‘It’s A Disaster’ opens Friday in LaFayette

Back Alley Productions adapts film comedy to stage

Back Alley Productions has partnered with Los Angeles-based film producers to adapt their movie script of the dark comedy “It’s A Disaster” into a stage production. The play will open Friday, June 2, in the Mars Theatre in LaFayette, Ga., for seven performances through June 16.

“It’s A Disaster” details the superficial lives of four couples who meet together for an annual brunch that has become somewhat strained over t he years, explains director Kaylee Smith.

Glenn is Tracy’s new boyfriend. And it’s his first time meeting the entire gang. They both know it’s going to be a little awkward, but at least it’ s not the end of the world. Or is it?

Based on t he 2012 dark comedy film of the same name, what starts as a sudden airing of petty grievances between the couples soon takes an unexpectedly funny (and dark) turn when the couples discover they are stuck in a house together as the world comes to an end. Trapped and unsure of their chances at survival, these apparently normal, albeit shallow, friends become unhinged to hysterical results.

“We’ve been big fans of the movie since it came out in 2012,” says Smith. “It was a sleeper cult hit that was written in a very ‘theatrical’ way, and we’ve always wanted to do this on the stage. Now is the right time for us to give it a shot because the black box space at the Mars Theatre is perfect for this kind of comedy.”

The tense brunch is interrupted by the odd next-door neighbor, who walks into the house uninvited with news that there’s been a mysterious attack on the city.

“It’s a ridiculous dark comedy from the pop-culture-obsessed Paranoia Era,” Smith explains. “It’s wonderfully sarcastic. Poking fun at the sometimes superficial, always phone-obsessed millennials who, in the face of conflict, often behave in an ‘eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’ kind of way. It’s really something original and exciting. We couldn’t be more thrilled to share it.”

Audience members are advised that the play contains strong language, sexual themes, substance abuse and radioactive humor.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office 30 minutes before showtime or in advance online at www.BAPshows.com.

BACK ALLEY PHOTOS From left are Ashley Elliot as Emma, Alex Drennon as Hazmat Man and Chris Smith as Pete. From left are Zack Jordan as Glenn, Ashley Bradford as Lexi and Zachery Green as Buck.