Apollo 8 came as a refreshing surprise to a beleaguered nation at the end of 1968, a year of assassinations, burning streets and inflamed political passions.

The cast is immeasurably aided by Mr. Yazbek's score and lyrics, the success of which is the production's most refreshing surprise.

Because it is invisible from the sidewalk, visitors are greeted by "a refreshing surprise," when they ascend to the second floor, Ms. Rodriguez said.

Fereshteh, from a small town and a family of modest means, comes as a refreshing surprise to Roya, whose background is more elevated.

The casting for "Prime Suspect" has always held refreshing surprises.

The refreshing surprise is that Stopnick, a Jewish radical from New York, is more progressive than this young black girl.

"A refreshing surprise, from my perspective."

So three new books on radical houses come as a refreshing surprise.

Except for some true refreshing surprises (Twitter & diplomacy?)

But the playwright, Ron Hirsen, has a refreshing surprise in store: He knows the difference between just enough and too much.