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Clockwise from top left: MICHELE RAGUSA, John Treacy Egan, Charity Dawson, Haven Burton, Jonah Verdon and Jennifer Simard; Jennifer Simard as Sister Mary; Matt Farcher as Chad and Haven Burton as Marianne; Inset, Riverdalian Drew Geraci, Associate Director, concept creator and contributing chorographer.
Photos by Jeremy Daniel
A tuneful ‘Disaster!’ strikes off-Broadway mrajamani@riverdalepress.com
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t’s the grand opening of New York City’s first floating casino, and the atmosphere is chaotic. Casino owner Tony Delvecchio is in debt. Casino-goer Shirley is trying to hide her life-threatening illness from her husband. A young reporter, Marianne, runs into a former flame while on assignment. A casino performer struggles to raise her twins singlehandedly. A former casino star struggles with financial woes. A nun named Sister Mary warns guests about the evils of gambling while fighting off her own addiction. In the midst of it all, scientist Ted brings the news of an impending disaster: “You’ve got to get everyone off this casino,” he says. An earthquake is nearing. It’s the setup of off-Broadway musical Disaster!, and while it is reminiscent of classic 70s disaster movies like The Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake, and The Swarm, fans of the films might be surprised to see common disaster archetypes bursting into classic songs like “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” “Hot Stuff,” and “Don’t Bring Me Down.” “It’s the most horrible night you could ever imagine living through,” said Riverdale resident Drew Geraci, the show’s associate director. Characters in the musical comedy must maneuver their way through an obstacle course that includes tidal waves, killer bees and hungry sharks to make their way off the floating casino. The show originally developed
around the idea of a musical about the blackout of 1977, but quickly expanded to cover a series of unfortunate events. “There’s so many other disasters out there,” Mr. Geraci joked. “Why don’t we add other disasters to it?” Co-writer Seth Rudetsky credits a love of 70s disaster movies – The Poseidon Adventure in particular – for his interest in creating the show. “I always loved that movie and I was always obsessed with disasters,” said Mr. Rudetsky. After stints at The Box and Triad theaters in Manhattan, the cast and crew of Disaster! have found a more permanent home at St. Luke’s Church in Manhattan, a venue that seats around 170 people. Since it opened, the show has garnered rave reviews; a New York Times piece describes the show’s “inspired lunacy” and Tina Fey recommends the show to lovers of 70s music and hilarious jokes in a video on the show’s website.
Empathetic characters While the show parodies disaster movie stereotypes, Mr. Geraci said the writers, Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, have created a show in which the usual archetypes are fully fleshed out characters with whom the audience can empathize. “Even the bad guys, you feel something for eventually because you understand who they are,” Mr. Geraci said.
Mr. Geraci said the timing of the show is a result of the resurgence of retro 70s music in popular culture. One of the draws of the show is for audience members to try to figure out which song is coming next. “There are a lot of songs that don’t get a lot of airplay anymore that are like, oh my God, I haven’t heard that song in 30 years,” he said. Mr. Geraci wears many hats in the production. Along with directing, he developed the concept behind the musical, choreographed and, as an understudy, has played the role of casino owner Tony, scientist Ted and even eccentric casinogoer Shirley. This week, he will once again don a wig and Photo by Marisol Díaz makeup when he reprises the “Shirley” role normally played The show gives the audience a by actress Judy Gold. glimpse into the lives of casino workMr. Geraci is no stranger to Broaders and casino-goers as they travel way. He has been involved in musical about the casino, and their stories in- theater since the 80s, and currently tertwine as they come together to deal lives on Broadway in Riverdale with with the disasters at hand. Some of its his husband Larry and their 2-year-old most comedic moments arise as drama son Anthony. Mr. Geraci’s first gig was segues into songs that relate to the as an understudy in a traveling produccrisis at hand; Jennifer Simard’s nun tion of A Chorus Line, a role for which character, Sister Mary, belts out “Torn he drove from his hometown of ChiBetween Two Lovers” as she tries to cago to Mississippi to audition. choose between her love of God and While living in Los Angeles, Mr. her love of gambling; when young ac- Geraci took a trip home to Chicago for tor Jonah Verdon, who plays both the Christmas, where he got a call about brother and sister in a set of twins, has a job as an understudy for The Scarlet to carry his brother out of the rubble Pimpernel. (while he’s dressed as the sister char“My family was like, New York acter), he sings the classic “He Ain’t called!” Mr. Geraci recalls. The day Heavy, He’s My Brother.” after Christmas, he moved to New
York City. He toured with the show for a year and a half and met his future husband on set. After living in Park Slope and New Jersey, the couple moved to Riverdale, where they have resided for the past 12 years. Along with Disaster! Mr. Geraci has worked on productions of Forever Plaid, Crazy for You, and Nunsense, to name a few of his many theatrical endeavors. Currently, he is co-writing a screenplay about a retired widower who unwittingly moves into a gay and lesbian retirement home. “It’s about a man who finds family in the least likely place,” Mr. Geraci said.
Broadway bound? The show’s creators hope that with its increasing popularity, Disaster! will be able to make the move from the small stage in St. Luke’s Church to Broadway. While the show caters to people familiar with 70s culture, audiences of all ages can enjoy the show thanks to its well-written characters, Mr. Geraci said. “It’s not just a night of laughs,” said Mr. Geraci. “You connect with these people.” Mr. Rudetsky said the 70s allusions do not hinder the younger generations from enjoying the show. “It appeals to people on different levels,” said Mr. Rudetsky. “The older people remember back to when they were in their 40s and the kids come and love the show [as it is]. They’re not laughing at the songs, but they love the comedy of it.”
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