Brian Brooks, Priscilla Young, and Stephen Maestas
in Don't Drink the Water; Photo by Meg Ralph
Is there an expiration date on humor? There are a lot of older scripts that have a universal humor that will withstand the test of time. There are universal themes that the general population will find funny no matter when the play was written. This is why Shakespeare’s comedies still work today. Taming of the Shrew may be one of the most “dated” romantic comedies of all time, but everyone can relate to the humor and, if done well, the show can be exceedingly funny. So when do comedies live past their prime? When the jokes are far enough past their prime that they have no relevance today, nor does the comedy relate to anything in today’s society. When it is a political comedy, yet the most topical names used are Walter Lippman and John Birch. Don’t Drink The Water, written by Woody Allen is a comedy that may have lived past its prime.
Spotlight Theatre Company’s (Again, full disclosure: though I was not involved in this production, I am a company member of Spotlight Theatre Company) Don’t Drink the Water, Directed by Luke Allen Terry, is now playing at the John Hand Theatre in Lowry. It is the story of The Hollander’s; an American tourist, his wife and his daughter. They rush into the American embassy two steps ahead of the police who suspect them of spying. The Hollander family causes an international incident when Walter Hollander photographs a sunset in a sensitive region. In order to stay out of jail, the Hollanders take refuge in the American Embassy, which is temporarily being run by the absent Ambassador's diplomatically incompetent son, Axel. The plot thickens as they carefully and frantically plot their escape. That is basically it. Add in a priest that has been seeking sanctuary within the embassy’s walls for six years, a temperamental chef, and a few other assorted characters, and you have Woody Allen’s 1966 play.
Leading the cast is Brian Brooks, as the young Axel Magee, the diplomat’s son. Brooks certainly gave a valiant effort at trying to capture the humor of this show, however it didn’t seem to sink in; for Brooks or for the audience. The few moments of physical humor did not land, nor did they seem to be placed in the correct play. The physical humor that was brought in would have been better placed in a traditional farce, not a political/romantic comedy such as this. Spotlight Theatre Company knows farce. They know it very well, and they perform it, arguably, better than any other company in town. However, spit-takes do not belong in every show, and the same physical bits where three characters try en-mass to move a larger-sized actor, just to fail and fall on the floor are not funny when they’ve been done in every show that actor has appeared in.
Meg Ralph took on the role of the young Susan Hollander, the daughter of the family that falls in love with Axel. Admittedly, Ralph was filling in for another actor, who was ill that evening, however, for a romantic leading lady she didn’t connect to her leading man. For that matter, none of the actors truly connected with anyone else. Each actor was an isolated island unto him or herself. Comedy is only funny if everyone in the show is committed 100% to the realism of the situation they are in. However, there were a few funny moments and believable connections between Walter and Marion Hollander (Stephen Maestas and Priscilla Young.) The funniest moments of the show involved the two of them, and the most touching moment of the entire show involved them as well – sitting on a bench just talking about their past.
This is Luke Allen Terry’s directing debut, and he certainly has a long and exciting future in front of him. He is a very promising director, unfortunately, this was a situation where the script didn’t support a new director. The connections weren’t there, the heart and realism weren’t there, and – as a result – the humor wasn’t there. Terry certainly had a tremendous amount of support in this challenge as well. The set, designed by veteran director Bernie Cardell, was delightful – and it included a moving photo that changed from regal to disgusted as the chaos ensued. Costumes were also striking. Designed by Ellie Fotaki, they were a wonderful and colorful look of the fashions of the 1960’s.
Spotlight Theatre Company is dedicated to helping its patrons forget their worries and escape for a night of fun. This may not be the best example of that motto, however their full houses and returning patrons do not lie. They do something right. They certainly know their audience, and if you are a Woody Allen fan, then you would probably want to join the audience as well. If Woody Allen style comedy, political satire, or dated humor isn’t your thing, then check back next time – as Spotlight will certainly be presenting another huge comedy hit.
Spotlight Theatre Company presents
Woody Allen’s Don’t Drink the Water
May. 23 -June. 20
Fri./Sat. at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 and June 7 at 6:30 p.m.
John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place in Denver.
Tickets are $17 Adult/ $15 for Students/Seniors
720-880-8727 or online
Comments
And not one mention of the brilliant light design hmmpphh... lol. I thought the show was very well done. I would have to disagree that the comedy was too dated. Some of the references slip by a modern audience because of the date the show was written, but in all, I think the show had enough standard comedy to keep the audience chuckling. Some physical comedy moments are being used too much in this company, but overall, I think Luke did a wonderful job with the show. I would say that a lot of the actor disconnect in the show stems from the fact that there was a shift in cast during the tech week for the show, so that might have something to do with the way the characters interacted, or didnt, in this case. I thought that Walter and Marion were perfect Woody Allen characters, done exceptionally well. In all, I enjoyed the show, and I think that Spotlight did a good job in stepping away from their perfect comfort zone of farce.
I'd just like to say it takes a lot of courage to review a play so honestly when it's from the same company you're a member of. I hope your company-mates agree...
