Rehearsing a scene from Paul VI’s upcoming comedy, “Don’t Go Near the Water,” are (from left) Meghan Kelly, Nathaniel Smith, Tommy Kelleher, Ryan Brogley and Kelsey Loesch. Eileen Curren
Featuring a cast and crew of 50, Paul VI High presents the rollicking comedy, “Don’t Go Near the Water.” It takes the stage Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 17-20, in the school theater.
The story takes place in the mid-1960s in an American embassy somewhere behind the Iron Curtain. The ambassador’s son, a bumbler, is running the embassy when three American tourists – parents and their 23-year-old daughter – run inside. They’re being chased by secret police who accuse them of spying and picture-taking. So they seek asylum and make plans to escape.
“This show is full of thrills and chills, crazy characters and romance,” said Director Kathy d’Alelio. “The daughter and the ambassador’s son fall in love, and hilarity ensues. It’s one of Woody Allen’s early comedies, so it’s family-friendly.”
Many of the roles are double cast, she said, because “We have such good kids; they’re doing an amazing job. Most of the leads are in our advanced acting class and are very talented and creative. I love working with them – and I’ve laughed so hard, I’ve cried, at some of the things they’ve done with this play.”
THE SCENES take place in the embassy, and the ’60s-era props include a rotary phone, hard-sided luggage and briefcases and a camera that uses film. The father will be dressed as a tacky tourist and the daughter will wear contemporary ’60s hairstyles and miniskirts.
“It’s a hilarious play, and this show will open on the 50th anniversary of its opening on Broadway in 1966,” said d’Alelio. “It was later made into a movie. It’s a look back into the ’60s and the Cold War era. Theater should take the audience out of their everyday life and let them just have fun – and this play definitely does that.”
Senior Bobby Kelleher not only plays one of the leads, but designed the set. “We were going for an old, Victorian-age, Russian mansion,” he said. “So the embassy will look very grand. It’ll have stenciling, and we even made our own crown molding. And there’ll be an archway and the U.S. ambassador’s insignia.”
Kelleher portrays the ambassador’s son, Axel McGee. “He’d call himself a failure because he’s clumsy and a little socially awkward,” said Kelleher. “When his dad leaves the embassy, he’s put in charge, but others there are more experienced than he is.”
Describing Axel as a “nervous, silly character,” Kelleher said that makes him “interesting to play. He’s also very relatable because, at times, people feel like they’re in a situation out of their control.” As for the show, he said the audience will like the slapstick humor and the love story. “They’ll also appreciate the setting and the time period,” said Kelleher. “People respect that era because of what was taking place then.”
His twin brother, senior Tommy Kelleher, plays the tourist father, Walter Hollander. “He’s a stereotypical New Yorker with a big personality,” said Kelleher. “He’s usually angry, but he’s compassionate and loving toward his wife. He believes he knows what’s best for his daughter and wants her to marry the person he intends for her, not the ambassador’s son. I enjoy playing this character because he has a lot of personality and is in your face. He makes the show even more comedic.”
Kelleher said the audience will find lots to like about this show. “The set will be a highlight – it’s one of the prettiest we’ve done,” he said. “People will also like the acting; we have two, very strong and believable casts.”
Senior Meghan Kelly portrays the daughter, Susan Hollander. “She’s kind of a rule-breaker and wants to be out of the box,” said Kelly. “She talks about all the guys she almost married, such as a draft dodger and a defrocked priest. She’s sweet and nice, but flirtatious.”
“I usually play naïve girls, so this is a good change for me,” continued Kelly. “I love playing her because she’s an out-there fashionista who’s full of energy and not afraid to show who she is.”
She said people won’t expect a play set in Communist Russia to be so funny. “But there are a lot of jokes,” said Kelly. “Woody Allen wrote it and put in lots of strange characters that give the show an unexpected twist – like a magician priest and Axel’s assistant who thinks he’s both of the Wright brothers.”
PLAYING SUSAN’S MOTHER, Marion Hollander, is senior Kelsey Loesch. “She’s from New Jersey and loves her husband, but will never show it,” said Loesch. “She tells things like they are. And if her husband doesn’t do something the way she likes it, she’ll tell him – and everybody else – about it. She’s a strong character, but lets her softer side show during scary moments. And she’s an overbearing mother, but in the best way; her daughter is her pride and joy.”
Loesch loves her role because she likes speaking with an accent and getting to be “wild, crazy and physical” onstage. “I especially like when we’re running around and rolling all over the place,” she said. “As soon as I heard about this show, this was the part I wanted to play, so I’m happy to step into Marion’s shoes.”
She said the audience will appreciate the show’s “quick-moving comedy with really colorful and lovable characters that are fun to watch. I’m a Cappies critic, and sometimes plays are slow-moving. But this one is fast-paced; there are always antics happening onstage.”
To Go
Show times are Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, Nov. 18-19, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10, adults; $5, senior citizens and students; and $25, two parents and three children. They’re available at the door or via paulvi.net/producers.