‘Disaster!’ Is Conard’s Spring Musical, and the 70s-Themed Comedy Is Anything But
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Conard High School Performing Arts presents "Disaster!" March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford’s Conard High School will perform ‘Disaster!’ for two weekends, with shows on March 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15.
Emma Billings as Levora Verona. Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
Those who are of the generation that grew up listening to the music of the 1970s and seeing the first-runs of what are now iconic disaster movies like Earthquake, Airport, Jaws, Towering Inferno, and the Poseidon Adventure – as well as those who consider the music and films retro or even historical – will definitely be smiling after watching the Conard High School Performing Arts program’s production of “Disaster!”
“Disaster!” is an original concept, a parody that’s a mash-up of elements of the cult disaster movies of the ’70s, set on the grand opening night of the Barracuda – a floating casino and discothèque in New York Harbor. There are earthquakes, a tidal wave, sharks, rats, and an eclectic ensemble cast of characters that are thrown together and attempt to survive while also dealing with their own issues – romantic problems and other sources of angst.
Hilarity ensues.
Alisdair McLaren (Ted Scheider, disaster expert) with singer Jackie Noelle (Bridget Dawson) and her twin son Ben (Avery Brooks). Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Many of the characters are over-the-top stereotypes – a disaster expert whose wife died in a volcano explosion, a nun with a gambling problem, a washed-up disco queen toting her beloved dog, a reporter looking for a big scoop, a sexy lounge singer, and a greedy and sleazy business owner who just may have taken some construction short-cuts to get the casino open – but that’s the point, and what makes it funny.
Chef (Julia Valdez) and Barracuda owner Tony Delvecchio (Graeham Rogers). Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The juke-box musical comedy opens with “Hot Stuff” and weaves together recognizable disco and folk music hits that help tell the story and will have most everyone dancing in their seats – or, if you grew up listening to the tunes and know all the words – trying hard not to sing along out loud. “Knock on Wood,” “I Will Survive,” “I Am Woman,” and “Hooked on a Feeling” (ooga-chaka, ooga-chaka …) are among the highlights of the song list.
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Conard students, whose parents are probably even too young to have seen the original movie releases or listened to the songs when they topped the charts, dance, sing, and act as if they were authentic to the era.
Sister Mary Downey (Solana Colón) struggles with her gambling addiction. Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“This is a fun show,” said Director and Co-Producer Hunter Parker, now in her fourth year as a theater teacher and director at Conard. “Sometimes you have to be silly and create a fun show … it’s pure entertainment and joy,” she said, something particularly needed with the heaviness of current events these days.
Last year Conard’s musical was “Les Misérables,” and the previous year they performed “Frozen.” This show is deliberately a complete departure, Parker said, as part of her goal of exposing students to a variety of styles of musicals.
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“I’m a disaster expert who has come to the opening night of the Barracuda casino boat,” said Alisdair McLaren, who plays Ted Scheider, the disaster expert. “It’s a really fun role,” said the sophomore, who was in Les Mis last year and also appeared in Conard’s spring play.
While “Disaster!” is a comedy, McLaren said his role is actually intense, since he’s the one warning people about the disasters that are about to befall them. “They’re laughing at me, not with me,” he added.
Jessie LaBranch – dressed in a gold sequined mini dress and white go-go boots, is one of the dance captains and part of the ensemble. “It’s very high energy dancing,” she said, and she loved learning the upbeat disco numbers.
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Julia Valdez plays Chef. “Just Chef,” she said, there’s no last name. But she does have a French accent and a small curly mustache, and gets to boss around the waiters and waitresses. She also doubles as part of the ensemble, and plays a blinded woman in the second act (post-disaster).
“It’s a fun role,” said Valdez, a senior who has been in multiple previous Conard musicals and plays.
Avery Brooks (center) as Lisa Noelle, holding her “twin” brother, Ben. Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Freshman Avery Brooks plays boy-girl twins Ben and Lisa Noelle. “My mom (Jackie Noelle, played by junior Bridget Dawson) is a lounge singer at the casino. I’m just running around as the only kid there … well, there’s two of me,” she said. Brooks actually plays both 11-year-old characters, switching between a regular baseball cap over her own short hair and a cap with attached braids.
“I get to dive into two very different characters to see how they interact,” she said – and that includes times when she makes rapid transitions between the two children with a dummy serving as the other twin. One of her favorite moments is when Lisa sings a duet with reporter Marianne Wilson (junior Delia Canarie) that’s a lesson in feminism and alternates verses of “I Am Woman” and “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be.”
Shirley (Taylor Lestini) and Maury (Joshua Peak). Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
In addition to the student cast members, a rotating group of Conard administrators and staff make cameo appearances during each performance.
Evening performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, and Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15. A matinee will take place on Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available online.
Below is a PDF listing the entire cast, crew, and orchestra – all students – and the production team.
“Disaster! is a hilarious homage to the era of bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and the hustle that can be enjoyed by people of all eras, but please be advised that there are scenes with some mature language and adult themes,” the website states.
Charles Avery as Chad. Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Myles Low as Scott. Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard High School Performing Arts presents “Disaster!” March 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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Great article about Conard’s spring musical production. I always enjoy your reviews of their shows, which include a wide display of photos and detailed descriptions of the play. I attended the “Senior” performance Thursday and as always, really enjoyed the show. I’m amazed at the depth of good singers. dancers, musicians and actors that are found at Conard. Looking forward to returning for a couple more performances this weekend. Congratulations to the hard-working students and staff at Conard for another great show.