Cast Readies to Relive Disco Days

Friday night, at a time many of their friends were likely gathering around video games or pizzas, a group of 26 kids aged 8 to 18, were busy preparing to "Burn the mother down" at the Brook Theater, in Bound Brook, May 6-7.

That's when the students will be on stage for the Kelsey Performing Arts Center's production of the London stage version of "Disco Inferno, the Musical."

"They took all these disco songs, and retold the story of 'Faust,'" director Leslie Potashner said of production's synopsis.

The center has also done stagings of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and Disney's "Aladin" in the two years since it opened in Warren.

As the cast worked through the dance routines required Friday, they also practiced severla of the songs—which the students will sing on stage. Danny Sims, who has the lead role as Jack, said that while he's been in a number of productions, he's enjoying "Disco Inferno" because of the music.

"It's probably the most fun because I have to do a British acent," he said, adding, "I also like the fact that most of the songs are pop songs—I can kind of be a pop singer."

His favorites (for those who remember their disco-era hits) are Elton John's "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" and "I Love the Nightlife."

KPAC owner Kelsey Kaplan said the students began rehearsals in January, and have generally held 4-hour rehearsals on Satudays, but with the show opening soon, the pace has stepped up.

"We'll take everything to the theater Monday, and the next day, they'll rehearse on the stage (at the Bound Brook Theater)," she said.

Meanwhile, the students hustled and boogied down the list of songs in the production at the KPAC studio at 51 Mt. bethel Road. 

The performances will be 8 p.m. May 6, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 7. Tickets for all shows are $18 in advance, $22 at the door, and can be purchased at KPAC.  The Brook Theater is at 10 Hamilton St., Bound Brook, NJ