Titanic - the musical

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 12:50pm

Hey, guys! Could you please post ideas and reviews of your experiences with the show, I'm quite interested and would like to know more. Thanks in advance!

[cturtle]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 1:43pm

i have a strong bias toward this show, because it was the first broadway production i ever saw. it was a knock-out experience and left me in tears for quite some time after the final curtain. i know it didn't "work" for some people, but it certainly worked for me. you should definitely get the cast recording, if you don't have it already.

here's an earlier thread where people expressed their opinions ...

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=802279#933935

here's a photo from the german production ...

Updated On: 7/4/05 at 01:43 PM

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 1:58pm

I saw it on the first night of previews. I had an obsession with both musicals and Titanic at the time (this was BEFORE the movie came out!) I was pretty young (well, 13) but I liked it. I didn't love it, but I liked it. It was cool though, we had to switch seats because the producers wanted our seats. I thought the costumes were beautiful, the music pretty, and over-all I thought it was an enjoyable show. Not the disaster some claim it is.

Updated On: 7/4/05 at 01:58 PM

[BroadwayMel]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 2:04pm

I saw this musical about 5 times when it was open in New York. There were some great performances -- Victoria Clark, Michael Cerveris, and Brian D'Arcy James -- however, I didn't think any of their roles allowed them to "stand out" in a season that boasted the likes of Chicago (which subsequently took home most of the acting awards this year).

The score? Mediocre. The only thing I really remember from the show are the lines, "There she is...big a** ship" (or something to that effect and "I want to be a lady's maid...lady's maid in America."

It was really fantastic to see the ship sink...quite honestly, it made it worth the price of the ticket. I did rush the entire time, so for $20, it was worth it!

[Urban]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 2:09pm

I will claim some bias and say I loved it. But it was one of my first 'big' shows as well.

My favorite line was one of the Kate's saying "It's not fate, it's Irish". Such a fatalistic world view, so Irish.

I have to say the open numbers where great. I have always loved that opening group of songs. And especially creepy later on in one of those twists I always love in musical theatre, the song was 'twisted' (if only for a few lines), and instead of "We must get on this ship" it became "we must get off this ship". I don't know why but those few bars always chill me when I hear them.
Updated On: 7/5/05 at 02:09 PM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 2:57pm

Thank you guys so much. Did they make a cast recording? I tihnk they did, if so, how was it and is it worth buying?

[exedore]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 2:59pm

I believe there's both a US and German cast recording.

[BroadwayMel]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 3:06pm

They did, indeed, make a cast recording. I think there are only about 6-7 songs on it. My opinion? Not worth having.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 3:07pm

It's a really inconsisten show. The opening sequence is really nice but the characterization is pretty non-existent and the entire show has a noticeable lack of momentum, the pastiche numbers in particular are unnecessarily long-winded and fairly pointless, other than to flaunt various musical styles of the era.

The lyrics and dialogue are way too interested in getting across 'Titanic' trivia, rather than fleshing out character or heightening drama.

Some pleasant music along the way, sure, but, overall it's a fairly unremarkable musical.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 3:13pm

the only thing besides 700 sundays to make me cry during the show. the staging was great. the music didnt thrill me at first, but after listening to it many times throughout the years, i have the score burned in my memory.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 3:44pm

I liked it, my thoughts were posted on the other thread, so I won't repeat-- but:

There is no line "There she is-- Big Ass Ship."

Kate doesn't say "It's not Fat-- It's irish." Three young irish girls meet onboard and realize all three are named "Kate." One remarks-- "It must be Fate!" and another says "It's not Fate, it's Irish" (Kate being a VERY common Irish Name).

I hope I haven't diminished your love of the show. It's a great score (not 6-7 songs, a full, wonderful score) and I recommend it highly.

[BroadwayMel]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 3:59pm

To clarify...

I was JOKING about the "There she is...big *ss ship." It's something to the effect of: "There she is...towering high, blah, blah..." Insert more choruses about how magnificent the ship is.

Second, I haven't listened to the CD in awhile...I might be confusing it with something else. While the show definitely has a full score, I thought the CD only featured a few songs and the rest was largely instrumental. Perhaps I'm wrong -- if I am, oh well. (Maybe I have a promotional CD? Not worth checking into.)

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 4:05pm

My camp did this show last sumemr and it made me cry. I didn't like the score too much at first but now I love it.

[Quasi]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 4:35pm

I really liked the German production and the German recording is really good. It is also a Dutch recording of it available.

