Surprise (a ten minute play)

by Mark Harvey Levine

Peter is a psychic who can only see two minutes into the future. Unfortunately, all this gives him is the ability to drive his date slowly insane. But even a psychic can be surprised.

"a lovely little piece of sleight-of-mouth that would be at home in a David Ives collection...a little gem"
Joshua Tanzer, OffOffOff.com (New York)

Peter is a psychic who can only see two minutes into the future. Unfortunately, all this gives him is the ability to drive his date slowly insane. But even a psychic can be surprised.

"a lovely little piece of sleight-of-mouth that would be at home in a David Ives collection...a little gem"
Joshua Tanzer, OffOffOff.com (New York)

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Surprise (a ten minute play)

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James Perry: Surprise (a ten minute play) by Mark Harvey Levine

“

As someone who appreciates clever dialogue and unexpected twists, "Surprise" surpassed my expectations. The banter between Peter and Whitney is both humorous and smart, creating a lighthearted atmosphere even in the face of a breakup. Despite the fantastical element of psychic abilities, the play delves into relatable themes of relationships, communication, and the challenges of understanding one another. The relatability of these themes adds a universal appeal to the play.

As someone who appreciates clever dialogue and unexpected twists, "Surprise" surpassed my expectations. The banter between Peter and Whitney is both humorous and smart, creating a lighthearted atmosphere even in the face of a breakup. Despite the fantastical element of psychic abilities, the play delves into relatable themes of relationships, communication, and the challenges of understanding one another. The relatability of these themes adds a universal appeal to the play.

”
Kate Danley: Surprise (a ten minute play) by Mark Harvey Levine

“

Funny, sweet, and charming! You don't have to be a psychic to know this snappy little short would be an audience favorite in any festival! Really fun!

Funny, sweet, and charming! You don't have to be a psychic to know this snappy little short would be an audience favorite in any festival! Really fun!

”
John Mabey: Surprise (a ten minute play) by Mark Harvey Levine

“

Mark Harvey Levine's SURPRISE is comedy at its best with an amazing premise and hilarious wordplay throughout. The clever story could go in so many directions and ends with a wonderful 'surprise' of its very own. Levine is a writer who never disappoints and it's clear why this fun, high-energy play has enjoyed so much success, too.

Mark Harvey Levine's SURPRISE is comedy at its best with an amazing premise and hilarious wordplay throughout. The clever story could go in so many directions and ends with a wonderful 'surprise' of its very own. Levine is a writer who never disappoints and it's clear why this fun, high-energy play has enjoyed so much success, too.

”

