“Disaster!” Hits Northern California

In these tough times, the last thing one needs is a capsized boat and a gambling nun. But that’s what we have with the Sacramento Theatre Company’s production of “Disaster!” which plays through May 12.

“Disaster!” is a spoof of disaster movies that started Off-Broadway in New York before moving to the Broadway stage for a limited run with a star-studded cast.

Now it’s been made available to regional theatre and STC smartly snapped it up for its local debut.

The story, as simple as it is, involves a group of people who face earthquakes and infernos, all the while on board a sinking ship while facing the biggest disaster of them all: 1970s songs.

The Broadway and comedic geniuses Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick took over a decade to perfect this outrageously funny story, all the while intercutting fitting 1970s songs a la jukebox musical style.

All of the characters are a riot but standouts include a soft-spoken nun with droll delivery and a pair of twins that never seem to be in the room at the same time (you’ll see why!).

Mix in 1970s songs “Feelings,” “Torn Between Two Lovers,” “Ben” and even “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” and you have a snort-laugh-out loud night at the theatre.

With all that’s going on in the world, this “Disaster!” might be just (don’t excuse the pun) the morning after we need. This humor is so contagious, that it’s even got me trying to be punny.

Get tickets and information at www.sactheatre.org/shows/disaster