March 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22, 2026

The taking of photographs, either with or without flash, and the use of any and all recording devices is prohibited.  Please make sure all cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices remain turned off during the performance.

DON’T DRINK THE WATER is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. (www.concordtheatricals.com)

Director's Note: 

Life throws unexpected curveballs. As I like to say, change is the only constant in the world. If there's anything that ties into Woody Allen's Don't Drink the Water, it's this.

There have been many parallels between the show and life during this production's process. No one on our team had to escape a communist country, but it did feel as if we broke an arm, got hit on the head with a brick, and shot in the foot. It just so happens that our arm, head, and foot turned out to be all of our hearts combined into one. 

On a worldly level, the events of what have taken place in our country spiraled and ricocheted off of each other, much like the play. But on a personal level, life decided to throw a really nasty curveball our way. This change was huge, and we couldn't swing the bat to push it in another direction.

We lost a dear friend. With the world in madness, his heart radiated love. In a society of anxiety, he was a consistent pillar to both ground and lift us up. With infinite fellow humans gutted by sadness and anger, he provided a splash of humor that healed. 

This curve ball was a first for many of us. One day he was in rehearsal, the next he was gone. So, this production is his. Jim Gillespie, this show is to honor you, your heart, and the good you pushed back into the world. 

My dear friend, change is the only constant in the world, so I encourage you to live your life in a new way: tell all the people you love you love them, constantly. There are bigger things that matter, so push good into the world. Be the splash that makes one tiny sliver of life less gray. 

SETTING

The action of the play takes place in an American Embassy somewhere behind the Iron Curtain, circa 1960s.

ACT ONE

Scene 1: A late summer afternoon
Scene 2: Later the same day
Scene 3: Several days later
Scene 4: Late that night
Scene 5: Several days later

ACT TWO

Scene 1: The next day
Scene 2: Two Days later
Scene 3: That night
Scene 4: The next morning

WHO’S WHO BEHIND THE IRON CURTIAN

BOB ACERNO (Ambassador Magee) has known the founders of Maggie’s Little Theatre since his early days in Community Theatre… then life happened.  Now retired, he is very glad to be a part of the group. Before the hiatus, Bob performed in theaters throughout Queens, including as Commander Harbison in South Pacific, Billy Ladnier in Standard Deviation, Fedele in Death Takes a Holiday, and the 2nd Delivery Man in No Sex Please, We’re British. (“Just when I get out, they pull me back in”… LOL!)

ELLEN ARMET (Countess Bordoni/Kilroy’s Assistant) This is her first time to appear on the Maggie’s stage since 2019 in The Addams Family. It was first interrupted by Covid in 2020, and then in 2022, a week before Kiss Me Kate was to open, she fell and broke her wrist. Don't break anything except a leg, figuratively, to the entire cast.

CHRIS BIAS (Alex Magee) is a NYC based Actor and Comedian and is thrilled to join Maggie’s for the production of Don’t Drink the Water. He’s been most recently cast as Lt. Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men at Mane’s Studio Theatre of Long Island.

MIRIAM P. DENU (Sister Drobney) is thrilled to be returning to the stage at MLT, because as one of the Founders, Maggie's is home. During her almost 50 years of local theater, Miriam has performed numerous roles, including Stephen Hopkins in 1776, Ouiser in Steel Magnolias, General Cartwright in Guys and Dolls, Queen Aggravain (2010) and the Wizard (2023) in Once Upon a Mattress, Dotty/Mrs. Clackett in Noises Off!, Kitty in Charley’s Aunt, Gwen in The Odd Couple, Greta in Witness for the Prosecution, Lydia in Second Bananas, Mrs. Wallworth in Speaking of Murder, Nadine in Nobody Knows I’m a Dog, and numerous ensemble roles. She thanks her favorite line runner,  Alan — my heart.

CHRISTINA DiMARTINO (Sultan’s Wife/Manager of Cleaning Staff) is thrilled to be on stage at Maggie’s for the first time after many times behind the lights! When not with her theater people, Christina enjoys reading, writing, and all things Disney. Her full time job and favorite role is teaching tiny humans. Congratulations to the whole cast & crew! Love to Mom, Dad, and Michael; to AnnMarie; and to Amanda, the best idea I’ve ever had. For Jim.

