The production opens June 27
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
A happy “Disaster” will soon be happening at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre.
The Cabaret will celebrate its summer season with “Disaster! — a 70’s disaster movie…Musical!,” which opens June 27.
“‘Disaster’ will set your summer on fire with farce, fun, and your favorite disco hits from the 70’s,” said Rick Robinson, the Cabaret’s managing director.
Songs will include “Hot Stuff,” “Saturday Night,” “I am Woman,” “Knock on Wood,” “I Will Survive,” and “Hooked on a Feeling,” along with other favorites.
The musical is set in 1979 as New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, including earthquakes, tidal waves, inferno and — yikes! — rats. Everyone aboard struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they’ve lost.
Touted as a comedic romp, “Disaster” was created and written by Broadway notables Seth Rudestsky and Jack Plotnick.
The “Disaster” cast includes several Cabaret veterans: Rebecca Tucker (‘Play That Goes Wrong”), Asha Brownie Gordon (“Little Shop of Horrors,” “Full Monty,” “Beehive”), Todd Nielsen (“Little Shop of Horrors,” “Sweeney Todd)”, Alex Boyles (“Waitress,” “Little Shop of Horrors”), Priscilla Quinby (“Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” “Full Monty”), Christie Dabreau (“White Christmas,” “Backwards in High Heels”), along with Alyssa Hertzog, Aidan Jenkins, Braydon Simmons, and Sasha Conley, who have all been understudies for previous Cabaret productions. First-time Cabaret performers include Ric D Wasserman, Ian Christenson, and Molly Stilliens.
Valerie Rachelle, the Cabaret’s artistic director, directs and is the musical’s co-choreographer. She most recently directed “Gentleman’s Guide” and “Play That Goes Wrong.” Others involved in the production team include music director Mike Wilkins, intimacy director Jackie Apodaca, assistant director Julia Funk, and stage manager Amanda Rose Johnson. Brian Redfern, who designed what Robinson terms the show’s “versatile set,” is joined on the design team by lighting designer Monica Bowker, costume designer Kristie Mattson, sound designer CJ Whitaker, projection designer Michael Stanfill, wig designer Alejandro Bermudez, and prop designer Kenny Murrell.
If it were a movie, “Disaster!” would be rated PG-13 for mild coarse language, comic violence, and adult situations, according to the Oregon Cabaret website.
“Disaster!”opens Friday, June 27 and closes on Sunday, September 7. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 1 p.m., with evening performances at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights.
Reservations are required for pre-show dinner or brunch. Appetizers, cocktails, beverages, and desserts are available without reservations. Tickets range from $32 to $54. The Cabaret offers a 15% ticket discount for groups of 12 or more for select ticket types and performances. $15 student rush tickets can be purchased 30 minutes before curtain with a valid student ID, subject to availability.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Oregon Cabaret Theatre box office at 541-488-2902 or visit oregoncabaret.com.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net.
