WHATCo’s Mainstage season proudly presents “Disaster!”
The show is a musical paying homage to the 1970s disaster film genre, featuring iconic songs from the era. Hits like “Knock on Wood,” “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Sky High,” “I Am Woman,” and “Hot Stuff” will set the stage for a hilarious musical comedy with a book by three-time Emmy Award nominee and SiriusXM Broadway host, Seth Rudetsky, along with Jack Plotnick.
Set in 1979, amidst the opening of a floating casino and discotheque in New York, the musical unfolds a night filled with A-listers, including a faded disco star, a nightclub singer with her twins, a disaster expert, a feminist reporter, an older couple with secrets, young guys on the prowl, an untrustworthy businessman, and a gambling-addicted nun. As the ship succumbs to disasters like earthquakes, tidal waves, and infernos, the night transforms into a struggle for survival, intertwined with repairing lost love and escaping killer rats.
Theater Auditions in Harrison, NJ (Newark Area) for “Deadly Dessert Championship.”
Open auditions for “Disaster!”
Directed by Jessa Blackthorne.
Musical direction by Scott Burzynski.
Choreography by Bong Dizon.
Audition Date & Times:
Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 2 pm – 5 pm
Sunday, January 28, 2024, from 7 pm – 10 pm
Callbacks on Monday, January 29, 2024, from 7 pm to 10 pm
Location: 15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South, Harrison, NJ (the former Holy Cross High School)
Production Dates: April 26, 27, and May 2, 3, 4 @ 7:30 pm/ April 28 @ 2:00 pm
Rehearsals Begin: February 2024, exact schedule TBD
Prepare 32 bars of a 70s Pop song for auditions. Please bring music in the correct key, an accompanist will be provided, and be ready to dance. Actors will also be asked to read from the provided sides.
Character Descriptions:
- Chad: Handsome and winning man. Tenor with a great rock and pop voice. Age: 25 to 40
- Scott: Goofy guy, a nerd who wants to be cool. Tenor with a sweet voice. Age: 25 to 40
- Ted: Disaster expert. Non-emotional, professorial type. Baritone. Age: 35 to 50
- Marianne: Attractive and focused journalist. High pop belt. Age: 25 to 40
- Tony: Unscrupulous but attractive middle-aged schemer. Age: 35 to 50
- Jackie: Aging but still sexy showgirl and lounge singer. Goldie Hawn-esque. Pop belt. Age: 32 to 42
- Ben / Lisa: Smart boy and girl twins. Amazing pop voice. Age: 10 to 13 (open to adult actors as well)
- Sister Mary Downy: Awkward, judgmental nun with a gambling addiction. High belt. Age: 30 to 50
- Shirley: Lovable and jolly Jewish woman. Tap Dancing a plus. Age: 50 to 65
- Maury: Lovable and jolly. Pop voice. Age: 50 to 65
- Levora Verona: Flamboyant and glamorous faded disco diva. High belt to an E. Age: 30 to 50
- Ensemble: Various glamorous party guests/character roles. Ages: 25+
For additional details and questions, contact disaster@whatconj.org.
