This Is Not a Drill

 This Is Not a Drill
A New Musical
The York Theatre
The Theatre at St. Jean’s
September 17, 2025

Photo courtesy of This Is Not a Drill

The York Theatre production of This Is Not a Drill is a humorous and emotional journey through the events of a highly traumatic situation.  Vacationers and residents of Hawaii face the unimaginable when an emergency alarm is sent out across the island.  Yes, this is based on the true event we all read and heard about in 2018.  The music and lyrics by Holly Doubet, Kathy Babylon, and John Vester are a combination of upbeat songs and emotional ballads, which create an electrifying atmosphere.  The book by Holly Doubet and Joseph McDonough weaves the tales of different characters into one cohesive story with a poignant message.  Director/Choreographer Gabriel Barre places clear focus on the characters so the audience can follow their personal journeys and relate to their renewed awareness. 

Chris Doubet & Matthew Curiano
Photo by Carol Rosegg, courtesy of This Is Not a Drill

Aloha!  Welcome to paradise, where people travel to escape their lives and rediscover themselves.  Jessica (played by Felicia Finley) travels to Hawaii alone.  Her husband backed out of the trip at the last minute.  She knows in her heart that he is having an affair.  Tony (played by Matthew Curiano) had to drag his partner, Chris (played by Chris Doubet), from his job responsibilities to enjoy a week away.  Chris can’t put his phone down, but Tony doesn’t let him get away with it.  Their foster son was recently returned to his biological family.  They are each coping with their loss in different ways.  Sophie (played by Aurelia Williams) and Derek (played by Gary Edwards) honeymooned in Hawaii.  Sophie hopes to rekindle their lost passion.  Derek is having health issues that are taking over his emotions, not to mention the alienation from his son, who Derek cannot accept is gay.  These hopeful vacations are brought to a sudden halt when the island receives an emergency notification that they are under attack.

Aurelia Williams & Gary Edwards
Photo by Carol Rosegg, courtesy of This Is Not a Drill

Aurelia Williams and Gary Edwards share genuine moments of loss as Sophie and Derek.  Their needs and desires are clearly expressed.  Matthew Curiano and Chris Doubet have a humorous rapport as Tony and Chris, even though their conflict and bickering is truthful.  Felicia Finley opens her heart as Jessica.  She is full of vigor and optimism, even though she knows her marriage is in trouble.  The personal challenges these characters face are all put into perspective when the alarm is sounded.  The scene in the emergency shelter gives them all pause to face their fears and previous choices, and realize what is most important in their lives.  This scene is a highly effective turning point for the story.  The cast skillfully portrays serious moments that lead to tender revelations.

Caitlan Burke, Kelvin Moon Loh, and Sam Poon play Leilani, Kaleo, and Ikaika, a Hawaiian family who are employed at the island resort to entertain the guests.  Ikaika is not comfortable putting on a phony front for the tourists.  He is resentful of his parents, and wants to leave the island.  The family conflict is truthful and divisive, and these three actors portray it sincerely.  The action that Ikaika takes not only leads to their resolution, but is the climactic moment for the full storyline. 

Photo by Carol Rosegg, courtesy of This Is Not a Drill

Lukas Poost brings energetic humor to the character of Anonymous Button Guy, the man who hits the emergency alarm.  His performance is solid, creating an overly dominant male character in a few short scenes.  The high humor of these scenes works very well in contrast to the personal and realistic emotion portrayed throughout the piece.

This Is Not a Drill is playing at The Theatre at St. Jean’s on the Upper East Side through October 11. 

Domenick Danza