Aloha Theatre is inaugurating its 2023 season with Disaster!, a jukebox musical.
This Broadway musical pays homage to the ‘70s, parodying iconic disaster films. It has it all: disco era hits, singing, dancing, and… sharks?
The year is 1979 in Manhattan, and New York City’s beau monde elite are lining up for the grand opening of the floating Barracuda Casino and discotheque. Not unlike the Titanic, however, this floating palace is wrought with disaster. Recount the tale of a crooked businessman, a doomsday scientist, two scorned lovers, and more in 2023’s opening show.
Disaster! was created by Seth Rudetsky, and written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick. It premiered in 2012, and made its debut performance on Broadway in 2016. It draws inspiration from cult classics like “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Airport 1975,” as characters tackle problems after a night of boogying on the dancefloor turns into booking it off the ship.
This performance of Disaster! encapsulates the true spirit of community theater; Artistic Director Sara Athans has successfully orchestrated a coming-together that is fun, engaging, and colorful. The performance and set design is a testament to the community’s cleverness and talent, while staying true to its roots as a humble, small town theater production.
Aloha Theatre’s rendition of Disaster! features a colorful ensemble from Kona’s community, including Christopher Munjar (as Professor Ted Scheider), Brett McCardle (as Chad Rubik), Ryan Leinbach (as Jackie), and Taylor Deskin (as Marianne). Regulars at the Aloha Theatre may also recognize Michael Friedman, John Holliday, Rich Mears, and Kerry Matsumoto from the theater’s resident improv troupe, The HI Line.
A complete cast list is available on Aloha Theatre’s Instagram (@thealohatheatre).
New and old fans of theater alike will enjoy its farcical and dry humor, and comedic use of dummy props. At the very least, maybe you’ll learn about the true meaning of love? 2023 will be the Aloha Theatre’s first year operating at its full capacity since 2020. The next mainstage performance is slated to be “Descendants.”
Disaster! will be showing at the Aloha Theatre from Feb. 17 though March 19 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Adult admission is $29, children are $10.
To purchase tickets, visit apachawaii.org.