Seth Rudetsky aims to hit Broadway like a hurricane with his star-studded parody.
By Brandon Voss
Musical theater is not Seth Rudetsky’s sole passion. “Growing up, I was obsessed with disasters,” says the Playbill columnist and SiriusXM On Broadway radio host. “I had books on earthquakes, and I knew all these facts about the world’s worst tornados. I didn’t like the death aspect, but I always wanted to be in a big disaster. And now I get to be in one eight times a week!”
Set aboard a floating casino-discothèque, Disaster!, which begins February 9 at the Nederlander Theatre, parodies 1970s disaster flicks like Earthquake and The Poseidon Adventure using a swarm of killer ’70s pop hits. Rudetsky co-wrote the musical with fellow out actor Jack Plotnick, who also directs. “After an argument we always end up with something amazing that we both love,” he says.
Rudetsky anchors Disaster! as a professor who, as luck would have it, is a noted disaster expert. “I wrote the role for myself because it’s me — I am a disaster expert,” he says. “But I really love the character because he’s so emotionally shut-down. I’ve gone on a lot of auditions, and it’s always for the flamboyant friend. It’s like, gay people can actually act and play other things! I just can’t believe I’m playing the role opposite such amazing people.”
He shares the sinking stage with Broadway vets like Roger Bart, Kerry Butler, Adam Pascal, and Faith Prince, who all happen to be Rudetsky’s friends. “It’s like being in musical theater summer camp,” he says. “Some jobs you do for money, some you do for funzies, and this one’s a lot of funzies. But it’s still nice to get a check.”
Next, February 2016.