WHAT: Disaster!
WHERE: Rochester Opera House
BLURB: Foolishness with LOL Ludicrous Humor
HIGH POINT: A Luscious Lot Of Voices
TL;DR
Likely the most foolish satirical script ever produced, which has you laughing out loud at the pure cheek of it. It also sports an incredible collection of talent that totally satisfies. A great grey, winter night outing.
Disaster! is one of the most ridiculous musicals written, even among the jukebox genre, which is not known for blistering storylines. But it is brazenly terrible, takes out the crazy and flags it in your face, then laughs at its own audacity. Much to your chagrin you're joining in - a lot.
To try to get a bead on this one, think Earthquake, Poseidon Adventure and other disaster classics, add in 1970s tunes, tidal waves, piranhas, rats, a sleazy casino owner, and a nun - for starters.
The musical is set on a floating casino, owned by the unsavory Tony. As happy partiers come aboard for its grand opening, disaster expert Ted tries to warn Tony of a pending earthquake, and to convince him to evacuate everyone. Of course the greedy git won't hear of it.
Meanwhile, in other threads, couples navigate tender emotions, a news reporter tries to prove Tony broke safety rules, a faded star looks for meaning, a mom and her twins seek happiness, a nun must choose between two worlds, and Ted, ever vigilant, tries to warn them of pending doom while being hunted by Tony.
Disaster! sets itself apart from most jukebox shows; its selected hits suit the action, advancing plot points, expressing moods, or standing in for a conversation. And there lies a lot of the guffaws, both in the absolute cheek of the choice, or the cleverness of it.
Mary Jardine (Photo Credit: Anna Lynn Arts)
There are nearly three dozen songs including, Hot Stuff, Saturday Night, Feelings, Ben, and I Will Survive among them.
The rest of the laughs come from ridiculous gags, overused jokes, and the incredible deliveries by a cast clearly cognizant of the play's slant. They're having a ball with it, and bringing the audience in on the fun.
First and foremost Director/Choreographer Taryn Herman did a brilliant job casting. She also smartly directed the characters' personalities. Her staging is well set, and choreography on point - the morse code scene is riotous.
The production's Achilles is pacing. It was viewed opening weekend, and so much was right. So, it's a hard call, as to whether it's a director or an early stage issue. Either way, given the type of show, picking up the pace will give its humor more bounce.
There's certainly nothing amiss with the performances. First the voices. This is a markedly talented group of singers - solo and collectively. Just when you think you've heard the standout voice someone else bursts into song and floors you.
The very few that lean towards character voices are cast in well suited roles, plus these actors astutely sell their tunes. The rest of them - well it's an embarrassment of riches. In no particular order Amanda Dane, Michelle Faria, Erin McMillen, Mary Jardine, Brianna Javis, and Linette Miles are among the jewels.
Chris Bradley, and (though a short feature,) Kevin Mahaney add vocal interest, "and the whole gang" come together to make an incredibly pleasing sound.
In addition, to a person, this cast delivers delightful acting performances.
Left to Right; Samantha Antoniewicz, Anthony Ejarque, Sophie Calderwood
(Photo Credit: Anna Lynn Arts)
There's so many great moments. Chris Bradley, as the professor, treats his fans to a true Bradley moment as he crosses perilous waters.
Jamie Bradley as Maury and Miles as his wife (who dominates the tapping scene) are priceless. Jardine as Sister Mary doesn't need the broad moves to crack you up; her demeanor and facial takes are quite enough. And Faria as the twins Ben and Lisa is hilarious and fascinating - and so it goes. Everyone deserves mention in this production: there's Dane, captivating as Jackie; McMillen, impeccable as Marianne; John Furey, smooth as Chad, Anthony Ejarque, aptly atrocious as Tony; Davis, a sassy Levora, and Jonathan Acorn a perfectly awkward Scott, along with the ensemble, Samantha Antoniewicz, Sophie Calderwood, Mahaney and Justin Demers, continue the color.
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