(:)(:)(:)(:) unexpected snouts up for Disaster! at Sacramento Theater Company now. I went to this play because Michael Laun is the director and a group of his friends wanted to see him in action. A 70s pop song disaster musical that I’d never heard of sounded like it could be kinda fun, but that’s about it.
Well, I was right that it was fun and I was wrong that that was it. This fast-paced show is hilarious– with standout performances by Nicole Sterling as Sister Mary, Jamie Jones as Shirley and either Elizabeth Lamora or Katelyn Reeves as Lisa/Ben (whoever performed on May 4th at 8pm).
As a device, the use of 70’s pop songs to move the action along is genius. Most of them are snippets (so probably didn’t cost much to include) but the opening notes played by the able band have long since worn a groove in our collective minds. Even the youngest among us knew every song but one and most of the audience couldn’t help but sing along.
We were in stitches while the nun twerked a slot machine to “Never Can Say Goodbye;” rolling in the aisles while the 14 year old kid in the production belted out “When Will I Be Loved” and absolutely devastated when local favorite Jamie Jones saves the day by dancing and dying at the same time to a “Fifth of Beethoven.”
This director and choreographer certainly knew what they were doing. Delightful pop voices, dance moves and costumes from the era along with seriously excellent comic timing milk everything this musical has to offer. (And I’m not saying this because I know the director because I am a total snob when it comes to regional productions regardless of the connection.)
I should mention that this show also may give you the opportunity to see an dishonest criminally irresponsible sexual harrassing New York casino magnate eaten by barracudas. In this day and age, that can be cathartic to fantasize about …
This play is good for any age; perfect for a date or the whole family. Great idea for mother’s day weekend–lots of good laughs for mom.
Thanks for the recommendation!