‘Disaster!’ a jukebox musical built on 1970s camp
A jukebox musical coming to the Musical Theatre Guild of Butler combines the best of 1970s rock music and the disaster movies of the same decade.
“Disaster!” may be a musical that debuted in 2011, but its themes, music and story are all inspired by the pop culture of the 1970s. According to the director of MTG’s production, Patrick Erkman, the musical and its “campy and lighthearted” tone comes from the absurdity of the situations the characters find themselves in.
“It’s a fast-paced over-the-top musical,” Erkman said. “There are sharks and earthquakes and all kinds of disasters. But in a campy way.”
“Disaster!” will be shown in guild’s theater in Butler Memorial Park, where specialized lighting and practical props and effects mimic the disasters that make up the content of the musical.
The cast and crew of the show are also large — at least 20 people will appear onstage throughout the production — and the crew will be active throughout the show to construct the set pieces.
The content of the musical will be dramatic, Erkman said. Even the show’s setting is fantastical, and sets the stage for some of the shocking disasters that will take place throughout the show.
“The owner of the floating casino, Tony, says it’s going to be a night of gambling and spending time in a casino when, all of a sudden, disaster appears in many forms,” Erkman said.
“Lighting, sound, projections, specialized lighting — we're going to be pretty busy backstage.”
Erkman didn’t want to give away all of the songs featured in the show, but he said audiences may recognize “Knock on Wood,” by Amii Stewart, and “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” by England Dan & John Ford Coley.
But top of mind for Erkman, at least in recent rehearsals for the show, is the comedy.
“The crew, they’re already laughing. I have to try to keep some of my cast members talking, because they’re laughing too,” Erkman said. “I think younger generations would appreciate the humor.”
“Disaster!” shows at 7:30 p.m. April 17, 18, 24 and 25, and at 3 p.m. April 19 at the Musical Theatre Guild of Butler, William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall and Production Center, 100 Memorial Drive, Butler. Tickets are available at mtgbutler.org.
