After last year’s extremely successful run of Shrek the Musical, I began thinking about the next W-K musical production. While I debated and agonized over many worthy and interesting options, I ultimately chose a very unknown musical to follow up a very popular show. While being unknown, I knew our audience will want to sing along with most of the songs. We had so much fun doing Back to the ’80s in 2016, so why not go back one more decade for this year’s show?
The story of this show is based on a popular German legend of Faust, a man who sells his soul to the Devil for success and worldly possessions. This jukebox musical takes some very popular and some deep tracks from the seventies and weaves together a story set in London. Music Theatre International does a good job of describing what this musical is about.
“The story of Faust is brought to life in an explosion of hit songs, high energy dance routines, and glitter-ball spinning action. London in the Summer of 1976 and it’s as hot outside as the fashion, hits and passion are on the dance floor--the hottest summer ever recorded. Disco Inferno tells the story of an ambitious and talented hopefully, Jack Green and his ‘burning’ desire to make it in the music business at any cost. Working late in the London nightclub, ‘Disco Inferno’, Jack meets Lady Marmalade-a femme fatale and right-hand lady to the Devil himself. Dreaming of becoming successful, Jack strikes a ‘Faustian’ pact with her, trading his soul to fulfill his wildest fantasies. Sound like an ideal bargain? Think again… Jack soon becomes an international success...a sensation-even traveling the Atlantic to make an appearance on Dick Clarke-but success proves hollow. He has the fame and fortune he’d always dreamed of but is losing something far more important- his devoted girlfriend, Jane… One disaster quickly follows another. If only he could turn back time... If only he could make one more trade, trading all he has now for something far more important… the love of his life” (Music Theater International).
This ‘devilish’ 70’s musical comedy, Disco Inferno was written and compiled by Justin Sepple and is performed with special permission from Music Theatre International. The show features classic 70’s hits such as “Celebration”, “Play that Funky Music”, “I Will Survive”, “Boogie Wonderland”, “Crocodile Rock”, “Ballroom Blitz”, and more. There are 27 songs from the ’70s featured in this production including a megamix at the end of the show.
I want to thank the cast for all their hard work and effort in making this production a priority while balancing their academics and other activities.
Every year we have a lot of people behind the scenes helping out to make the show a success. I want to thank all of the volunteers who gave up many hours to help during rehearsals: making costumes, helping with choreography, providing food, putting up posters, donating an hour or two to paint, helping with sound and lighting needs, donating items to our theatre program, or offering assistance supervising students throughout this process. We cannot put on a production without a village of willing people who love sharing their talents for the success of the show and the experience of the students. I want to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.
One of those amazing volunteers is Mary Brelsford, who is a legend at W-K. Not only has Mary been a mentor to our students and me over the years, but she is also such a strong supporter and volunteer in our program. She is one of the amazing educators who created this program during her tenure at W-K. We would not be where we are today without her hard work and dedication to the fine arts at W-K. In this show alone, she has given innumerable hours of recording music, rehearsing with students, advice, reminders, and being my ‘devil’s advocate!’ I am dedicating this show to her because even after retirement, she is a superstar!
I hope you enjoy this production. The cast and crew have put on their boogie shoes! Let’s groove tonight and Burn Baby Burn!
The production has some mature moments and is not intended for young children. Additionally, there is a scene in Act II show that uses a strobe light effect.
There will be a 15-minute intermission during Act I and Act II.
Please enjoy the cookies and punch provided by the W-K Drama Club.
