A play guaranteed to be a ‘Disaster!’ in Ilwaco
Published 9:00 am Sunday, March 30, 2025
A bouncer, Mary Ann Emerson, left, stands ready to intervene while her boss, played by Dan Russell, rebuffs the warnings of an earthquake scientist (Ken Tobias, center) in a scene from the Peninsula Players’ production of “Disaster!”
Wendy Emo, left, as a lounge singer, invites a casino customer, played by Ken Tobias, to sing along in a scene from “Disaster!” a musical comedy that spoofs disaster movies from the 1970s.
Every disaster movie seemed to have a nun in the cast. The Peninsula Players’ latest production includes Carea Kuhn as a singing sister who boards a floating casino. Comedy ensues when she reveals her gambling problem.
Members of Peninsula Players don’t want their latest stage production to reflect its title.
It’s called “Disaster!”
The show is a musical spoof on action movies from the 1970s like “Airport,” “The Poseidon Adventure” and “The Towering Inferno.”
Director Rita Smith said her cast has been terrific amid backstage adversity — just like their characters, who must save each other when an earthquake tips their floating casino upside-down.
“The cast is phenomenal in its ambition, even with all the snags which have been through no fault of anybody,” she said.
Changes include actors and a crucial offstage helper having to drop out because of illnesses, causing multiple casting reshuffles.
“How resilient the cast has been — having to replace people. It’s just phenomenal. It is community theater at its best, and we have several people who have never been on stage before.”
The comedy is called a “jukebox musical,” with 36 pieces or fragments of songs familiar to those who enjoy pop music of the 1970s.
The action takes place on a casino in New York Harbor in 1979.
Land-based casinos were restricted during that era, but some states allowed them to operate if they were floating.
All appears well until an earthquake hits.
Dan Russell plays an obnoxious casino owner who has cut corners on building his business and Ken Tobias is a scientist eager to sound the alarm about ’quake dangers. Bob Goldberg and Kurt Owens play caterers, who happen to be single guys eager to connect with dates. One’s former love is played by Karen Curtis, a feminist reporter, eager for a scoop about the casino.
Wendy Emo portrays a headline singer who is past her prime and Tucker Darr plays the dual roles of her twin son and daughter. Kevin Perry plays a faded disco star and Carea Kuhn
(who coincidentally appeared in the troupe’s “Nunsense” musical last spring) is a nun with a gambling problem.
Annika Kay, who choreographed the show with Smith, portrays a woman suffering from an unusual ailment, and Becky Bourque portrays her husband, who is unaware of her diagnosis.
Other roles are played by Smith, Robert Scherrer, Daniel Bradley, Nancy McAllister, who has helped with costumes, Deborah Perry, who does the makeup, and Amber Brown, who is assistant stage manager.
The musical director is Pamela Klifar, who will play with lead keyboardist Paul Brady. The music will be familiar to anyone familiar with pop culture of the 1970s. Songs include, “Hooked on a Feeling,” “I Am Woman” and “Hot Stuff.”
“I hope that audiences have a great time and go out singing these songs and can’t get them out of their heads!” Smith said.
‘Disaster!’
A jukebox musical by Peninsula Players.
River City Playhouse, 127 Lake St., Ilwaco.
7 p.m. March 28 to 29; April 4 to 5 and April 11 to 12; 2 p.m. March 30, April 6 and April 13.
Tickets $25, from Okie’s Thriftway in Ocean Park, BOLD Coffee, Art and Framing in Long Beach and Ilwaco Cider Co., or at the door.
