Catastrophic gala brings back Marty McFly, Ferris Bueller & Houston-devotee Mo Rocca

Remember when band was cool, cheerleading was awesome, braces ruled and side ponytails were fashionable? For guests of Catastrophic Theatre's "Back to School" gala, that was as recent as Saturday night when almost every teenage stereotype was celebrated and hilariously mocked, tongue-in-cheek. 

Modish big hair a la the 1980s was omnipresent, rad and bodacious. 

Staying religiously faithful to its motto, "we will destroy you," supporters of the unorthodox theater company dusted their relics of yesteryear and morphed S.P.J.S.T Lodge #88 into a wacky dance hall/cafetorium at "Catastrophic HIgh." In a Saved by the Bell meets Breakfast Club meets Ferris Bueller's Day Off meets Bring it On meets Glee meets Grease, the retro fab crowd abandoned any and all inhibitions and embraced their adolescent alter egos including gleeks, janitors, principals, cheerleaders and a half-naked swim jock in Speedos and a towel. 

Co-chairs James Glassman, as Back to the Future's Marty McFly, and Tim Moloney, sporting a '70s ruffled sky blue tux, and Catastrophic friends masterfully orchestrated the evening honoring legendary HSPVA theater teacher, Robert H. Singleton. A loyal supporter of Catastrophic's Jason Nodler and Tamarie Cooper, Singleton inspired many of his pupils to pursue and thrive in artistic endeavors. 

Courtesy of Whole Foods Market, Last Concert Cafe and Butter and Company, guests noshed on mac and cheese, hot dogs, spaghetti and meatballs and frito pies piled on compartmentalized cafeteria-style trays.

Taking this nostalgic journey down memory lane were sweethearts Mark Sullivan and Cerón, Caroline Starry LeBlanc and Jared LeBlanc, Adam Walker, Judy Nyquist, Bill Arning, Heather Pray, Tiffany and Marty Hricik, David Lake, Ted Gregory, Bevin and Dan Dubrowski, Kate and Will Stukenberg and special guest, comedian/TV personality/political satirist/Houston lover Mo Rocca.

Musical entertainment was provided by the vocal and piano skills of Keith Reynolds as the bearded lunch lady, a marching band and headliners Molly & the Ringwalds. The Catastrophic "Dance Team" concocted an '80s tribute piece followed by a cheerleading routine based on choreography from Cooper's original shows.