View all 18 recommendations

Production History

Type Community Theater, Organization Aberdeen Community Theatre, Aberdeen, SD, Year 2023
Type High School, Organization De Smet Jesuit High School, St. Louis, MO, Year 2023
Type Professional, Organization Southbank Theatre Company, Indianapolis, IN, Year 2023
Type Community Theater, Organization Not Your Average Theater Group, Sunrise, FL, Year 2022
Type Fringe, Organization Clerical Error Productions, IndyFringe Festival, Indianaolis, IN, Year 2022
Type High School, Organization Academy for Visual & Performing Arts/Theatre, Paramus, NJ, Year 2022
Type High School, Organization Milton District High School, Milton, Ontario, CANADA, Year 2022
Type High School, Organization Miss Porter’s School, Farmington, CT, Year 2022
Type High School, Organization Mundelein High School, Mundelein, IL, Year 2022
Type High School, Organization Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak, MI, Year 2022
Type High School, Organization Victoria School of the Arts, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, Year 2022
Type High School, Organization Worthington Kilbourne High School, Columbus, OH, Year 2022
Type Professional, Organization Colonial Playhouse, Philadelphia, PA, Year 2022
Type Professional, Organization The Magnetic Theatre, Asheville, NC, Year 2022
Type Community Theater, Organization 4 Community Theatre (4CT), Maple Plain, Rockford and Delano, MN, Year 2021
Type High School, Organization Bishop Fenwick High School, Peabody, MA, Year 2021
Type High School, Organization St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Potomac, MD, Year 2021
Type Professional, Organization Short+Sweet Festival. Illawarra, NSW, AUSTRALIA, Year 2021
Type Professional, Organization Yohangza Theatre Company, Seoul, SOUTH KOREA, Year 2021
Type Community Theater, Organization Panhandle Community Theatre, Pace, FL, Year 2020
Type High School, Organization The Marist School, Atlanta, GA, Year 2020
Type University, Organization California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA, Year 2020
Type High School, Organization Bellevue West High School, Bellevue, NE, Year 2019
Type High School, Organization Elgin High School, Elgin, IL, Year 2019
Type Professional, Organization New Short Play Festival, New York, NY, Year 2019
Type University, Organization Cayuga Community College Auburn, NY, Year 2019
Type University, Organization Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX, Year 2019
Type University, Organization University of Northwestern, St. Paul, MN, Year 2019
Type Community Theater, Organization Town Players of Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, Year 2018
Type High School, Organization Jasper Place HIgh School, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, Year 2018
Type High School, Organization Westview High School, Portland, Oregon, Year 2018
Type Professional, Organization Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, Mableton, GA, Year 2018
Type Professional, Organization Short + Sweet Auckland, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND, Year 2018
Type Professional, Organization Short + Sweet Hollywood, Hollywood, CA, Year 2018
Type High School, Organization Fair Haven Union High School, Fair Haven, VT, Year 2017
Type High School, Organization Niles North High School, Skokie, IL, Year 2017
Type High School, Organization Redwood High School, Larkspur, CA, Year 2017
Type Professional, Organization Flat Tire Productions, Queens, NY, Year 2017
Type Professional, Organization La Chinchilla MX, Mexico City, MEXICO, Year 2017
Type Professional, Organization Old Academy Players, Philadelphia, PA, Year 2017
Type Professional, Organization The Colac Players, Inc., Victoria, AUSTRALIA, Year 2017
Type University, Organization Capital University, Columbus, OH, Year 2017
Type University, Organization Central Penn College, Summerdale, PA, Year 2017
Type University, Organization Grove City College, Grove City, PA, Year 2017
Type University, Organization Pine Manor College, Chestnut Hill, MA, Year 2017
Type Community Theater, Organization Cabaret Players, Surprise, AZ, Year 2016
Type Community Theater, Organization Parish Players, Thetford, VT, Year 2016
Type Fringe, Organization Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND, Year 2016
Type High School, Organization Green Bay West High School, Green Bay, WI, Year 2016
Type High School, Organization Kent School, Kent, CT, Year 2016
Type High School, Organization Redwood High School, Larkspur, CA, Year 2016
Type High School, Organization South Shore Vo-Tech High School, Hanover, MA, Year 2016
Type High School, Organization Vernon Hills High School, Vernon Hills, IL, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Artists Exchange, Providence, RI, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Hi5 Entertainment, Bangalore, INDIA, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Red Eye 10s Festival, Various Theatres Around The World, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Teatro Augusta, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Teatro Milan Foro Lucerna, Mexico City, MEXICO, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Teatro Mocha Graña Lima, PERU, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization The Fools and Kings Project, New York, NY, Year 2016
Type High School, Organization Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron, OH, Year 2015
Type High School, Organization Bard High School Early College, Queens, NY, Year 2015
Type High School, Organization Bishop Hartley High School, Columbus, OH, Year 2015
Type High School, Organization Kent-Meridian High Schoo, Kent, WA, Year 2015
Type High School, Organization Livermore Valley Charter Prep, Livermore, CA, Year 2015
Type High School, Organization Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, Year 2015
Type High School, Organization West Carleton Secondary School, Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA, Year 2015
Type High School, Organization Wichita High School East, Wichita, KS, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Cary Players, Cary, NC, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Ghost Dog Productions, London, ENGLAND, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Teatro Augusta, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Theatre Down South, Parañaque, PHILIPPINES, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Watson Art Centre. Dauphin, Manitoba, CANADA, Year 2015
Type University, Organization California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, Year 2015
Type University, Organization University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, Year 2015
Type University, Organization University Of Tampa, Tampa, FL, Year 2015
Type Community Theater, Organization Arlington Children's Theatre (ACT), Arlington, MA, Year 2014
