Most people of a certain age can probably say they’ve at least heard of, if not watched many popular disaster films of the 1970s such as Airport, The Towering Inferno, Earthquake and The Poseidon Adventure.
Personally, I couldn’t get enough when I was a kid. They were epic. These films boasted major special effects for their time and enormous star power including the likes of Shelly Winters, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Fred Astaire, Gene Hackman and Helen Hayes. I also assume many people of a different age have no idea who most of those iconic actors are, but they were a big deal, and so was the fact that they made these movies.
Underscoring this heyday of disaster films was a soundtrack of disco, pop and easy listening hits that no doubt conjures up memories and emotions for anyone who had those songs imprinted on them. I recall sleepovers at my best friend’s house where we would record ourselves singing popular songs into a cassette player. One of my favorites was the soft rock hit by Morris Albert, “Feelings.” Our adolescent brains wondered why “(Dime)” was in the songbook next to the title. Every time I would belt out “FEEEEL-IIIINGS,” Pam would quietly say, “Dime” in the background, causing me to hit pause, rewind and start over. To this day, if I hear the song “Feelings,” I will smile and say to myself, “Dime.” Suffice it to say, I smiled a few times watching this show.
The elements of both the disaster film era and popular 70s music have been fused into a jukebox musical spoof that will leave audiences laughing, as long as they’re willing to climb on board this absurd cruise.
In its regional premier, the Hoogland Center for the Arts presents Disaster! (book by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick), codirected by the dynamic duo of Joe-Michael Jackson and Ginny Racette.
It’s 1979, and several big stars, a disaster expert, an intrepid reporter, a nun (because there’s always a nun in disaster films) and many more, find themselves on a floating casino of doom. The show sets up early on the pending disasters to come as we learn that weather warnings have been ignored, safety checks skipped and the ship’s owner is a typical sleazebag who only cares about himself and making money.
There are several other 70s disasters that make an appearance — polyester, poodle perms, unfortunate facial hair and a reference to that infamous black hole known as shag carpet. There’s plenty of boogying down as everyone awaits the fate of this colorful cast of characters.
Following in the footsteps of those popular films, this production is packed with local star power. Many performers who are often seen in leading roles shine in the ensemble and support a superb cast. If you attend theater often, you will be wowed once again by the talent onstage. Everyone is all-in on the silliness while showcasing their remarkable vocals and comedic chops.
The show was written to include lots of big and small moments for everyone, and they deliver, but there are a few standouts. Ryle Frey is perfect as the unscrupulous casino owner, Tony DelVecchio. His smarmy mannerisms and 70s style were like watching Chuck Barris play a villain. Sarah Reisch as the croaky-voiced Sister Mary Downy is a treat as she strums an off-tune guitar while trying to suppress two secrets: one, her gambling addiction, and two, her true vocals. And I can’t say enough about Genevieve Kent playing sardonic siblings Ben/Lisa. There are a couple of show stoppers in Disaster! and she’s in one of them. “When Will I Be Loved” in Act Two with Kent and the fabulous Brittney McLaughlin as her lounge singer mother, Jackie Noelle, is worth the price of admission alone. Lastly, Cynda Wrightsman’s pelvis-thrusting and scarf chomping will live large in my mind for some time to come.
Spoofing a slew of disaster films in a live production requires cleverness, creativity and solid timing. Props, sets, lights and sound effects by the team of Craig Steenerson, Melody Sheehan, Matt Albrecht, and Seth Hood are vibrant and effective. Special nod to state manager Jeremy Tackett for managing it all. Even if some of the gags are predictable or groan-inducing, it’s still a treat to watch them unfold. Era-perfect costumes by Rene Blank and wigs by Jessica Kent are additional highlights.
Disaster! provides some much-needed levity these days and it continues Friday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 217-523-2787 or online at hcfta.org.
