By Doug Iden
An outrageous spoof of 1970’s movies literally and figuratively upend the stage as Disaster! A 70s Disaster Movie….Musical frolics at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater. Written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, it took Broadway by storm in 2016.
PLOT AND CHARACTERS
There is not a lot of story here. The plot, such as it is, is used primarily as a setup for an entire evening of farce, sight gags, exaggerated stereotypical, almost cartoonish characters who are trying to overcome or adjust their lives during several disasters.
And that’s ok.
Desperate for some level of success, Tony Delvecchio (Sean Miller-Jones) plans to open Manhattan’s first floating casino and discotheque but cuts corners on safety items for lack of funds. Professor Ted Scheider (Jaylen Turner) forecasts an impending disaster because the pier is drilled into a fault line and tries to warn everyone. Chad Rubik (Ryan Whitford) is distraught because his fiancée Marianne Wilson (Savannah Slaby) left him at the alter and he takes a caterer’s job at the casino. Marianne is an ambitious journalist who suspects Tony of malfeasance.
Jackie Noelle (Chloe Hedrick) is a lounge singer engaged to Tony and mother to twins Ben and Lisa–both played by Sophie Williams. Levora Verona (Karli Smith) is an aging singer trying for a revival while Sister Mary Downey (Tasha Conzelman) rails against gambling while being a recovering addict herself. Finally, married couple Shirley (Leslie Taylor) and Maury (John Langley) celebrate their recent retirement. Suddenly, there is an earthquake followed by a tsunami which turns the boat upside down and everyone fights for survival.
THEMES
Primarily this is a spoofy homage to 1970’s disaster films but there are some serious themes addressed (mostly comedically) including gambling addition, corruption, feminism, greed, disaffection and disloyalty. However, all the characters are yearning for a second chance at redemption which makes us root for them.
HUMOR
This is a very funny show although some of the humor is a bit crude and sophomoric. All the theater elements (acting, direction, sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound effects and music) mesh to establish the humor. There are a bazillion sight gags, almost too many for a single viewing. Tony is caught in rising water with sharks circling him while singing “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” Ted, who has vertigo, tries to rescue others by walking on a high beam to the music of “Nadia’s Theme.” Even some characters names are puns. Chad Rubik is a wannabe toy designer.
MUSIC
All the music is pop tunes from the 1970’s so there is no original score. There is even a joke that they could not sing one song because they did not have the rights. The songs, however, either convey a character’s emotions or are used as ironic, comedic backdrops to a scene. Marianne, the feminist, sings “I Am Woman”, Maury and Shirley share their love with “Still the One” while Chad and Marianne reunite with “I’d Really Like to See You Tonight”. Comedic underpinnings include “Knock on Wood”, theme from Hawaii 5-0 and” Sky High”. The singing is good, highlighted by Whitford, Slaby and Conzelman. Miller-Jones and Smith are appropriately overwrought.
PRODUCTION
Director Kat Moser-Priddy orchestrates the frenetic pace masterfully. Denny Reed’s lighting accentuates the impending earthquake shocks, enhanced by frantic movements by the actors. The costuming designed by Jenny Herndon morphs from very colorful, almost gaudy 1970’s apparel to torn and dirty costumes in the second act. ony starts with a gaudy blue suit and ends up with a ragged, filthy costume, complete with sharks for arms.
Brett Bowlings set design is reminiscent of an old ocean liner with a lot of action shown through portholes on the second floor. Various props add to the sight gags including slot machines, life-sized dummies, and puppets for sharks, rats, piranhas and dogs. Choreographer Genevieve Perrino invokes many 1970’s dances including disco with a revolving ball. The music is pre-recorded by Michael Spesser. The actors seemed to be having fun while overacting and emoting to enhance the comedy of exaggeration.
OVERALL
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy an evening of earthquakes, tidal waves, sharks, rats, piranhas and mayhem?
The show is a funny, over-the-top fantasy with loony but lovable characters showing impeccable comedic timing. Even if you are not a fan of the movies being spoofed (The Poseidon Adventure, The Singing Nun, etc.), you should enjoy the lunacy of the evening. So, grab your lifejacket and swim over to the Incline Theater for a delightful dive into Disaster! running through May 10, 2026.
TICKETS: Contact the CLP box office online HERE or call 513-241-6550, Monday – Friday 11am to 5pm.