JASON N. FISCHEDICK (Krojack) is thrilled to be making his stage debut with Maggie’s Little Theater as Krojack, the lovable, cuddly KGB enforcer. Previous credits include Assistant Director for The Mousetrap (Maggie’s Little Theater), Dr. Watson in Holmes and Watson, Vice Principal Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Parkside Players), and Billy Idol in Royal Star Theater’s production of The Wedding Singer. Jason is grateful to everyone who has come out to support his return to the stage after a long hiatus.

DANIELLE FLEMING (Susan Hollander) is happy to be back at Maggie’s Little Theater. When she’s not on stage, she’s  teaching rambunctious high schoolers who keep her humble and loudly rooting for the home team (LGM). Past roles include Shelby in Steel Magnolias (Maggie’s Little Theater), Violet Bick in It’s a Wonderful Life (North Broadway Players), and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (QPAC). She’s always eternally  grateful for the people who show up for her — onstage and off. Special cheers to the cast and crew of DDTW; if questioned, we were never here. 

TAÑA FORTE (Kasnar/Embassy Security) is published poet and spoken word artist who frequently performs on open mics and has appeared on several comedy podcasts. As an actress her past community theater appearances have been in the Charles Dickens perennial favorite The Christmas Carol as well as television classics I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners in Glen Cove. Most recently she appeared in a Greek Tragedy Medea by Euripides in Centerport. This production of Woody Allen’s Don’t Drink the Water marks her debut at Maggie’s Little Theater. She is delighted to be back in her home boro of Queens working alongside this talented cast and crew. Thank you Amanda Mantoni for giving me this wonderful opportunity. When not on stage or behind a mic, she can be found on the tennis courts coaching and playing phenomenal doubles.

KIM GUARINO (Chef) is happy to be returning to Maggie’s as the Chef in Don’t Drink the Water. Previous roles include Emma (Over the River & Through the Woods), Aunt Julia (Hedda Gabler), Nat (Rabbit Hole), Fraulein Schneider (Cabaret), Fruma Sara (Fiddler on the Roof), Mrs. Harcourt (Anything Goes), Marmee (Little Women), Ma Strong (Urinetown) and Louella Parsons (Shakespeare in Hollywood). Thanks to everyone at Maggie’s for making this such a fun experience. Special shout out to Greg and Amy, you are the wind beneath my wings, always.

JIM HAINES (Walter Hollander) returns to Maggie's Little Theater with the terrifying realization that he'd performed in this play (as Kilroy) over 30 years ago. Time is way too fluid. Recent projects include directing Hamlet in November 2025 and his one-man show The Crackpot Shakespeare Theories, Vol. 1 performed in June of 2024, both for the Immortal City Gate Productions.

VIRGINA HARMON (Ms. Kilroy) was last seen onstage at Maggie’s as Annelle in Steel Magnolias. She also recently choreographed Meshuggah-Nuns! for the company this past year.  Other credits include: Tricia in Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Morticia in The Addams Family, Julia Budder in It’s Only a Play, Clarissa Hailsham-Brown in Spider’s Web, Ruth in Book of Days, The Girl in The Seven Year Itch. She thanks this amazing cast, team, her husband and beautiful daughters. 

CHRISTIAN ILLUZZI (Burns/Stage Manager) Christian was born and raised in Queens, NY. He attended Christ the King Regional High School and graduated from F.I.T. with a BFA in Graphic Design. Christian joined Maggie’s Little Theater in the spring of 2025 and has been helping with set building as well as stage managing. During his free time, he enjoys watching movies and TV. Christian plans to take acting classes at HB Studios in Manhattan’s West Village sometime in the near future.

JOE PACIULLO (Sultan) Last seen at MLT in Some Enchanted Evening, Joe’s favorite roles at Maggie’s include The Nightingale of Samarkand in Once Upon a Mattress, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family, Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha; the title character in Lucky Stiff; Henry Saunders in Lend Me a Tenor; Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls; and Ali Hakim in Oklahoma!.  Many thanks to the cast and MLT board for this adventure.  As always, love to the Lovely Lianne, who makes all of this possible.

