Question on Song Interpretation (Titanic the Musical)

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 1:07am

I was recently cast in a production of Maury Yeston's Titanic as Thomas Andrews, and I have a question about how to tackle the song "Mr. Andrews Vision"

For those who know the song, the musical or who have played the part, do you think the song is a internal madness of Andrews that the audience is seeing; or is it a flat out description delivered to the audience? Because this would be a major factor in how I would sing the song.

Any input would be helpful! Thanks in advance!

Updated On: 12/27/07 at 01:07 AM

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 1:01am

Bump.
Anyone?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 10:21pm

I wouldn't call it madness. Andrews is taking responsibility and solving the problem, only too late. His only goal is to figure out why the ship is sinking, and when he figures it out he does what any ship builder would do, he draws up the plans. It does give information to the audience, but I would approach the performance as something that is actually happening.

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 6:07pm

I just came out of a production of Titanic and our Andrews went mad to GREAT effect. I think it's neccessary for the character to realize that all his planning could not have helped him and the immense guilt he has for creating the death trap that kills hundreds of people. To not take this song to that level would be doing it an injustice. I'm not saying run about scream the song like a madman, but treat it as if can't believe what you have done, how hundreds of lives are lost because of you, and an incredulous attitude towards your "vision".

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/6/08 at 1:49am

Thank you to both of you!

I think I'm going with your approach MungoGypst8232, and I completely agree. Because of him, hundreds of people are all about to drown to death; something that can only displayed by going man to a great extent.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/7/08 at 1:14pm

In the Broadway production, it was hard for the audience to concentrate on listening to the song, because the stage was tilting and there was a grand piano at the "high" end while Andrews was at the "low" end. You just KNEW that the scene was going to end witht he piano sliding down and crushing him.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/9/08 at 6:07pm

My director told me about that.

We obliviously cannot do that, so we're having everyone give the gaint platform a big jerk, right at the end of the song. With certain characters falling off it (ie. Mullins and Murphy).

Should be interesting.

Updated On: 1/9/08 at 06:07 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 12:34pm

that piano part was amazing.


BTW- I had no idea your were a male, based on your screen name until reading this thread.