In the mid-70s, there was a Florida tour of "The Student Prince", starring Allan Jones (father of Jack) and Harry Danner (brother of Blythe). I was a PA for one of the theaters where it played.
Harry arranged for the entire cast to sail to the Bahamas during the 2-day break between weeks 1 and 2. I was appointed the local "rep" and sent along to make sure everybody made it back on the yacht.
Except we only got about 3 miles offshore from Miami when the entire boat sank in a matter of minutes. The captain and crew disappeared in the only lifeboat and we discovered there were enough life jackets for only about half the 40 member cast.
Fortunately a garbage barge happened along and rescued us just before the yacht rolled over and sank like a stone. The only injury was a hamstring torn when one of the chorus kids jumped from one boat to the other.
BTW, despite all the stereotypes about hysterical actors, everyone stayed perfectly calm throughout the crisis, even those who couldn't swim.
Updated On: 7/1/11 at 06:34 PM