BARBARA POOLIN (Head of Cleaning Staff) is happy to be performing at Maggie’s for the first time. She has previously performed at QED, Queens Theater, Maple Grove, FH Community House and Fohi Improv.  She has trained with teachers at HB Studio, among them Uta Hagen and Herbert Berghof, and at Fohi Improv.  Barbara has created and leads an improvisation group at Forest Hills Young Israel Senior League.  She thanks Amanda, this wonderful cast and all involved for welcoming her.

YVES ROMAIN (Sous Chef/Guard) Don't Drink the Water will be Yves second show at Maggie's Little Theater. Fun fact : His very first community theater show was at Maggie's Little Theater which he performed in Once Upon a Mattress. Overall, he's been in 14 productions. Some of his recent shows he has been seen in were Panama, Fiddler on the Roof (twice), Shakespeare in Hollywood, Annie Get Your Gun, The Little Mermaid, The Sound of Music, Miracle on 34th Street, Enter Laughing, and Mary Poppins. He would like to thank Amanda Montoni for giving him the opportunity to perform in Don't Drink the Water.

NIGEL SYLVERHYDE (Guard) Nigel is thrilled to return to the Maggie's stage after a short absence.  Nigel is a long-time member of the company and feels like St. Margaret's parish hall is home.  Most comfortable playing a "strong, silent type", Nigel has appeared in numerous comedies, plays, and musicals.  Thanks to the producers, backstage team, and the board for yet another opportunity.  Nigel looks forward to many more productions!

DOLORES VOYER (Marion Hollander) is a founding member of Maggie's Little Theater and is very grateful to the parish community for their support over all these years!  Primarily a singer, Dolores occasionally takes a chance on actually speaking words instead of singing them!  Shout out to Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker), Marisa Tomei (Mona Lisa Vito), and her mom, Eileen G. Hinrichs, for helping her find Marion's voice, and all the love to Ed and Diana, without whom none of this would have been possible.  Enjoy the show! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

AMANDA MONTONI (Director) is honored to be working with Maggie's again for Don't Drink the Water! Past directing credits include Hamlet (Assistant Director, City Gate Productions), All Shook Up (Royal Star Theatre), Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (City Gate Productions), and The Addams Family (Maggie’s Little Theater). When not working on a theatre production, you can catch her doing readings from her books and recording The Sweet Madness Podcast. Congrats to the entire cast and team! It’s been one heck of a journey, and you're all stars!  www.amandamontoni.com 

MAGGIE’S LITTLE THEATER In our 18th season at St. Margaret, with a mission to produce popular, original, and lesser-known works for the parish and surrounding communities, Maggie’s Little Theater has produced 29 shows.  Following that mission, Maggie’s Board of Directors selects plays and musicals they hope will entertain and enrich patrons and performers both. We strive to cast young performers and production staff whenever possible.  Many of our cast and crew have had their first theatrical experiences with us and have gone on to study and work in stagecraft.  We thank all our patrons, supporters, volunteers and participants.  Please visit www.maggieslittletheater.org – sign up for our mailing list, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or the site formerly known as Twitter to see what’s next!

The Staff

Creative Staff
Director: Amanda Montoni
Stage Manager: Christian Illuzzi
Producers: Joseph Annese, Alie Campbell, Miriam P. Denu, Brooke Lynn McGowan, Alan Perkins, Dolores Voyer, Ed Voyer

Performance Staff
Lighting: Ed Voyer
Sound: Alan Perkins
Sound Effects: Alan Perkins
Stage Crew: Christian Illuzzi

Production Staff
Technical Director: Ed Voyer
Art Director: Alan Perkins
Graphics & Print: Alan Perkins
Costumes: Dolores Voyer, Miriam P. Denu
Props: Lin Wang, Alan Perkins
Production Manager: Joe Annese
Marketing: Alie Campbell, Brooke Lynn McGowan
Webmaster: Alan Perkins

Stage Crew:
Set Design: Ed Voyer
Carpenters: Ed Voyer, Julian Czerewin, Christian Illuzzi
Set Painter: Alan Perkins

House Staff:
House Manager: Alie Campbell
Reservations: Joe Annese
Box Office: Joe Annese
Concessions Manager: Alie Campbell, Miriam P. Denu
Ushers & Kitchen Staff: Ronnie Malandrakis, Mary Griglik, Tracey Fleming, Shana Aborn, Friends of Maggie’s