For the first time ever in the renamed Jon Bon Jovi Performing Arts Center, our talented theater society put on a show of Woody Allen’s Don’t Drink the Water on Nov. 15-16 for a total of 3 magical shows.
The play was about the New Jersey couple and their daughter getting stuck in an unnamed communist country after being accused of being spies. They hope the American embassy can help them out, even though that failed for their last guest, a priest stuck there for 6 years. Filled with laughter and fun, Don’t Drink The Water was a delight for audiences of all ages and did not disappoint.
The production would have not been possible without a hardworking cast, crew, teachers, and parents involved in bringing the show to life. The SWMHS theater society welcomed a new director this year following Mrs. DiStaulo’s departure. Director Schmidt first met the cast for auditions back in September and has since created a show to remember.
Cast member Brandon Robles Maldonado, who played a party guest said, “It was a really fun show, both to watch and to be in. It was a pleasure to be apart of it. The theater society is a big family I love being a part of.”
A talented cast and director is only part of what makes a production come to life. All the crews, business, set/design, makeup, costume, stage, lights, and sound were all vital parts in creating this production.
Business and design crew member Tanvi Agarwal said, “The crews are extremely important to the show because they work together like a community. Whether it’s business, design, set, light, sound, makeup, crew etc., we all come together with the cast and overall make for an amazing talented show!”
Makeup and costume crew members got to feel a little bit more of the theater magic than other crews since they were the ones who transformed the characters right before show time.
Makeup crew member, Nan Kamassah said, “Being behind the scenes on makeup crew is so cool and exciting. Most of the time I don’t even know what character I’m doing makeup for, but once they’re in their makeup, whether it makes them super old, or makes them look super angry, once it’s paired with their costume it really makes the physical appearance of a character that much interesting to look at. Doing makeup even during rehearsals I think make the cast transform into their characters, [it] helps with being fully in tune with their it character.”
And once all is said and done, a captivating performance is put on for all to come and watch. Tickets could be purchased online or at the show and once there audiences could purchase concessions, t-shirts, or Hershey kisses to be given out to the cast/crew.
One of those audience members was Sophie Santos, who said, “The actors were fantastic! The costume team did amazing and everyone seemed well chosen for their roles. 10/10 would definitely watch again.”
