Maggie McDowell News

Last week was a pretty great one on the Barricuda. We survived another snow storm (Why, oh why, oh why-o? Why did I ever leave Southern California...) and luckily New York did not stand us up. We had a great audience who trekked out into the grossness to laugh at us. Even pianist and late night sidekick extraordinaire, Paul Shaffer, endured the Polar Vortex. Fun Fact! He played on the original track for Barry Manilow's 'Daybreak' which happens to be our closing number. Full circle.

So I'm realizing that I haven't really told you guys what I do in Disaster! My bad, BroadwayWorld. I'm one of three ensemble members, and I also understudy three roles:

This post is 100% a love letter to Mary Testa. You're welcome, Broadway World! Know why? Cause Mary Testa is the best-a (yup, that happened) and here are the reasons why:

DISASTER!, the 1970s disaster movie musical now playing Off-Broadway at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street), has just announced that it will welcome new cast members in the coming weeks.

Happy 2014, everyone! I'm Sherz Aletaha (first name sounds like more than one Cher, last name...just sound that one out...) and I'm currently in the Off-Broadway Musical 'Disaster!' A little bit about our show: it's a parody of 1970's disaster movies with lots of amazing songs from that decade, it takes place on a floating casino named The Barracuda, and it's performed by the most lovable group of crazies in New York City. If you've seen the show, you know it's a great time and super funny (My besties Tina Fey and Amy Poehler picked us as their 'Must See' theater pick for Entertainment Weekly and then we braided each other's hair and talked about boys. **One part of that sentence is true**) but I'm so excited to share what our awesome cast and crew are up to behind the scenes.

Presented by Mary J. Davis, DISASTER! is the hilarious, acclaimed 1970s disaster movie musical now playing Off-Broadway at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street). DISASTER! is written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, directed by Mr. Plotnick, and has choreography by Denis Jones. A send-up of the 1970s disaster movie genre, DISASTER! features some of the best songs of the 1970s, including 'Hot Stuff,' 'Don't Bring Me Down,' 'I Am Woman,' 'Alone Again Naturally,' 'Signed Sealed Delivered,' 'Knock On Wood,' 'Daybreak' 'Sky High,' and more.

Mary Birdsong (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, "Reno 911") will join the cast of DISASTER!, the hilarious, acclaimed 1970s disaster movie musical now playing Off-Broadway at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street) on Monday, December 9th. Ms. Birdsong will take over the role of lounge singer "Jackie," played by Michele Ragusa, whose final performance will be on Friday, December 6th.

DISASTER! -- the hilarious, acclaimed 1970s disaster movie musical now playing Off-Broadway at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street) - is getting into the holiday spirit by adding a performance to this week's schedule - and by offering a discount for those who come with canned goods (to be donated to charity). Those who come to the St. Luke's Theatre today, November 29th with 2 canned goods will be eligible to purchase $25 tickets to that afternoon's special matinee performance at 1:30 PM. All collected canned goods will be donated to charity. The St. Luke's Box Office will open at on Friday, 12/29 at Noon ($25 tickets are available IN-PERSON ONLY on a first-come, first-served basis while supply lasts).

DISASTER! -- the hilarious, acclaimed 1970s disaster movie musical now playing Off-Broadway at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street) - is getting into the holiday spirit by adding a performance to this week's schedule - and by offering a discount for those who come with canned goods (to be donated to charity). Those who come to the St. Luke's Theatre on Friday, November 29th with 2 canned goods will be eligible to purchase $25 tickets to that afternoon's special matinee performance at 1:30 PM. All collected canned goods will be donated to charity. The St. Luke's Box Office will open at on Friday, 12/29 at Noon ($25 tickets are available IN-PERSON ONLY on a first-come, first-served basis while supply lasts).

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical Disaster! written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, is directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Playing at St. Luke's Theatre, Disaster! just opened last night, November 4. Tickets are: $49.50-$79.50 and can be purchased at www.DisasterMusical.com. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the after party festivities below!

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's DISASTER! a 70s Disaster Movie Musical is a laugh-out-loud musical spoof of 70s disaster flicks, featuring repurposed hits from the decade.

Miles Aubrey (Jersey Boys, Ring of Fire), Jessica Grove (A Little Night Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie) and Lora Lee Gayer (Follies) will perform The Music of Kevin Fogarty and Chris Rayis in a one-night-only concert.

DISASTER!, a 1970's disaster movie musical written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick began previews Off-Broadway on Monday, October 14th at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th Street). Directed by Mr. Plotnick, with choreography by Denis Jones, DISASTER! is a hilarious send up of the disaster movie genre featuring some favorite songs from the '70s. Opening night is Monday November 4th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical Disaster! written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, will be directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Playing at St. Luke's Theatre, Disaster! will begin performances tonight, October 14, opening Monday, November 4. Tickets are: $49.50-$79.50 (previews - $39.50-$69.50) and can be purchased atwww.DisasterMusical.com. The cast met the press last week and you can check out complete photo coverage below!

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical DISASTER! written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, will be directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Playing at St. Luke's Theatre, DISASTER! will begin performances on October 14, opening Monday, November 4. Tickets are: $49.50-$79.50 (previews - $39.50-$69.50) and can be purchased at www.DisasterMusical.com. The cast met the press earlier today and you can check out a photo preview below!

Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick's musical DISASTER! presented by Mary J. Davis, proudly announces its full cast. Written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick, DISASTER! will be directed by Jack Plotnick, choreographed by Denis Jones and music direction by Larry Pressgrove. Playing at St. Luke's Theatre, DISASTER! will begin performances on October 14, opening Monday, November 4. Tickets are: $49.50-$79.50 (previews - $39.50-$69.50) and can be purchased at www.DisasterMusical.com

From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies comes Cape May Stage's fall production, "Time Stands Still", described as 'a moving and often hilarious story of relationships, mid-life crises, and the ties of friendship.' Directed by Artistic Director Roy Steinberg, this Tony-nominated play previews tonight, September 12 and officially opens Thursday, September 13, running Wednesdays through Saturdays 8 p.m. with matinees on Sundays at 3 p.m. through October 13 at Cape May Stage's Robert Shackleton Playhouse.

From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies comes Cape May Stage's fall production, "Time Stands Still", described as 'a moving and often hilarious story of relationships, mid-life crises, and the ties of friendship.' Directed by Artistic Director Roy Steinberg, this Tony-nominated play previews on Wednesday, September 12 and officially opens Thursday, September 13, running Wednesdays through Saturdays 8 p.m. with matinees on Sundays at 3 p.m. through October 13 at Cape May Stage's Robert Shackleton Playhouse.

'9 to 5: the Musical' brims with infectious energy from the first notes of the title song; the production's engaging cast of characters and its madcap tale of corporate retribution keep that momentum going from start to finish.

The summer season continues at Theatre By The Sea with the Rhode Island premiere of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical, opening tonight, July 18.