Courtesy Photo by Bronwyn Woolman Alpena Civic Theatre’s “Don’t Drink the Water” continues this week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and concludes with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Pictured, from left, are Morgan Suszek as Krojack and Traci Boyle as Chef.

ALPENA ­– If you haven’t seen “Don’t Drink the Water” yet, you have Thursday through Sunday to check it out at Alpena Civic Theatre.

The gut-busting Woody Allen farce takes place in an American Embassy in an unnamed European country behind the Iron Curtain. Ambassador Magee has just been called away, leaving his incompetent son in charge — the same son whose previous exploits have gotten him expelled from at least 12 countries and the entire continent of Africa.

As soon as the Ambassador exits, chaos ensues and the Embassy is thrust into crisis when some hysterical American tourists rush in seeking refuge. The husband had been caught taking pictures in a restricted area, and he won’t give up his camera because he’s on vacation, and it’s his new hobby to take pictures. The Embassy is soon surrounded by communist police who are angrily pursuing the tourists they believe to be spies. The ruckus begins, with no end in sight. The tourists must try to concoct a plan to get out of Europe and back to New Jersey before they end up like the priest who has been at the Embassy for six years, honing his magician skills, which are still quite poor.

Directed by Matt Southwell, who also stars as the stubborn and boisterous hobby photographer and caterer Walter Hollander, the comedy takes place behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.

Diane Lozen plays Marion Hollander, Walter’s busybody housewife, with a thick Newark accent and a knack for getting her husband to do what she wants, by telling him to do the opposite. The chemistry between Southwell and Lozen is so strong, you forget you’re watching a play. It feels like you’re just eavesdropping on a middle-aged married couple barking at each other. It’s a hoot-and-a-half.

Kendra McInerney plays their 20-something free-spirited daughter, Susan Hollander, who might be engaged, but she won’t let that stop her from taking a strong liking to the most unlikely suitor, much to her father’s dismay.

Nick Hartman flawlessly portrays the inept chatterbox Axel Magee, son of Ambassador Magee, a commanding and dignified politician played by Bruce Michaud. The interactions between this father and son duo are spirited and intense. Hartman dives into the pool of joyful ineptitude that Axel Magee calls home, and Michaud towers over him in both stature and wisdom, shaking his head at his impetuous offspring.

Morgan Suszek plays the terrifying Krojak, whose entry into a room rivals that of a grizzly bear, and whose exit will send chills down your spine. Bridget Hollinshead plays his growling sidekick, who need say nothing, as the rifle in her hand and the snarl on her face tell all to stay away.

Zach Clement plays Kilroy, an anxiety-plagued assistant to the Ambassador whose competence far outshines that of his colleague Axel Magee. However, nepotism wins, and everyone loses their minds under the ignorant mismanagement of the Ambassador’s son.

Josh Gougeon plays Father Drobney, the fumbling, idealistic magician who shouldn’t quit his day job as a priest. Gougeon’s calm demeanor and peaceful voice add an element of balance to an otherwise haphazard situation.

Traci Boyle draws laughter upon every appearance as the exceptionally moody yet somehow charming Chef, with Hollinshead also taking on the role of her sidekick, who just can’t stop sobbing, to the point that it’s hilarious, but you almost feel bad for laughing.

Hollinshead rounds out her hat trick of roles by playing Kasnar at the party meant as a distraction to try to allow the Hollanders to escape the Embassy.

Randy Bouchard plays the Sultan of Bashir, accompanied by his kleptomaniac wife, who shall remain nameless. The pair enters with much fanfare, expecting the royal treatment 100% of the time, and what they get is mass chaos, but at least his wife gets some souvenirs in the process.

Christine Elowski plays the erratic yet helpful Mrs. Burns, the assistant to the Ambassador’s assistant, scurrying around as she is called to help with various tasks.

This comedy will keep you laughing from start to finish, with nonstop action and surprises aplenty. All the actors propel themselves into their characters, and one feels as though they, too, are trapped at the Embassy amid the frenzy, frantically brainstorming a plan to get home safe.

In his welcome, Southwell told the audience he is dedicating this play to the late Pat Jacques.

“Pat was my great friend and definitely a mentor beyond measure,” Southwell wrote in a portion of the program called Remembering Pat Jacques. “He was such a complete director and a brilliant communicator. You were never left wondering what he was asking of you.”

Jacques passed away on March 5, 2023, leaving behind a legacy full of friendship and cherished memories, many of which were made at Alpena Civic Theatre.

Crew members for “Don’t Drink the Water” include Southwell; Assistant Director Scott Edgar; Stage Manager Debbie Edgar; Costume Designer MaryAnn Crawford; Assistant Costume Designers Virginia Hulsey, Nan Hall, Jackie Herbert, and Marilyn Kettler; Set Designers/Constructors Ted Rockwell, Scott Edgar, and Tim Freeman; Lighting Designer Jay Kettler; Sound Designer and Technician Andrew MacNeill; Lighting Technician Scott Edgar; Paint Charge Danyeal Dorr; Exterior Sign Painter Taylor Ayotte; Photographer Bronwyn Woolman; Photo Board Makers Grace Morrison and Bronwyn Woolman; Intermission Hostess Doreen Kriniak; and Box Office Staff Fran Hamp, Jackie Herbert, Elaine Smith, Lois Darga, and Gerry Cawthra.

ACT extends special appreciation to Besser Male Chorus, First Presbyterian Church, and Irving Entertainment.

Tickets are $15 per adult and $8 per student. For tickets, call the box office at 989-354-3624. Hours are 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The theater is located at 401 River St., Alpena. Season tickets are available. Call the box office for details.