Blank Canvas Theatre’s ‘Disaster’ is a merry mix of mayhem

Earthquakes, tidal waves, fires, rats, piranhas, sharks and an upside down ship are all part of the fun at Blank Canvas Theatre’s production of Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick’s musical “Disaster”.

Echoing the “disaster films” of the 70s and tightly loaded with 29 musical numbers of that era the show is packed full of entertainment. Blank Canvas is locally famous for bringing off beat musicals based on horror films to their tiny living room size stage. Through the use of brilliant choreography, outstanding local musicians and a very talented cast they fill the theater to capacity on a regular basis.

The setting is 1979 New York City (Manhattan to be exact), on board the floating casino and discotheque “The Barracuda”. It is opening night as guests line up to board the soon to be ill-fated ship (“Hot Stuff”). Tony (Trey Gilpin), the casino’s owner has run out of money and has cut corners on a grocery list of safety features.

First to arrive is Marianne (Neely Gevaart) a journalist sent to cover the opening night as a social event. She meets up with Ted (Jack Routhier) a professor specializing in natural disasters. The professor has discovered that the Barracuda is tied to a pier whose pilings have been sunk into a dangerous and shifting fault line. He is there to gather water samples in order to prove his theory. Marianne sees this situation as an opportunity for a scoop and goes on board.

As the guests board, a stern Sister Mary Downey (Natalie Golz) is collecting money for the orphan’s fund while warning them that gambling is a sin (“The Lord’s Prayer”). She meets up with Shirley (Kate Leigh Michalski) and Maury Summers (Kenny Lear) who are there to celebrate Maury’s retirement. Rather than making a donation, Shirley buys a ticket for Sister Mary and the three enter the ship. Levora Verona (Angel Tyler) arrives with her little dog “Baby” as she out-runs the cab driver that she stiffed for the fare (“Theme from Mahogany”). Once a disco star Levora has fallen on hard times but hopes to win back her fortune while on board.

Meanwhile, Jackie (Sophia Edwards), a lounge singer, gets ready to perform as her 11-year-old twins Ben and Lisa (Luke Jones) look on. Jackie hopes that her performance will convince Tony to pop the question. Tony enters the dressing room as a tremor shakes the ship causing Ben’s Lite Brite toy to fall to the floor with the pieces being absorbed in the deep shag carpeting. Jackie goes on stage and wows the opening night crowd (“Saturday Night”) as Professor Ted runs in to warn that their dancing might trigger an earthquake. Tony throws Ted off the ship.

Meanwhile, while fending off Tony’s advances (“Do You Want To Make Love”), Jackie comes across Chad (Tony Heffner), her ex-fiance who she jilted at the altar in order to chase her career (“I am Woman”). Jackie apologizes to Chad for leaving him as he assures her that it is fine as he retreats to a bathroom to cry (“Without You”).

Meanwhile, Sister Mary it seems has a gambling problem and the ship features her favorite slot machine “Hawaii Five-O”. The professor manages to stay on the ship and make his way to Jackie’s dressing room where he tells the twins to find the captain and ready the lifeboats as he is almost discovered by Tony. Donning a bird mask Jackie drags him along on stage (“Mockingbird”).

Meanwhile, a slightly drunk Marianne runs into Shirley and Maury who convince her that marriage is great (“Still The One”). At the same time Chad sings about Marianne, Marianne sings about Chad and Ted sings about his deceased wife Wo (who died falling into a volcano) (“Feelings”).

Meanwhile, Levora (who is down to her last quarter) is upset that Sister Mary’s out-of-tune guitar is upsetting Baby and is insulted that the sister does not know any of her disco hits that all have sexually suggested lyrics. Levora leaves and drops the quarter which Sister Mary finds. She goes through a crisis of faith. Should she give it to the orphans or gamble and win them more (“Never Can Say Goodbye”). She ends up gambling away the entire orphan fund.

Meanwhile, Sister Mary and Shirley take the same elevator as Shirley admits to having a fatal disease. The warning signs are uncontrolled winking, hip thrusts and inappropriate verbal outbursts. Shirley is contemplating suicide but Sister Mary talks her out of it.

Meanwhile, Ben and Lisa run into Chad and tell him that an earthquake is coming as he runs off to find Marianne.

Meanwhile, a wealthy female guest approaches Levora with an offer to buy Baby. Levora refuses and finding one last quarter knocks on wood (“Knock On Wood”) as the rest of the patrons take up the call. Soon, everyone is knocking and stomping as Ted runs in to get them to stop. As they carefully tip toe out of the room, Levora’s last quarter falls winning the grand prize (“Hawaii Five-O Theme”) as a wave of quarters spill on the floor triggering the earthquake. At this point it all goes to ….

First off, let’s talk about the eight member band conducted by Matt Dolan. They are superb giving wonderful renditions to the array of standard songs. Director Johanna Cullinan keeps the lightening fast pace going through out. Liz Baumgartner’s choreography is absolutely inspiring given the small stage space. Luke Scattergood’s disco and hip 70’s costuming brought back a lot of memories. The collection of mannequins constructed for the show are an absolute hoot. Patrick Ciamacco’s design for lighting, projection and sound is once again spot on. He also designed the set that proved very functional.

As for the actors, as a group they have a very powerful singing presence during the many musical numbers. Of special note is Sophia Edwards as Jackie, Neely Gevaart as Marianne, Trey Gilpin as Tony, Natalie Golz as Sister Mary Downey, Tony Heffner as Chad, Luke Jones as Lisa, Jack Routhier as Ted, Angel Tyler as Levora and Kenny Lear and Kate Leigh Michalski as Maury and Shirley.

Disaster movies are a big part of the Hollywood offerings even now and for every disaster film there is a ribald comedic send up. This show takes the best of all the classic films of the 70s and blends them seamlessly together while dovetailing the songs in as an integral part of the plot. Brilliant and hilarious.

The Blank Canvas production of “Disaster” will be on stage at 78th Street Studios located at 1305 West 78th Street, Suite 211, Cleveland, Ohio. For more information and to purchase tickets go to http://www.blankcanvastheatre.com or call (440) 941-0458.