This "unauthorized musical parody" of the now 30-year-old disaster film "The Poseidon Adventure" comes to town after a successful run in Chicago with its good-natured tongue squarely in cheek.
Like any number of other campy send-ups we've seen in New York -- e.g. "The Postman Always Rings Twice," "Valley of the Dolls" -- this one features its share of cross-dressing parts.
Unlike the others, "Poseidon" aims to be a full-fledged musical, and is framed by a gathering of rabid fans who relate how the film changed their lives in stories that are, by turn, humorous, touching, mawkish, and offensive. Otherwise, the film's plot -- the liner turned upside down by a giant tidal wave and the passengers' efforts to escape by rising to the bottom of the boat -- is followed faithfully, with gags and various gay riffs at every turn.
Some of this is funny, including the actual disaster, where the large cast of 25 (directed by David Zak) skillfully mimes the ship's chaotic overturn, slipping, sliding, and rolling from one end of the stage to the other. The songs (music by David Cerda and Scott Lamberty, lyrics by Cerda, who also penned the book) are reasonably amusing and tuneful. Given the intentionally ragtag nature of the staging, the fairly high caliber of the musical elements (Lon Ellenberger, musical director) almost comes as a surprise. Molly Faithe's "Just Panties (What Else Do I Need?)" is one standout.
"Poseidon" does presume familiarity with its source. A bit more exposition for the uninitiated would be welcome. If it's to have an afterlife, it needs to substitute wit for some of the puerile humor and jettison the fan subplot.
As it stands now, though, there's plenty of simple-minded fun for anyone looking for a loony goof on a cult classic.