TITANÍQUE DELIVERS A HILARIOUS, CÉLINE DION-FILLED TWIST ON THE SHIP OF DREAMS
By Kiersten Bjork
Titaníque–with a book by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue, and music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Nicholas James Connell–is a hilarious burst of pure Broadway energy!
Primarily featuring the music of Céline Dion, the new musical dances across the stage, packed with all the vocal power you could wish for, and more. The Broadway production is directed by Blue (Billie Aken-Tyers, associate director), with Ellenore Scott as choreographer (Jeffrey Gugliotti, associate choreographer) and Geoffrey Ko as music director. Across the board, the show is filled with sharp comedy, witty humor, dynamic staging, and fun choreography.
Titaníque–with a book by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue, and music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Nicholas James Connell–is a hilarious burst of pure Broadway energy!
Primarily featuring the music of Céline Dion, the new musical dances across the stage, packed with all the vocal power you could wish for, and more. The Broadway production is directed by Blue (Billie Aken-Tyers, associate director), with Ellenore Scott as choreographer (Jeffrey Gugliotti, associate choreographer) and Geoffrey Ko as music director. Across the board, the show is filled with sharp comedy, witty humor, dynamic staging, and fun choreography.
The cast of Titaníque on Broadway (Evan Zimmerman)
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Layton Williams and the cast of Titaníque on Broadway (Evan Zimmerman)
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Narrated by Céline Dion, played by the utterly hysterical Marla Mindelle, the musical gives us the story of the film Titanic in a new light—told by Dion, who of course, was present for all of the events in question. Mindelle is an absolute riot--cracking jokes, bantering with the audience, and just generally taking us on an enjoyable journey down a Dion-infused memory lane.
Constantine Rousouli and Melissa Barrera take on the iconic characters of Jack and Rose. Barrera is both stunning and truly funny, leaning into the soft naivety of the role of Rose while balancing the sometimes subtle, sometimes over the top humor with expert skill. Rousouli is positively charming, capturing Jack’s carefree attitude and giving us a dashing-yet-adorable version of the character.
John Riddle gives a commanding performance as Cal, blending the character's serious, stuck-up nature with an extra touch of dramatic flair that comes as a fun surprise.
My favorite performance of the night is Layton Williams as the Iceberg. More than a few audience members leapt to their feet following the culmination of “River Deep Mountain High,” and to say his performance is phenomenal is an understatement. Williams’ vocals are fiery and fierce, and his stage presence is mesmerizing. He draws the eye, no matter where he goes, in the best way possible. Williams is also quite fun to watch as The Seaman and the Titanic Museum Tour Guide.
Jim Parsons is another standout in the role of Rose’s mother, Ruth. His moments of intentionally dry delivery and sharp humor were received with utter delight by the audience, and it all landed quite well.
Deborah Cox plays the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, wowing the audience with incredible vocals, and much more. This cast is excellent with the humor of the piece, and Cox in particular has impeccable delivery.
As Victor Garber, Frankie Grande is incredibly entertaining. His energy, vocal talent, and overall presence make for a dynamic performance. And, though the character only pops up here and there, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention his hysterical portrayal of Luigi—both Jack’s best friend, and the brother of a particular Italian plumber.
Rounding out the company are the three talented background vocalists who provide backing vocals and choreography throughout the many numbers—Sara Gallo, Polanco Jones, Jr., and Kristina Leopold. Tess Marshall, Brad Greer, and Kyle Rammar Freeman serve as understudies and swing vocalists for the production.
Constantine Rousouli and Melissa Barrera take on the iconic characters of Jack and Rose. Barrera is both stunning and truly funny, leaning into the soft naivety of the role of Rose while balancing the sometimes subtle, sometimes over the top humor with expert skill. Rousouli is positively charming, capturing Jack’s carefree attitude and giving us a dashing-yet-adorable version of the character.
John Riddle gives a commanding performance as Cal, blending the character's serious, stuck-up nature with an extra touch of dramatic flair that comes as a fun surprise.
