Don't Drink the Water
at University High School

Reviewed on November 18, 2016

Rebecca Bogdanovic
San Juan Hills High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

University's "Don't Drink the Water" Playfully Warms Up the Cold War
written by Rebecca Bogdanovic, a senior at San Juan Hills High School

A combination of blinding strobe lights and high pitched squeals of terror fill the theatre as a family of three run frantically through the audience to flee from the Communist Police at their heels. Set in an American Embassy behind the Iron Curtain, University's "Don't Drink the Water," provides both adventure and love, while poking fun at the strained relationship between America and communist countries during the Cold War.

As the son of a successful U.S. ambassador, Axel Magee (Isaac Kopstein) must tackle the greatest feat of all: getting the Hollander family safely out of a country that believes they are spies. Bumbling and gangly, Kopstein paces anxiously across the stage, utilizing his tall height and wide eyed expressions of excitement to embody his character's awkward demeanor. His mother, Ambassador Magee (Sarika Mande), employs an authoritative tone as she chastises her son regarding his series of diplomatic failures.

With thick New Jersey accents and an endless supply of bickering, Corinne Alsop and Dylan Cecot flawlessly portray the old married couple, Marion and Walter Hollander. Bringing dramatic facial expressions and wide gesticulations to each squabble, Alsop keeps everyone on their toes with a combination of sweet and screechy vocal tones. Through hunched shoulders and a grumbling tone, Cecot's portrayal of the grouchy old man is simply hilarious, especially as he complains about the lack of decent food in the communist country.

Starry eyed and optimistic, Audrey Mitchell is the Hollander's daughter, Susan. Mitchell's vocal inflections are sweet and melodic, floating pleasantly over her parent's incessant bickering. Each step she takes is thoughtful and graceful- contrasting greatly with her love interest, Axel Magee. The two are opposites, yet provide a cohesive and heart-warming performance on stage together.

Crisp white walls, sweeping tapestries, and a distinguished staircase express the subtle elegance of the U.S. embassy. From the large American seal painted on the wall to the positioning of furniture throughout the room, meticulous intricacy is evident throughout Alice Liu's set design. Costume design by Maribel Cervantes mirrors the personality of each character. While Susan and Marion are placed in light pastels and sweeping skirts, U.S. personnel are clad in stiff business suits and darker colors.

With clever humor and beautiful technical aspects, the cast and crew of "Don't Drink the Water," put a comedic spin on the intensity of relations during the Cold War.

Julia Gordon
San Juan Hills High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Communism and crazy comedy in Uni's ‘Don't Drink the Water'
written by Julia Gordon, a senior at San Juan Hills High School

A vacation in Europe is always lovely, but an American embassy surrounded by dozens of armed, angry communist soldiers is not the best accommodation. Unfortunately, this is the Hollander's predicament in University High School's hysterical production of farcical "Don't Drink the Water".

Playing the ambassador's unlucky son, Isaac Kopstein as Axel Magee entertains with his bumbling leadership and, later, plucky determination as he struggles to return the Hollanders safely home. Kopstein stands with stiff, confident posture next to other diplomats, but he slumps into childlike obedience when talking to stern mother Ambassador Magee (Sarika Mande) on the phone.

Assistant Kilroy (Amina Khelif), on the other hand, is serious and solely about business. Khelif's stony stare and heel-clacking strides command attention, but after taking a brick to the head, she "becomes" the Wright brothers and "flies" around the house, her gleeful "zoom" noises eliciting laughter.

As communist chief Krojack, Dalton Nguyen pops in and out of the embassy, each time amusing with his deadpan humor and Russian accent as he interrogates Walter.

Quirky caterers Walter and Marion Hollander (Dylan Cecot and Corinne Alsop), however, steal the show with their hilariously over-the-top personalities. Their obnoxious New Jersey accents and wild gesticulations punctuate and emphasize the ridiculous humor in their lines—all delivered with excellent comedic timing. At first, Cecot is crass and oblivious, insulting Sultans and juggling dynamite bombs, and Alsop is constantly chastising him with pursed lips and crossed arms. Despite their arguments and eccentricities, the two rekindle their love and sweetly embrace, adding a soft side to their caricature-like characters.

The two-storied set is creative and very well-executed; the staircase and five doors all contribute to the show's physical comedy, and the painted American seal and portrait of Ambassador Magee, designed by Darrius Estigoy, establish the embassy environment. Additionally, Cem Cizem's miniature cyclorama behind the window innovatively communicates the time of day with various projected colors.

Maribel Cervantes' costume design effectively works in conjunction with Norhan Abolail and Mia McCarey's makeup and hair design to establish personality and indicate era. Walter's oversized Hawaiian shirts contrast him from other suit-clad dignitaries while Marion's curly beehive hair and red lipstick emphasize her boisterous personality and place her in the 1960s.

With a side-splitting cast and excellent technical design, University hilariously unveils the American antics hidden behind the Iron Curtain.

Natalie Patrick
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page

Uni's "Don't Drink the Water" is a Charming Affair
written by Natalie Patrick, a junior at Mission Viejo High School

With its outrageous characters and beautiful set, University High School's production of Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water" is exciting and entertaining. Set in the 1960's, behind the Iron Curtain Europe, the Hollander's find themselves wanted by Communist Police after taking photographs on their vacation in Europe and being accused of being American spies. They seek refuge in the American Embassy, run by the accident-prone Axel Magee, who was placed in charge only because his mother, the Ambassador, is gone for business. The Embassy, overfilled and overwhelmed, quickly learns that adapting to the current circumstances is necessary in life, and foreign relations.

Walter and Marion Hollander, played by Dylan Cecot and Corinne Alsop, amuse audiences with their playful banter and complete lack of patience. Cecot's bent knees, hunched shoulders and grumbling voice successfully turns the young actor into a grumpy old man who just wants to get back home. Alsop's larger than life personality, with her loud voice, straight back and thick New Jersey accent compliments her husband's grouchiness with her cheerfulness perfectly. Their comedic timing with one another creates hilarious scenes as they complain about the food, call home constantly, and insult powerful dictators. However, when faced with the fear of never getting back home, the two comfort each other showing a more loving side to their seemingly sarcastic relationship.

Axel, played by Isaac Kopstein, quickly falls in love with the Hollander's elegant daughter Susan, played by Audrey Mitchell. Axel, always nervous around his crush, with his slouched shoulders and sudden, awkward movements evokes humor with his childlike attempts to woo Mitchell. But, when planning the family's elaborate escape, Kopstein becomes confident with his tall posture, commanding voice and precise actions.

The beautiful set, designed by Alice Liu, Maxwell Han and Darrius Estigoy emulates the sophistication and patriotism of the Unites States Capitol. The classic mocha brown staircase, light sky blue walls and classic cream crown molding with the bright daisy yellow couches and huge Department of State Seal submerge the audiences into the 1960's American style with the retro pieces and patriotic colors.

The hilarious actors, combined with the talented set designers make "Don't Drink the Water" at University High School is charming and exciting as it shows that people can adapt to any situation and succeed when they work together.