Prepare to laugh as Pierrot Productions presents “Disaster! A Musical” at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre. Dates and show times are Fridays, June 8 and 15 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, June 9 and June 16 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, June 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.
Audiences can relive — or discover for the first time — an era at the movies that brought disaster at every turn. When a group of New Yorkers attends the opening of a floating casino and disco, chaos ensues in the form of multiple calamities that harken back to such films as “Earthquake,” “The Swarm,” and “The Poseidon Adventure.”
The parody is full-on ’70s, adorned by cringe worthy fashions like platform shoes and bell bottoms, and set to the beat of hit songs such as “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Sky High,” “I Am Woman” and “Hot Stuff.” Written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, the show had a 2016 run on Broadway that included a Tony Award nomination.
The ensemble cast features Chris Schmalbach, of Palmyra, as Ted; Haley Schmalbach, of Palmyra, as Sister Mary; Jennifer Fischer, of Hamilton, as Marianne; Jennifer Winn, of Ewing, as Jackie; Jim Petro, of Hamilton, as Chad; Joe Zedeny, of East Windsor, as Tony; Connor McDowel, of Levittown, as Scott; Jeffrey Milstein, of East Windsor, as Maury; Joseph Stockette, as Langhorne, as Jake; Nicholas Benedetti, of Ewing, as Ben/Lisa; Ally Masson of Levittown, as Levora; and Gina Migliaccio, of Hamilton, as Shirley. Playing multiple roles are Mike Wemer, of Mt. Holly, and Dana Cavagnaro, of Hillsborough.
The production team includes artistic director Pete LaBriola, musical director Lou Woodruff, vocal director Janine Bowen and choreographer Kat Ross-Kline.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students/children. Tickets may be purchased online at kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
Hanging on for dear life in “Disaster! A Musical” are Chris Schmalbach, front; middle row, from left, Haley Schmalbach, Ally Masson, Jennifer Fischer, Dana Cavagnaro, and Nicholas Benedetti; back row, Joe Zedeny, Jim Petro and Jennifer Winn.,
