Love, Memory, and Moving Forward

The story examines how people hold onto memories of lost loved ones while trying to rediscover hope, joy, and connection after heartbreak.

CONTENT FOR PARENTAL CONSIDERATION

MATURE SUBJECT MATTER

Discussions of wartime death, grief, and trauma

References to battlefield casualties and survivor’s guilt

Emotional discussions surrounding loss and mourning

References to racial prejudice and antisemitism

Mild sexual references related to adult entertainment venues in wartime Paris

DRINKING

Characters discuss drinking during wartime service

References to intoxication and alcohol consumption

One character appears intoxicated onstage and drinks from a flask

SMOKING

References to cigarettes throughout the play

A character smokes offstage and discusses needing a cigarette

LANGUAGE

Mild adult language and wartime slang

No profanity

VIOLENCE

No staged graphic violence

Discussions of wartime combat, explosions, and military deaths occur throughout the play

RUNNING TIME

2 hours

SHOW DATES

August 19 - September 6, 2026

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED AGE Holly Street?

Recommended for teens and adults due to mature emotional themes and discussions of war, grief, alcohol use, smoking, and prejudice. 

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS TO Holly Street?

Tickets prices vary between $25 and $80 depending on where you sit in the theater.

Executive Artistic Director’s Note

We commissioned Arlene Hutton a handful of years ago to write this show, thanks to the generosity of Gina and Jeff Metzler and the Metzler New Works Program, as well as Sandy and Gerald Bennett.  I've been a big fan of Arlene and her work for going on two decades now and am thrilled that we are able to give this one it's world-premiere right here in Houston!  This is not the first Arlene Hutton play we've produced in our history.  For you long-time A.D. Players patrons, you may remember her beloved show, Last Train to Nibroc, which we produced a number of years ago to great success.  Arlene's plays bubble with humanity in all of its joy and sorrow.  Holly Street lives in that same sphere; exploring themes of loss, hope, deception, faith, bigotry, control, lust and the secrets that drive division when not exposed to the light.  Some aspects of this story are remnants of Arlene's own family history and lived-experience, which requires a certain level of bravery as a writer.  And I am grateful that her courageous honesty and willingness to share has brought this show to our stage. This is a powerful piece of drama that will hopefully sit with you long after the curtain falls.  

Theatre is an art form that from its inception has had the proven power to move and to stir the human spirit. This can have a wide variety of manifestations. We are often stirred up, and that kind of event can have us needing to talk to someone about it. We recommend that you find a licensed mental healthcare professional to help you work through difficult feelings that may have been stirred up by a play. You should always work with someone that you have a great connection with. If you need help starting that process, we recommend our partners at Ellie Mental Health as a starting place.

You might also be stirred to do something about how a particular play made you feel. Below we have provided a quick link to be able to donate to us here at the A. D. Players at the George Theatre. As a 501(c)3, we rely heavily on donations to continue the work that we do. If, however, you want to do something meaningful about some of the issues addressed by our shows, we are also including links to organizations that do meaningful work in the areas addressed by the content of our show. These are not exhaustive options, but merely starting places to help you on your journey to continue to effect change in your world.