'Disaster' is cataclysmic fun, perfect to put off the January blues

From left, actors Mary Jardine, Brianna Javis, Michelle Faria, Amanda Dane, Chris Bradley, Anthony Ejarque, John Furey and Erin McMillen (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - Disaster is a rare gem of a musical that brings the full plate of emotions to the table, including belly laughs, tender emotions, even tears, all the while paying homage to the vaunted disco era that was the 70s and the "disaster" flicks that dotted the decade.
Be prepared for plenty of raucous and raunchy physical humor, pithy one-liners and poignant loves songs aboard a floating casino in New York harbor that is the scene of an earthquake, tidal wave and raging inferno, all in about two hours.
Along the way you'll meet the chief villain in the musical, horndog casino owner Tony (Anthony Ejarque), who endangers his customers when he cut corners on safety equipment in the event of an emergency; a pious, self-righteous nun (Mary Jardine) with a raging gambling addiction and a big-league reporter (Erin McMillen) who jilted her fiancee (John Furey) on their wedding day to pursue her journalistic career.
More than 30 top hits from the '70s are featured in the play, including "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago, "Never Can Say Goodbye" by the Jackson 5 and "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
One duet from the play to look for is when the reporter meets up with her former fiancee, who is working as a waiter at the casino. When she feels her love rekindling she reflects on her decision to leave him high and dry while speaking with Lisa, the daughter of a lounge singer who hopes to marry Tony, the casino owner. After the female reporter belts out a powerful "I am Woman" by Helen Reddy, Lisa reflects then sings, "That's the Way I've Always Heard it should be" by Carly Simon. Pithy, indeed!
Another showstopper comes in the second act when the nun and a fortune-hunting lounge singer, played by Brianna Javis, sing "Come to Me" by France Joli.
To be sure, if you're a child of or aficionado of that most bodacious decade, you're delight in this fun musical will be even sweeter, but here's the latest line by theater bookies.
The set may be a floating casino, but this musical is rock solid ... and a winning bet for sure.
"Disaster" runs through Jan. 29 including Saturday matinees.
To purchase tickets click here.