Review of "Disaster!"

Portions of this critique were used in a previous review of the show.

For audiences of a certain age, 1970’s disaster movies are remembered for their overblown silliness and ‘A’ list casts.  These films are lovingly satirized in the musical Disaster!, the first offering of the summer Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Storrs, CT.  The show is a mash-up of such classics of the genre as Earthquake, The Towering Inferno, and The Poseidon Adventure.  As with their celluloid brethren the production is over-the-top, self-conscious, and schmaltzy.

 

Seth Rudetsky as Dr. Ted Scheiderman in DISASTER! onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre thru June 16, 2018.  Info at crt.uconn.edu.  Photo by Gerry Goodstein.

Book writers Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick have stitched together a smattering of plot lines from disaster movies.  They involve an overly floating casino, shoddily constructed; an earthquake; tidal wave; and absurd mayhem.  They have also added a bevy of featherbrained characters.  There are many sight gags and inventive devices integrated into the libretto.  However, by the beginning of Act II the set-up begins to get a little thin and tiresome.  There’s just so much a spoof of this nature can achieve.  Then, again, you don’t attend this show for its dramatic merit. 

The score is comprised entirely of hits songs from the era, including such personal favorites as the “Hawaii 5-0” theme song; “Saturday Night,” from the Bay City Rollers; and “Hooked on a Feeling,” by Blue Suede.  They are creatively and mirthfully integrated into the storyline.  For example, two trapped passengers sing “Knock Three Times” as they try to signal the other survivors about their worsening plight.

 

Seth Rudetsky as Dr. Ted Scheiderman and Angie Schworer as Jackie in DISASTER! onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre thru June 16, 2018.  Info at crt.uconn.edu.  Photo by Gerry Goodstein.

The cast plays it straight, which adds to the over-the-top humor of the production.  Notables include co-writer, Sirius/XM Broadway radio host Seth Rudetsky as the disaster expert Ted Scheider; Nick Nudler as Tony, the crass, sleazebag owner of the high seas gambling establishment at the epicenter of the show; Ben Jackson Walker as the damaged heartthrob Chad; Alyah Scott as Marianne, the crusading reporter; Anne L. Nathan and Griffin Binnicker as Shirley and Chad, grating, but kind-hearted retirees; and Angie Schworer as Jackie, the harried, scantily talented songstress.  Special mention goes to Sana Sarr, playing the twins Ben and Lisa.  The young actor is a very talented performer in a somewhat demanding role.  So, too, is Maggie McDowell who portrays Sister Mary, a cynical nun with a past.  She consistently enlivens the production every time her black patent leather shoes set foot on stage.

 

Maggie McDowell as Sister Mary Downy in DISASTER! onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre thru June 16, 2018.  Info at crt.uconn.edu.  Photo by Gerry Goodstein.

Choreographer Mary Ann Lamb has mined the pulsating beat of the disco era for inspiration in her highly energetic, thumping dance numbers.

 

The point of Disaster! is for the audience and actors to have a shipshape, top notch experience and Plotnick, doing double duty as director, makes this the priority.  On opening night both groups were successfully having a rollicking good time.  The director helms the show with a breezy, carefree, and somewhat slapdash style.  Sometimes it appears like a good-natured college production.

Disaster!, fun, entertaining, and not to be taken too seriously.