New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

West Hudson Arts & Theater Co presents "Disaster! The Musical"

originally published: 04/19/2024

Roman Koster, Frankie Perez, Danubia Vilar, Samantha Egge, Holly Stefanik, Marua Ruppert, John Jesse Jeffords, and Matt Masiello. Photo by Amanda Castro-Conroy

(HARRISON, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Co (WHATCo) brings its Main Stage season to a close with a hilarious production of Disaster! The Musical for two weekends starting April 26th at The Theater at WHATCo. Disaster! comes to West Hudson straight from Broadway and features some of the most unforgettable songs of the '70s like “Knock on Wood," "Hooked on a Feeling," and "Hot Stuff."

The musical comedy is set in 1979 and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. 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 in this homage to the era of bell-bottoms, platform shoes and the hustle.

Directed by Jessa Blackthorne, with Musical Direction by Scott Burzynski and Choreography by Bong Dizon. Cast features Frankie Perez/Chad; Roman Koster/Scott; Dylan Myers/Ted; Maria Ruppert/Marianne; John Jesse Jeffords/Tony; Samantha Egge/Jackie; Maisie Kelly/Ben-Lisa; Jessica Nelson/Sister Mary Downy; Melissa Broder/Shirley; Robert Strauch/ Maury; Lily Mayo/ Levora Verona; Matthew Masiello/Jake; Ashley “Ash” Nichols/Ensemble/US Tony; Karina Munoz/ Ensemble/US Shirley; Maggie Madere/Ensemble/US Sister Mary Downy; Amanda Regan/Ensemble; Paula Barratta/Ensemble; Danubia Vilar/Ensemble; Judy Espaillat/ Ensemble/US Levora Verona; Holly Stefanik/Ensemble/US Marianne; Gunnar Holmberg/ Ensemble/US Ted; Richard Dwyer/Ensemble/US Wealthy Man; Leo Vasile/Ensemble.

Jessica Nelson (Sister Mary Downy), Lily Mayo (Levora Verona). Photo by Amanda Castro-Conroy




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



Performances are April 26, 27 and May 2, 3, 4 at 7:30pm; April 28 at 2:00pm and April 27 at 1:00pm (this performance will feature understudies). Tickets are $20 Adults or $15 Seniors and Students and can be purchased at www.whatconj.org. The Theater at WHATCo is located at 15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South in Harrison, New Jersey. Free parking is available in the fenced lot at the corner of Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South and Jersey Street.

The WHATCo Box Office at 15 Frank E. Rogers Blvd South will also be open for advance ticket sales; check WHATCo Instagram and Facebook pages for Box Office hours. Some tickets may also be available at the door the evenings of the performances.

Disaster! is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Dylan Myers (Ted), John Jesse Jeffords (Tony), Roman Koster (Scott), Frankie Perez (Chad). Photo by Amanda Castro-Conroy

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

The mission of WHATCo is to be a cultural resource that will enrich and invigorate the West Hudson community as a whole while embracing, educating and entertaining people of all ages, cultures and abilities. Through a range of quality theatrical productions, they seek to stimulate, celebrate and enhance the understanding of theater while fostering and inspiring growth and creativity in their members. They strive to be a resource for both the residents and businesses of the greater West Hudson area and to enrich the cultural depth, education and vitality of the community at large.

Danubia Vilar (Featured Dancer), Samantha Egge (Jackie Noelle), Holly Stefanik (Featured Dancer/Marianne US). Photo by Amanda Castro-Conroy




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Spotlight

Spotlight Players to Hold Auditions for "Freak Friday, the Musical"

​​​​​​​(MATAWAN, NJ) -- Calling all adults, teens, and an outgoing 9 to 11 year old boy who loves to act, sing and dance. Spotlight Players is thrilled to announce auditions for Freaky Friday: The Musical – the hilarious, heartfelt body-swap comedy from Disney with libretto by Bridget Carpenter, the co-executive producer and writer on the beloved TV hits, "Friday Night Lights" and "Parenthood", with music by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning team behind Next to Normal and If/Then.



Classic

Classic American Tales presents a lecture on American Theater: After the Civil War to 1930

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Classic American Tales' (CAT) artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, is presenting a free lecture as part of Cape May MAC's "Lunch and Learn" series on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from noon to 1:00pm at the Cape May Lutheran Church (509 Pittsburg Avenue) in Cape May.



Classic

Classic Radio Road Show to presents A Pair Of Old Time Radio Detective Stories

(SHREWSBURY, NJ) -- Classic Radio Road Show will present "The Adventures of Philip Marlowe - The Medium Was Rare" and "The Adventures of the Thin Man - The Case of the Goofy Groom", a pair of old time radio detective stories. A live show will take place on May 22, 2025 at the Eastern Branch of Monmouth County Library (1001 Route 35) in Shrewsbury. Showtime is 7:00pm.



East

East Lynne Theater Company to Officially Take Over Cape May's Historic Allen AME Church

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- After years of multi-million-dollar renovations, East Lynne Theater Company, Cape May’s award-winning Equity Professional Theater, will officially be handed over the keys to the former Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) by the city of Cape May in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The building will now publicly be called the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the Allen AME Church.



Middletown

Middletown Arts Center presents The MAC ONE-ACTS Play-Reading Festival on Thursday

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center is excited to present the sixth edition of The MAC ONE-ACTS Play-Reading Festival, featuring original, one-act works by New Jersey playwrights read theatrically by local actors. The festival will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 and is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated. Showtime is 7:00pm.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Meet

Meet the Artist: New Play Reading - "Etiquette" by David Lee White

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Summit Community Center
100 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

Primary

Primary Trust

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC ONE-ACTS 2025

Thursday, May 22, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

Primary

Primary Trust

Thursday, May 22, 2025 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre


 

Crossroads

Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Friday, May 23, 2025 @ 7:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: theatre