West End star Simon Lipkin (Nathan Detroit alongside Rebel Wilson in Guys & Dolls, the title role in The Lorax, Barlow the Dog in I Can't Sing, Lonny in Rock Of Ages, Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q) has joined the cast of DISASTER! as rehearsals get underway in London.
Simon Will play Tony Delvecchio, the deceitful owner of a floating casino and discotheque heading for disaster, and completes the UK star line-up alongside original Broadway cast members, Tony Award-nominated
Jennifer Simard and show creator
Seth Rudetsky.
Seth said: "We love our newest cast member,
Simon Lipkin. How dare he be so young and so talented! Director
Jack Plotnick and I are so thrilled with all our Disaster! actors. When we came to Broadway, there was very nice buzz about the show having an all-star cast. We can't believe we're now lucky enough to get an all-star British cast for the West End version! And we are so blown away by so many things: the warmth of everyone involved, the incredible creativity/hilarity they're showing in rehearsal, the crazy amazing singing voices, and the
unbelievable work ethic. British people seem to think it's "rude" to take a break. Jack actually questioned if water goes through British people like it does Americans because so far, no one's needed to pee!!"
DISASTER!, the 2016 Broadway musical comedy spoof of star-studded 1970s jeopardy movies like The Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake and Airport, will premiere at Charing Cross Theatre for two glittering gala concert charity performances to raise funds for The Make a
Difference Trust on Sunday 20 November.
It's 1979 and New York's hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. But 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. As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love they've lost...or at least escape the killer rats! Set in the wildest decade ever, DISASTER! is packed with unforgettable 70s dance oor hits including "I Will Survive", "Knock On Wood," "Hooked On A Feeling," "Sky High," "I Am Woman" and "Hot Stuff".
Jennifer Simard is recreating her Tony-nominated role as gambling-addicted nun, Sister Mary Downy.
Seth Rudetsky is once again playing Ted Scheider, the professor and "disaster expert" who tries to warn the others of the impending doom. The rest of the cast are:
Oliver Tompsett (Chad, a ladies man still carrying a torch for his ex-fiance). Oliver has just played Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls at the
Phoenix Theatre. His other West End starring roles include Galileo in We Will Rock You, Fiyero in Wicked and Drew Boley in Rock of Ages.
Sally Ann Triplett (Shirley, a big-heart
Ed Loudmouth...with a secret) last starred on Broadway in Sting's The Last Ship. Her West End starring roles include Donna in Mamma Mia, Lauren in Viva Forever, Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls, Berta in Acorn Antiques, Roxy Hart in Chicago, Reno Sweeney in Anythying Goes.
Jodie Jacobs (Jackie, a sexy lounge singer desperate to nd a father for her twins) played Regina in Rock of Ages (2011 BroadwayWorld.com Award). She is currently starring in "27", directed by
Arlene Phillips. Her recent roles include Nancy in Oliver! at Grange Park Opera, Miss Gardner in Carrie and Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde.
Alice Fearn (Marianne, a reporter who's sworn off men) joined the 10th anniversary cast of Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre last month as the standby Elphaba. She was Rapunzel in Into the Woods at Regent's Park Theatre. Her other major musicals include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Shrek the Musical, Annie Get Your Gun, Les Miserables and The Woman in White.
Sandra Marvin (Levora, a faded disco diva hoping to win big in the casino) is currently playing Rose in the pre-West End tour of Stepping Out. She was Queenie in
Daniel Evans' Showboat. Her other major shows include City of Angels (Donmar), Miss Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray and Mama Morton in Chicago. Bradley Riches (Ben & Lisa, Jackie's constantly ghting twins) is a pupil of the British Theatre Academy. He recently co-starred in Godspell with
Ramin Karimloo and
Kerry Ellis. His other roles include Rooster in AnnieJr at the Arts Theatre, The Artful Dodger in Oliver! at Minack Theatre, and Elegies at Charing Cross Theatre. The rest of the cast are:
Mark Anderson (as Scott), Paul Grunbert (Maury),
Ruthie Stephens (wealthy woman), Chris Warner (Jake),
Rachel Grundy, Hayley Jones,
Sam Lathwood, Will Luckett, Anthony Starr, Katie Warsop (all ensemble).
Written by
Seth Rudetsky
&
Jack Plotnick
Directed by
Jack Plotnick
Choreography
Ashley Nottingham
Music Director
James Taylor
Visual Designer Bruno Collins
Sunday 20 November
at 4.00pm and 7.30pm
Charing Cross Theatre
The Arches
Villiers Street
London WC2N 6NL
www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
Tickets available now from
www.madtrust.org.uk
A TheatreMAD Production in aid of the Make A Difference Trust
Tickets: Slips £20, Balcony £25,
Back Stalls £30 - £35
Front Stalls £45 - £50