Type High School, Organization Cape Henry Collegiate, Virginia Beach, VA, Year 2014
Type High School, Organization Carrboro High School, Carrboro, NC, Year 2014
Type High School, Organization Columbus City Schools, Columbus, OH, Year 2014
Type High School, Organization Mountain Range High School, Thornton, CO, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization 15 Minute Play Festival, Incheon, SOUTH KOREA, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization Actors Theatre Playhouse, West Chesterfield, NH, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization Changing Scene Northwest, Bremerton, WA, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization City Island Theatre Group, Bronx, NY, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization Marronnier Summer Festival, Seoul, SOUTH KOREA, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization Oh Dragon Theatre Co., Austin, TX, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization Short + Sweet Bangalore, Bangalore, INDIA, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization The Matthews Opera House, Spearfish, SD, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization Theatre Down South, Parañaque, PHILIPPINES, Year 2014
Type High School, Organization Downers Grove North High School, Downers Grove, IL, Year 2013
Type High School, Organization Fair Haven Union High School, Fair Haven, VT, Year 2013
Type High School, Organization Hilliard Bradley High School, Hilliard, OH, Year 2013
Type High School, Organization Jesuit College Preparatory School, Dallas, TX, Year 2013
Type High School, Organization The Selwyn School, Denton, TX, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization Awkward Turtle Productions, Daejon, SOUTH KOREA, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization Curveballs, Ahmedabad, INDIA, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization Diez Minutos, San Miguel de Allende, MEXICO, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization In Short Theatre, London, ENGLAND, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization LIC Festival, New York, NY, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization Pacific Resident Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization RAL Productions, New York, NY, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization Ticket 2 Eternity Productions, New York, NY, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization Washington Street Players, Holliston, MA, Year 2013
Type University, Organization George Washington University, Washington, DC, Year 2013
Type University, Organization Linfield College, McMinnville, OR, Year 2013
Type University, Organization Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA, Year 2013
Type University, Organization Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, Year 2013
Type Community Theater, Organization Alumnia Community Theatre (ACT), Cairo, EGYPT, Year 2012
Type High School, Organization Colorado Springs Conservatory, Colorado Springs, CO, Year 2012
Type High School, Organization Marist School, Atlanta, GA, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Blackout Theatre Company, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Changing Scene Theatre Northwest, Bremerton, WA, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Laurel Mill Playhouse, Laurel, MD, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Madlab Theatre, Columbus, OH, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Orange Tea Theatre Co. Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Pan Theater, San Francisco, CA, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Seoul Players, Seoul, SOUTH KOREA, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Universal Theatre, Provincetown, MA, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Xoregos Performing Company, New York, NY, Year 2012
Type University, Organization Ohio State University Mansfield, OH, Year 2012
Type University, Organization University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, British Columbia, CANADA, Year 2012
Type Community Theater, Organization Greenville Little Theater, Greenville, SC, Year 2011
Type Fringe, Organization Regina International Fringe Festival, Regina, Saskatchewan, CANADA, Year 2011
Type High School, Organization Grosse Pointe High School, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, Year 2011
Type High School, Organization Tesoro High School, Las Flores, CA, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Artists Exchange, Providence, RI, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Drama For The Masses, Bucharest, ROMANIA, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Neo Ensemble Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Northwest Actors Lab, Bainbridge Island, WA, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Redwood Coast Players, Point Arena, CA, Year 2011
Type University, Organization College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, NY, Year 2011
Type Community Theater, Organization Siesta Village Players, Weslaco, TX, Year 2010
Type High School, Organization Belmont High School, Belmont, MA, Year 2010
Type High School, Organization Stadium High School, Tacoma, WA, Year 2010
Type High School, Organization Vashon Island High School, Vashon, WA, Year 2010
Type High School, Organization Warren Central High School, Indianapolis, IN, Year 2010
Type High School, Organization Weston High School, Weston, MA, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Above The Curve Theater, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Madlab Theatre, Columbus, OH, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Minnesota Shorts Play Festival, Mankato, MN, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization MMQ Theatre, Manila, PHILIPPINES, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Pausa Companhia, Touring BRAZIL, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Stage East, Eastport, ME, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Sweet & Tart Productions, New York, NY, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization The Elephant Theatre Company, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization The Tre Stage, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2010
Type University, Organization Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Tudela, Navarra, SPAIN, Year 2010
Type University, Organization Kentucky Christian University, Grayson, KY, Year 2010
Type Community Theater, Organization Little Theater of Hazard, Hazard, KY, Year 2009
Type High School, Organization Hazel Green High School, Hazel Green, AL, Year 2009
Type High School, Organization Kent School, Kent, CT, Year 2009
Type High School, Organization Northgate High School, Walnut Creek, CA, Year 2009
