DISASTER Previews- Page 8

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 8:26pm

SPOILER ----

 

End song is very forgettable --- not sure, but might have been "Daybreak" --- then all of the floatation devices drop down and the cast is supposed to be rescued by a chopper --- ah yes--- then it ends with "hooked on a feeling" ---  

Wife at show tonight with my daughter --- said looks like nice crowd, and for you Disney Channel people--- there was a ""Farkle" sighting at the show 

[@z5]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 9:12pm

From seeing a lot of these posts, I'm happy I have tickets after opening, so hopefully it'll be at its best then.

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 9:20pm

The Times feature on Seth Rudetsky states that their budget was in the mid seven figures - so I'd say 5-6 million and that their running costs are relatively low, so I hope that they continue to make tweaks and get some good reviews!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 11:30pm

How?! Can someone break down how this show could possibly cost so much? It has to do with licensing? 

[BOM]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 11:42pm

7 figures. Probably the low millions. There is no way this show cost 5-7 million to produce. Especially with the lack of set and no big names.

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 11:53pm

That's what I'm saying. And we have Motown coming in this summer, so I'm assuming they got a decent deal on the rent. Where'd the money go? 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 12:03am

No big names? On what planet? 

[BOM]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 12:03am

Earth?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 12:04am

They're certainly not working for cheap.

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 12:25am

Well their lead producer said mid 7 figures! I took that to mean 5 million, though I could be wrong. They don't have a tiny cast - and maybe they had to entice their "names" with a larger paycheck? Are they spending a lot on advertising?

[BOM]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 12:40am

I honestly have no idea what anyone in this show is getting paid. 5-7 million just seems like a lot of money for such a small show. 

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 7:19am

Math may not be my strongest point, but low seven figures would be 1-3 million. Mid seven figures would be 4-6 million, and high seven figures would be 7-9 million.

 

So 1-3 million, in this case.

[Sauja]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 10:54am

But Best12, they said mid, so that would be the 4-6 range. Which...between licensing and cast doesn't seem crazy to me. No these aren't big Hollywood names, but a lot of these actors likely aren't working for scale.

 

As for the show, I had heard the terrible word of mouth, but...I genuinely enjoyed myself quite a lot. It's intentionally corny and silly, and the cast seems to be having a ton of fun up there. 

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 5:16pm

Just got out of this an hour ago. I'm actually not sure what to think. It was fun, but it wasn't Xanadu movie bad enough for me and that was slightly disappointing.  But, I definitely agree that Jennifer Simard was the standout. I did like Faith Prince a bit too. And for the men, Roger Bart and Adam Pascal stood out as well. I think the issue for the rest is the material. Like I kind of forgot about Kevin Chamberlain at times. I think the bits with the kids were a little much at times.

 

I also agree that it would work better with no intermission.  It seemed odd where it picked up for act 2. Very unnecessary transition. And I thought some of the music was fine. Like I disagree with those who say they needed the entire song. However,  there were times where that could have been beneficial. So, I would give it 2 1/2 stars out of 5 If I could rate it that way. 

 

Oh, and the rear mezzanine was very empty.  It looked like the front was pretty full.

 

 

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 6:17pm

Has anyone talked to the off broadway cast of Disaster to get there thoughts?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/20/16 at 9:55pm

I had a friend in the off-broadway cast and he seems to support the Broadway company. And he lists it as his "job" on Facebook, though he's not listed in the playbill.. 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 2/21/16 at 7:38pm

i really want to see this - also, i hope this won't effect seth's awesome summer series in Provincetown.   just read that the show needs to close in wary July to make room for Motown

[Jarethan]

Posted: 2/21/16 at 11:25pm

neonlightsxo said: "No big names? On what planet? 

 

I don't know whether you are kidding or not.  Come on...get real.  There is not a single person in that cast who sells tickets.  If everyone's biggest fans show up the same night, they May sell out that performance.

 

[@z5]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:39am

Is rudetsky actually in the show too?

Also, what is the show actually about?

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 7:44am

Yes, Seth is in the show.  It's a spoof on 1970's disaster films. 

 

Having had time to think about it,  I realize why this wasn't as entertainingly bad as I hoped. It has to do with the effects and set design.  Like many times I felt we were hearing more about what was going on versus seeing it. It could be really insane if it was easier to see some of this. Actually,  90% of the time you couldn't even really tell exactly what the setting was. I am not against minimalism for theater at all. But, it just works better for some things. I really think more could have made me appreciate this a little more.  I hope this makes sense. 

[Patash]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 8:14am

Regarding the costs and someone asking about advertising.  It seems to me that here (in NJ) there is more TV advertising for this show than for any other I can think of in recent years.  It's endless!  And for a couple months, there's that full page ad in Playbill that you can't miss.  I've even seen giant billboards around. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 9:40am

Jarethan said: "neonlightsxo said: "No big names? On what planet? 

I don't know whether you are kidding or not.  Come on...get real.  There is not a single person in that cast who sells tickets.  If everyone's biggest fans show up the same night, they May sell out that performance."

 

You clearly misinterpreted my comment. I don't need to "get real." I am well aware that none of the people in this show will sell tickets, let alone sell out a show. I never said they would.

I simply said they are big names- ie they are well known theater actors and will not work for cheap. That is true.

The only people who need to get real are the producers who are paying for this stupid endeavor.

 

[little_sally]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 10:17am

I was at yesterday's matinee and am sorry to say I found it just awful. I wasn't expecting high art but this isn't even fun bad. The cast gives it their all, and the singing (when they're allowed to sing) is fantastic but it's cheesy and the conceit gets very stale very fast. The second act, which has barely any songs, feels endless, and the Morse code tap number was just the icing on the cake. It's like a real life Springtime for Hitler. Poor Faith Prince; I've never been more embarrassed for someone on stage. You can see the jokes coming a mile away, and you know exactly what song is coming before it starts. I don't know what's harder to believe: that this is actually on Broadway, or that it has a very talented cast with a very high pedigree.

 

I will say that the orchestra was full (don't know about the mezz) and from what I overheard as people exited the theater, the response was very positive. It also ran about 2:15 yesterday (when it should really be 90 minutes.)

[YourFabulousFace]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 12:06pm

I found the show for the most part to a fun and silly diversion with a very hardworking cast. The experienced Broadway troopers (Adam Pascal, Roger Bart, Rachel York, Kevin Chamberlin) are all superb. There's currently nothing on Broadway like this show, and for people nostalgic for and fond of the 1970s, this show can be part of a great night out.

There are two BIG problems, however, and if the producers had any sense, they'd shut the show down for a week or two and and fix them immediately: 1) the set. It's not transporting at all. It already looks worn-down and rickety. And what about those giant chrome columns (that totally block sight lines and make the stage too bright)! What were they thinking?! 2) Seth Rudetsky. He's an entertaining media personality, but he is neither an actor nor a singer. The energy he emits is joyless and spiteful, as if he knows everyone else on stage has more talent that he does, and he's angry about it. He should get some respect for the company and himself, get over his childish fantasies, and get off that ugly stage. Also, the joke (he probably wrote) that's all a big setup for him to sing "wo wo wo" is shamefully racist and unfunny. Bra-NO, Mr Rudetsky! Woe indeed.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/22/16 at 1:11pm

little_sally said: "It's like a real life Springtime for Hitler."

 

Brilliant.