Last year, a group of local actors assembled on the Beckwith Theatre Company stage, performing a lively reading of “Nantucket Sleighride,” an adult comedy written by University of Michigan student Graham Techler.

In the coming weeks, many of those same actors will reprise their roles — though this time, they’ll be delivering the real McCoy, as the Dowagiac community theater brings Techler’s award-winning play to life for the first time.

Beckwith will debut the play on Friday, with shows running from Aug. 21-23 and Aug. 28-30. The curtains rise at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

“Nantucket Sleighride,” is set in a bed and breakfast establishment on Cape Cod, owned by Umpa (Paul Pugh), an old veteran who has clearly gone senile. In response to recent vandalism to the establishment, Umpa hires a group of three armed and dangerous hit men (played by Max Sala, Jack Gannon and Jeff Gunn) to protect the inn, much to the horror of the owner’s grandson, Louis (George Tabbert). Along with his girlfriend, Winona (Annie Schueneman), Louis attempts to rid the gangsters from the business — though not everything ends up going according to plan.

“It’s pretty much a screwball comedy,” Gannon said.

Techler’s script was first introduced to most of the cast members — and director Rich Frantz — during the first ever Beckwith Emerging Playwright competition, which was held in conjunction with the city’s Dogwood Fine Arts Festival in the spring of 2014. The student’s submission was selected as the winner of the competition, and was given a live stage reading during the festival.

When the theater decided to put the script into production, many of the cast members who participated in the reading returned.

“By and large, we have a veteran cast, and they’re all very good,” Frantz said.

While most of the cast was already familiar with the work, spending the last several weeks rehearsing rather than simply reading from the script has given the entire cast a chance to really get a feel for their characters. As they head into opening night, the cast said they are excited to properly introduce Techler’s work to the world.

“As I told a friend, it’s cool to know that you’re watching the first time someone’s play has been put into production,” Tabbert said.

Tabbert will attend the Sunday, Aug. 30, showing, and will participate in a live Q&A session following the show.

“Nantucket Sleighride” features strong language and simulated gunfire.

Admission is $10 per person. To purchase tickets, call (269) 782-7653.