Type High School, Organization St. Albans School, Washington, DC, Year 2009
Type High School, Organization Woodland Hills High School, Pittsburgh, PA, Year 2009
Type High School, Organization Woodward Academy, Atlanta, GA, Year 2009
Type Professional, Organization Actors Theatre Of Louisville, Louisville, KY, Year 2009
Type Professional, Organization Brewster Theater Company, Brewster, NY, Year 2009
Type Professional, Organization Pausa Companhia, Touring BRAZIL, Year 2009
Type Professional, Organization Pensacola Little Theatre, Pensacola, FL, Year 2009
Type Professional, Organization Play de Luna, Winter Park, FL, Year 2009
Type Professional, Organization Semi Circle Theatre, Basel, SWITZERLAND, Year 2009
Type University, Organization Black Hawk College, Kewanee, IL, Year 2009
Type University, Organization Broward College, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Year 2009
Type University, Organization California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, Year 2009
Type University, Organization Grove City College, Grove City, PA, Year 2009
Type University, Organization Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Year 2009
Type University, Organization La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, Year 2009
Type University, Organization Rose Bruford College, Sidcup, Kent, ENGLAND, Year 2009
Type University, Organization South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, AZ, Year 2009
Type University, Organization Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, Year 2009
Type University, Organization University Of Louisville, Louisville, KY, Year 2009
Type Community Theater, Organization Our Town Theatre Group, North Creek, NY, Year 2008
Type High School, Organization Montgomery Blair, High School Silver Springs, MD, Year 2008
Type High School, Organization Rolling Meadows High School, Rolling Meadows, IL, Year 2008
Type Professional, Organization Actors Refuge Repertory Theatre (ARRT), Boston, MA, Year 2008
Type Professional, Organization Blackout Theatre Company, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, Year 2008
Type Professional, Organization Cary Players, Cary, NC, Year 2008
Type Professional, Organization Cedar Lane Stage, Chevy Chase, MD, Year 2008
Type Professional, Organization FoxWell Productions, Brookings, OR, Year 2008
Type Professional, Organization French Woods Festival Of The Performing Arts, Hancock, NY, Year 2008
Type Professional, Organization In Players, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS, Year 2008
Type University, Organization The Colleges Of The Fenway, Boston, MA, Year 2008
Type Community Theater, Organization Paw Paw Village Players, Paw Paw, MI, Year 2007
Type Professional, Organization Cafe Theatre, Montclair, NJ, Year 2007
Type Professional, Organization Devanaughn Theatre Company, Boston, MA, Year 2007
Type Professional, Organization Madcap Players, Washington, DC, Year 2007
Type Professional, Organization Pausa Companhia, National Tour of BRAZIL, Year 2007
Type University, Organization College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, Year 2007
Type University, Organization University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, Year 2007
Type Professional, Organization Acme Theatre Company, Maynard, MA, Year 2006
Type Professional, Organization Flint City Theatre, Flint, MI, Year 2006
Type Professional, Organization Pausa Companhia, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL, Year 2006
Type Professional, Organization Theatre@First, Somerville, MA, Year 2006
Type University, Organization McLennan College, Waco, TX, Year 2006
Type University, Organization Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, Year 2006
Type Professional, Organization Boston Playwrights' Theatre, Boston, MA, Year 2005
Type Professional, Organization DramaWorks Studio Theatre, Dublin, GA, Year 2005
Type Professional, Organization Madhouse Theatre Co., Philadelphia, PA, Year 2005
Type Professional, Organization Madlab Theatre, Columbus, OH, Year 2005
Type Professional, Organization Pausa Companhia, Curitiba, Paraná BRAZIL, Year 2005
Type Professional, Organization Shelterbelt Theatre, Omaha, NE, Year 2005
Type Professional, Organization Snowdance, Racine, WI, Year 2005
Type Professional, Organization 10 By 10 in Triangle, Chapel Hill, NC, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Alleyway Theatre, Buffalo, NY, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Colonial Playhouse, Philadelphia, PA, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Fine Arts Association, Willoughby, OH, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Heartlande Theatre Company, Rochester, MI, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Herring Run ArtsFest, Cambridge, MA, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Little Fish Theatre Company, San Pedro, CA, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Sacred Fools Theater Co., Los Angeles, CA, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Theatre Neo, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization Wasatch Theatre Company, Salt Lake City, UT, Year 2004
Type Professional, Organization 12 Miles West Theatre Company, Montclair, NJ, Year 2003
Type Professional, Organization GuerriLA Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2003
Type Professional, Organization Playwrights Circle, Palm Springs, CA, Year 2003
Type Professional, Organization George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, NJ, Year 2002
Type Professional, Organization ZJU Theatre Group, North Hollywood, CA, Year 2002
Type Professional, Organization Company of Angels, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2001
Type Professional, Organization Theatre Neo, Los Angeles, CA, Year 2000

Awards

National Ten-Minute Play Contest

Actors Theatre of Louisville

Finalist

2000

Genre

comedy,

romantic comedy

Subject Matter Keywords

psychic,

wordplay,

breakfast

Length

two to nine minutes,

ten minutes

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

all ages

Reviews

The Outlier Scotland (Edinburgh Fringe Family)

“
The standout show is Surprise
”
The Reviews Hub (Edinburgh Fringe Festival)

“
delightfully constructed
”
British Theatre Guide

“
This clever conceit generates a witty mini-comedy with an unexpected ending.
”
OffOffOff.com

“
a lovely little piece of sleight-of-mouth that would be at home in a David Ives collection...a little gem
”
Stage Buzz

“
Featuring some wonderfully timed sight gags, snappy dialogue, and a cast that works seamlessly together, Surprise is delightful.
”
Backstage West

“
Riotously comical... A nice twist ending and especially enjoyable bitterness on the part of [actress Carolyn] Hennesy make this a humorous high point for the evening.
”
Palm Springs Desert Sun

“
Charming and funny
”
Entertainment Today

“
The funniest one was Surprise...
”