My favorite performance of the night is Layton Williams as the Iceberg. More than a few audience members leapt to their feet following the culmination of “River Deep Mountain High,” and to say his performance is phenomenal is an understatement. Williams’ vocals are fiery and fierce, and his stage presence is mesmerizing. He draws the eye, no matter where he goes, in the best way possible. Williams is also quite fun to watch as The Seaman and the Titanic Museum Tour Guide.
Jim Parsons is another standout in the role of Rose’s mother, Ruth. His moments of intentionally dry delivery and sharp humor were received with utter delight by the audience, and it all landed quite well.
Deborah Cox plays the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, wowing the audience with incredible vocals, and much more. This cast is excellent with the humor of the piece, and Cox in particular has impeccable delivery.
As Victor Garber, Frankie Grande is incredibly entertaining. His energy, vocal talent, and overall presence make for a dynamic performance. And, though the character only pops up here and there, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention his hysterical portrayal of Luigi—both Jack’s best friend, and the brother of a particular Italian plumber.
Rounding out the company are the three talented background vocalists who provide backing vocals and choreography throughout the many numbers—Sara Gallo, Polanco Jones, Jr., and Kristina Leopold. Tess Marshall, Brad Greer, and Kyle Rammar Freeman serve as understudies and swing vocalists for the production.
Jim Parsons, Frankie Grande, and Deborah Cox in Titaníque on Broadway (Evan Zimmerman)
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Marla Mindelle in Titaníque on Broadway (Evan Zimmerman)
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Designed by Gabriel Hainer Evansohn and Grace Laubacher for Iron Bloom Creative Production, the set features levels reminiscent of a ship’s upper and lower decks, with stairs leading down into the audience for numerous entrances and exits from the house. Lighting is incorporated into the set itself, as many of the numbers feature concert-style lighting looks that elevate the energy of the numbers even more. Lighting designer Paige Seber fills the production with bright, vibrant colors, creating a dazzling light show to support the comedy of the piece.
Costume design by Alejo Vietti is beautiful. Mindelle’s dresses are absolutely gorgeous, and over-the-top in just the right sort of way. Jack and Rose’s iconic looks are echoed in their costumes here, and Parsons’ and Cox’s costumes are excellent. Hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe is likewise wonderful, especially the final look for the Iceberg. Lawrence Schober’s sound design is strong throughout, and particularly well-balanced for a show with such a big sound to it.
Costume design by Alejo Vietti is beautiful. Mindelle’s dresses are absolutely gorgeous, and over-the-top in just the right sort of way. Jack and Rose’s iconic looks are echoed in their costumes here, and Parsons’ and Cox’s costumes are excellent. Hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe is likewise wonderful, especially the final look for the Iceberg. Lawrence Schober’s sound design is strong throughout, and particularly well-balanced for a show with such a big sound to it.
Frankie Grande in Titaníque on Broadway (Evan Zimmerman)
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The cast of Titaníque on Broadway (Evan Zimmerman)
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Running an hour and forty minutes with no intermission, Titaníque is a joy from start to finish. Laughter and mid-number applause are a constant with this production—the audience was living for the incredible performances they were witnessing—and the energy in the room from the moment the curtain rises is palpable.
I highly recommend catching this production during its limited run at the St. James. It’s campy, it’s a musical that refuses to take anything seriously, and it’s the most fun I’ve had at a Broadway show in quite a while.
Titaníque is now playing at Broadway’s St. James Theatre. Learn more and purchase tickets at titaniquebroadway.com. Production photography is by Evan Zimmerman.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
I highly recommend catching this production during its limited run at the St. James. It’s campy, it’s a musical that refuses to take anything seriously, and it’s the most fun I’ve had at a Broadway show in quite a while.
Titaníque is now playing at Broadway’s St. James Theatre. Learn more and purchase tickets at titaniquebroadway.com. Production photography is by Evan Zimmerman.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.