HOT NEWS FROM THE DANCE FLOOR: Meet the West End stars joining original Broadway cast members Jennifer Simard and show creator Seth Rudetsky in DISASTER! DISASTER! the Broadway musical comedy spoof of star-studded 1970s jeopardy movies like The Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake and Airport, will premiere in London for two glittering gala concert charity performances to raise funds for The Make a Difference Trust at Charing Cross Theatre on Sunday 20 November. “It’s 1979 and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. But 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 they’ve lost…or at least escape the killer rats! Set in the wildest decade ever, DISASTER! is packed with unforgettable 70s dance oor hits including “I Will Survive”, “Knock On Wood,” “Hooked On A Feeling,” “Sky High,” “I Am Woman” and “Hot Stuff”.
Jennifer Simard is recreating her Tony-nominated role as gambling-addicted nun, Sister Mary Downy.
Seth Rudetsky is once again playing Ted Scheider, the professor and “disaster expert” who tries to warn the others of the impending doom.
The British cast are: Oliver Tompsett (Chad, a ladies man still carrying a torch for his ex-fiance). Oliver has just played Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls at the Phoenix Theatre. His other West End starring roles include Galileo in We Will Rock You, Fiyero in Wicked and Drew Boley in Rock of Ages.
Sally Ann Triplett (Shirley, a big-hearted loudmouth…with a secret) last starred on Broadway in Sting’s The Last Ship. Her West End starring roles include Donna in Mamma Mia, Lauren in Viva Forever, Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls, Berta in Acorn Antiques, Roxy Hart in Chicago, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes.
Jodie Jacobs (Jackie, a sexy lounge singer desperate to and a father for her twins) played Regina in Rock of Ages (2011 BroadwayWorld.com Award). She is currently starring in “27”, directed by Arlene Phillips. Her recent roles include Nancy in Oliver! at Grange Park Opera, Miss Gardner in Carrie and Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde.
Alice Fearn (Marianne, a reporter who’s sworn off men) joined the 10th Anniversary cast of Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre last month as the standby Elphaba. She was Rapunzel in Into the Woods at Regent’s Park Theatre. Her other major musicals include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Shrek the Musical, Annie Get Your Gun, Les Misérables and The Woman in White.
Sandra Marvin (Levora, a faded disco diva hoping to win big in the casino) is currently playing Rose in the pre-West End tour of Stepping Out. She was Queenie in Daniel Evans’ Showboat. Her other major shows include City of Angels (Donmar), Miss Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray and Mama Morton in Chicago.
Bradley Riches (Ben & Lisa, Jackie’s constantly fighting twins) is a pupil of the British Theatre Academy. He recently co-starred in Godspell with Ramin Karimloo and Kerry Ellis. His other roles include Rooster in AnnieJr at the Arts Theatre, The Artful Dodger in Oliver! at Minack Theatre, and Elegies at Charing Cross Theatre. More major roles will be announced soon!
Seth Rudetsky said: “Director Jack Plotnick and I are so thrilled with this cast! I had Sally Ann on my radio show last night and simply loved her. So warm, such a great voice, such a big belter and a tapper, too! Is there such a thing as a quadruple threat? We are so lucky to have Oliver who blew us away when he watched him on YouTube. I now want to add more high notes to the score! Jodie came so highly recommended by my friend Shoshana Bean and after watching her sing “Take Me for What I Am “ with Caissie Levy, I knew she had the voice and the comedy skills for Disaster! The character of Levora is a diva who’s 98% a selfish nightmare. Yes, Sandra will be able to bring down the house on those disco songs, but, more importantly, she’s able to play a “rhymes-with-witch,” but, because she’s so likeable, still make the audience root for her. I worked with dresser-to-the-West-End-stars Murray Lane when I did my show with Patti LuPone in London a few years ago. I described the character of Marianne to him and he immediately recommended Alice Fearn. Boy, was he right! I called her, described the role and when I told her she had a drunk scene, she was in! And, finally, British Theatre Academy Director Matthew Chandler saw Disaster! on Broadway and told me he thought that if it ever came to London, he had the perfect kid. Bradley Riches Skyped with me over the weekend. OMG. Not only was he hilarious and used his own prop wig when he switched back and forth between Ben and Lisa, he blew me away with his voice. When he started singing his big act Two song Michael Jackson’s “Ben” I was happy/impressed/awestruck that I got tears in my eyes!”
“Deliriously giddy! Inspired lunacy. A triumph! It’s irresistible!” Critics Choice, The New York Times
