Disaster!
By Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick
Concept created by Seth Rudetsky and Drew Geraci
Additional Material by Drew Geraci
Directed by Nino Casisi
Music Directed by Maria Milazzo
THE STORY:
Disaster! is a new musical straight from Broadway, featuring some of the most unforgettable songs of the 70s. “Knock on
Wood,””Hooked on a Feeling,””Sky High,”I Am Woman,”and “Hot Stuff” are just a few of the scintillating hits in this hilarious
musical comedy with a book by three-time Emmy Award nominee and SiriusXM Broadway host, Seth Rudetsky, and Jack Plotnick.
It’s 1979, and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. Also attending is a faded disco star, a sexy nightclub singer with her eleven-year-old twins, a disaster expert, a feminist reporter, an older couple with a secret, a pair of young guys who are looking for ladies, an untrustworthy businessman and a nun with a gambling addiction. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, such as earthquakes, tidal waves and infernos. As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they've lost… or at least
escape the killer rats.
AUDITION DATES:
August 26 and 27 (5:30-8PM both days)
Round One Breakdown Singing Auditions from 5:30-6:15PM
Choreography Auditions from 6:15-7PM
Round Two Breakdown Singing Auditions from 6:15-7:15PM (no singing auditions after 7:15PM)
Choreography Auditions from 7:15-8PM
Thursday, August 29 – 5:30-8PM (By Director Invitation Only)
LOCATION: Roger T. Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion Street, Independence, MO 64050 – 4 th Floor
PRODUCTION DATES: November 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7PM and Sunday, November 3 and 10 at 2PM
WHAT TO PREPARE: Please prepare 16-32 bars of a Broadway style song or a 1970’s pop/disco song that will demonstrate your vocal range and in your key. Please do not prepare the entire song selection. Make sure your audition piece is memorized and have a copy for the provided accompanist with your vocal part highlighted. No a cappella singing or music from a device (i.e. CD, I-
POD, MP3, cell phone, etc.). Please, try to be familiar with the concept of the show, the characters & music from the show; the more you are prepared, the better chances you have to get a role. Some roles rely heavily on a certain look, age or body characteristic to be
played in conjunction with the show and director’s vision. Please know this going into auditions.
WHAT TO BRING: Current Resume and a complete list of conflicts from September 3 – October 18 (No Conflicts after thisdate).
Dedication and commitment to City Theatre of Independence, the director and fellow actors is of utmost importance, so the
less conflicts you have, the better your chances of getting a role. Regarding conflicts, please remember Vacations and your
Holiday Schedule before auditioning, as these may be a factor in the casting process. Headshots are welcome, but not required. Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, September 3 with a Read-Thru and will then run Monday-Thursday, with a Full
Day Technical Rehearsal with all cast and crew scheduled for Sunday, October 27 starting at 9AM (break for lunch between 2-3PM); going into Tech Week, this is NOT an option.
TIPS: All roles require comedic chops in parody and comedy and great vocals to bring these characters to life!! Some
characters have accents (locale is mostly Northeastern – New York, New Jersey, Brooklyn, Jewish, etc), so please be ready
to jump into an accent if asked or give it your best attempt.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Chad Rubik (Male, 35-43, Tenor), A handsome and winning man. Pretends to be a player but is really still heartbroken over the loss of his first love. Tenor with a great rock and pop voice. Vocal range top: B4
Scott (Male, 30-40, Tenor), Goofy guy. A nerd who wants to be cool. Tenor with a sweet voice. Vocal range top: B4
Professor Ted Scheider (Male, 40-50, Tenor), A disaster expert. Non-emotional. Dry. A serious, professorial type. Vocal range top: G4
Marianne (Female, 33-40, Mezzo-Soprano), An attractive and focused journalist. Insecure underneath it all. Great, high pop belt. Vocal
range top: F#5
Tony Del Vecchio (Male, 35-50, Tenor), A very unscrupulous but attractive and (sometimes) charming middle-aged man who owns the Barracuda, NYC’s first floating Casino. A schemer, a dreamer, egomaniac manipulator. Vocal range top: Ab4
Jackie Noelle (Female, 32-42, Mezzo-Soprano/Alto), An aging but still sexy showgirl and now lounge singer. Dumb acting but honest. Goldie Hawn-esque. Vocal range top: D5
Ben / Lisa (Plays both, 10-13, Treble-Boy, Soprano), Played by a young boy or girl. Smart boy and girl twins played by the same actor. Honest and direct. Jackie’s son and daughter. Amazing pop voice. Belt to a high D. With vibrato! A young Michae Jackson/Andrea McArdle. Vocal range top: D5
Sister Mary Downy (Female, 30-50, Soprano), Awkward, judgmental nun with a gambling addiction. She is a nun with hidden urges
and releases them during song and MUST be good with nefarious, yet carnal behaviors. Great high pop belt. Vocal range top: B5
Shirley (Female, 50-65, Alto), A lovable and jolly Jewish woman who is currently dying due to an odd illness. Maury’s wife. MUST be able to Tap Dance. She also deals with sexual movements and spouts curse words. Great comedic actress. Vocal range top:
B4
Maury (Male, 50-65, Tenor/Baritone), Lovable and jolly. Shirley’s dedicated Jewish husband. Vocal range top: G4
Levora Verona (Female, 30-50, Mezzo-Soprano), A flamboyant and glamorous faded disco diva. Pushy and sassy but in love with her sweet dog. Great pop belt. Vocal range top: E5
Ensemble Men and Women (Male, 30-60), Able to play various glamorous party guests/character roles. Great comedic chops, good dance ability and great voices needed.
Produced with Special Arrangements with Music Theatre International New York, New York