I think it's a very accurate review of the show. I have seen the show and found it a little dated and more a chuckler than a laugh out loud funny show. It's not for everyone and I think that's what the reviewer was trying to convey. Some people may really like it and others may not.
This is a very interesting situation. Let us not forget that a Company's job is to produce shows with honesty and sincerity. A reviewer's job is to review a show honestly and sincerely as they see it. It is not always easy do do this when what you see, in your opinion, is not up to par with what you are used to seeing that particular company produce.
I applaud any critic that is willing to stick their neck out and write what they saw instead of what a company wants to hear!
Bravo!
Phil
I would agree with Mike and the Anonymous comment... I think it does take a big courage to honestly revue a show in this way, especially being connected to the company. I would also agree that the humor is not for everyone's taste, but that a good effort on behalf of this style of comedy was made by the company.
I think the review was refreshing and honest! There were gags in this show that are seen in almost every Spotlight show....
I don't think being a Company member has anything to do with it...particularly since these "members" aren't asked to be part of the company - it's assumed that after xx amount of shows all of a sudden you're a member? How about some choice? Plus Deb works all over Denver and isn't exclusive to Spotlight. I think a review is a review - like it or not. I'm so glad that it was so honest...the show was terrible.
Seriously. Spotlight never takes a chance. Heaven forbid they actually do something interesting on the stage... other than that one man show earlier this year (and that wasn't even spotlight's, was it?) which was really good about the denver journalist, its pretty much just softball over there. one lob after another...
Yeah, the show about the Denver journalist wasn't Spotlight. That was a new company, Equinox. I think Spotlight helped them out and let them use the space. But it was different and something unique. I think shows like that are refreshing and show what theatre can do. And that's not saying I haven't loved Spotlight shows. They have done some great ones but not every show can be great.
All I have to say is that I believe the comments should stick to the show and the review. You don't have to pick at Spotlight or others who are in it[yes, this is to "An Observer" specifically].
How interesting, DOUBLE conflict of interest. Not only are you a member of Spotlight, but your new theatre company is highlighted in the comments section... A plant?!
Umm... I am the one who clarified whose production it was because "Horatio" seemed to be asking the question. And I did stay on topic of the review and I didn't say anything negative to Spotlight, other than not every show can be great. I had no other agenda than to answer "Horatio's" question.
First of all, yes, I put my full name. It’s a small town folks, I’ll stand by my opinion & I'm not going to hide behind snide resentment, unwarranted character attacks & anonymity. Second, Deb is a reviewer, a critic. Her job to see a show and report what she thought of it, she gives full disclosure about the companies she’s connected to & isn’t biased to those companies because of it, that’s credibility. Third, (full disclosure) I served on Spotlight’s board 2004-2008, during which worked on every show in some capacity & am proud to say that I did. Spotlight, like all companies, has every right to produce whatever shows fit their mission statement. Not every endeavor is going to be a hit & it is disappointing to see a show fall below the expected standard but that doesn’t justify personal attacks on anyone. Your poor attempt to mask who you’re attacking is also not justification for using this as a forum to anonymously sling mud.
Just to let "An observer" know, it isn't assumed that after x amount of years you are a member. They do ask.
Company Members, clarification: company membership is offered to any actor, designer, technician, etc that has worked on 3+ Spotlight shows. It isn't a requirement to work with the company and Spotlight doesn't take any monetary dues for Membership. The program was the brain child of the actors & technicians who offered the idea to the board as a way of providing a theatrical "homebase". The Board of Directors adopted and adapted the idea and now there are around 20-30 Members that include actors, stage managers, box office/concessions, personel, etc.
I’ve really been interested in all the comments that came in over the past 24 hours. I encourage the commenting – favorable or negative – and I hope that it helps all of us grow and learn about our craft. I know, for me, it is helping me learn how to properly critique and how to be mindful of another person’s art. In regards to all the comments - I have only deleted a couple of the comments, because I felt that this forum should not be used to air personal grievances. However, that being said, I find that this could be a very good forum for us, as the theatre community, to come together, discuss our experiences, and expand our community. Please do keep in mind, in the future, that I welcome all comments but lets all keep them clean and not personally attack any one person. Thank you and keep on commenting.
Wow, I don't think I've seen so many comments since the day I posted a comment saying I didn't like a particular show. From what I remember, it had been given a good review, and maybe it was just the performance I was at, but I didn't like it. I had no attachment to the characters, didn't feel any kind of passion or enjoyment from the actors... in my mind, it just didn't work. But how many times have I seen a bad review and gone to a show and ended up liking it? I repsect Deb a lot... to the point where I don't even look at the Post (and the News isn't doing much citicizing these days). I love the fact she pointed out what she felt to be flaws in the show... even if she is associated with the troup. Like one person said, it's a small town. I'll still go see the show just because I like Woody Allen and like some of the actors in this show, and I loved their last production. I guess I don't get what all the hubub is about. I respect Deb for writing an honest review. If she would have lie
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