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| the cast of Disaster! photo by Wade Moran |
Click here for more information on this production that runs through February 10th.
"...Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick took iconic elements from many famous disaster movies and incorporated over two dozen hit songs from the 1970s to craft the musical comedy spoof Disaster!. Phoenix native Max Crumm, who co-starred in the Broadway production of the musical, appeared in many productions at Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale before starring in the Broadway revival of Grease. So it's fitting that his father Gary Crumm directs the Valley premiere of Disaster! at Desert Stages, featuring a cast who throw themselves into the hilarity in a production that is full of fun, creative elements....Gary Crumm's inspired direction brings as much lunacy and humor to the production as possible...with a cast who are all skilled comics and creative elements providing plenty of gags, both visual and audio, that get big laughs. While not all of the cast are great singers and some of them struggle a bit to hit the vocal requirements of the pop score, they all instill their characters with great affection and energy. ..While this is an ensemble piece with a dozen main characters, everyone gets plenty of moments to shine. Kelley Roberts is a complete hoot as Sister Mary Downey, and Rachel Crumm is just as impressive as Shirley. They both have exceptional comic timing, and know how to land every joke they are given, while also creating humorous, hilarious, and lovable characters. Also, in a crowd-pleasing performance, Xander Zeeb is simply superb as both Ben and Lisa, altering his voice and demeanor to play the rambunctious, fun loving twins. Jeremy Yampolsky and Amanda Glenn are a winning twosome as Chad and Marianne...With a spirited take on the part and a singing voice with an impressive range, Christian Luke Ottinger is perfect as the Professor. Kathi Osborne infuses Levora with plenty of know-it-all sassiness, Patrick McMullen is perfectly sleazy as Tony, and Erin Tarkington is equally as ditzy as Jackie. Troy Homewood is full of charm as Maury, and Donovan Blau is appropriately inept as Scott. Lynzee 4Man's choreography is a throw-back to all that is horribly bad and humorously awesome about 1970s period line dances, and Mickey Courtney's costumes are impressive in how they bring back the disastrous styles that were seemingly so hip at that time. ..With a cast who happily chew on the scenery while singing dozens of familiar songs, and direction that features zany pops of humor, Desert Stages' production is inspired lunacy that pays off with big laughs. It is a show that makes for a perfect escape." -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
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