[futurewinnerbud]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 4:56pm

I saw a very interesting production of it. They tried. Thats all I'll say. I also saw the national tour. I only liked 2 shows in Act 1 (No Moon is AMAZING). Act 2 is really good. Once the ship began to sink, I really began to like the show.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 4:59pm

David Costable...BRILLIANT

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 5:09pm

Titanic was beautifully realized and amazingly performed. The music offers a variety of pastiche songs as well as some rather stunning group choral peices - the entire first 15 minutes of the show is just astounding! The show received great reviews, walked away with a nice group of Tony's and many people were surprised at how good it actually it was!

Standout performances by Victoria Clark and Brian D'Arcy James and addictive music make this cd a joy to own. The CD is indeed complete and one of the best soundtracks of the last decade.

I remember turning to the woman sitting next to me in the theater after the opening sequence and we both just smiled and said, astonished, "WOW!" And the end of the show - tears and sniffles. Moreover, I'm a VERY harsh critic, especially when it comes to second acts of shows (often where many problems lie), and I was surprised at how well this show moved.

My opinion - Maury Yeston is a musical genius who needs to be a lot more active...

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 5:20pm

I saw Titanic a number of times, and for the most part I must agree with Marlen on this one. Really when you get right down to it, the show was very well constructed, and as for the music being "Mediocre", maybe you should get your ears checked. The only problem I had with it, in my opinion, was the obvious lack of character development. The only two characters that I truly felt sorry for were Isador and Ida Strauss, and that was mainly for the reason that they had just finished singing the gorgeous number "Still" right before they died. I would love to see somebody tool around and try to fix the problems with the shows book, but other than that, I loved Titanic.......The German production is the BEST yet!

See Ya!

Phantom05

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 5:32pm

"The CD is indeed complete and one of the best soundtracks of the last decade."

No, it isn't. It doesn't have 'Wake Up, Wake Up' at the opening of Act II.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 6:30pm

That's correct. The CAST RECORDING of Titanic is rather incomplete. it does fill the entire disc with a 78 minute running time, but there were a lot of musical "sections" that had to be left out in order for it to remain a one disc recording.

The song sung by Edgar and Alice, and then Caroline and Charles - "Edgar, look, right in there. The first class dining saloon!" / "Caroline aren't you thrilled? Finally now, you'll see what second class looks like!" along with several other scenes that had portions of sung dialogue ... the reprise of "What A Remarkable Age This Is" was not recorded. "I Have Danced" was reduced from a brilliant combination of scene and song to a simple sung-through song which takes away its charm. The Entr'acte and act two opening number "Wake Up! Wake Up!" are also missing and "The Staircase" song was not recorded, but overall, though, it is still a brilliant recording. It's just not complete.

And I must disagree with those who have negative things to say about the book. Peter Stone is/was a genius and the book for titanic is remarkable in the sense that he was able to combine all the characters and all the scenes into a seemingly seamless show with still - even though we know the ending - an act two filled with high tension my only complaint is that the millionaire's song "Behind Every Great Fortune" did not make it to opening night.
Updated On: 7/4/05 at 06:30 PM

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 6:58pm

Thank god they took Wake Up Wake Up and The Staircase song off of the recording... i wanted to slit my wrist in the theatre..... i loved the show but those were the cheesiest songs with th worst sets......



the show is amazing, most of the music is amazing...... but the only charecters i really love are, Alice, the Strauses, and Kate McGowan

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 8:31pm

Lot of misinformation you're so casually rattling off there, BroadwayMel, but as Joekv99 has corrected most of them, I won't go over them again. Little puzzled by your claim that CHICAGO "took home most of the acting awards this (sic) year".

CHICAGO, a revival, took six Tonys. TITANIC, an original, took five, including best musical. Granted, maybe CHICAGO's awards may have been for the actors performances while TITANIC's were for book, score & such, but they weren't even in competition. One a revival, the other new.

Personally, loved the show. Michael Cerveris' eleventh hour number, redesigning the ship as she sinks, was heartbreaking.

The show certainly had its faults, but it's an OBC album well worth having.
Updated On: 7/4/05 at 08:31 PM

[LucilleAndLeoFrank]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 8:40pm

I saw it on Broadway when I was really young (9) and didn't appreciate it. When I got older and became more interested in Broadway, I revisited the cast album and really fell in love with it. The music is pretty beautiful. The voices are stunning. Plus, how can you not like a show with a cast that included Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark and Brian D'Arcy James, just to name a few?

[BroadwayMel]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 9:38pm

I stand by my post, ghostlight. I was SPECIFICALLY talking about the acting. I believe I wrote:

There were some great performances -- Victoria Clark, Michael Cerveris, and Brian D'Arcy James -- however, I didn't think any of their roles allowed them to "stand out" in a season that boasted the likes of Chicago (which subsequently took home most of the acting awards this year).

NONE of the performers in Titanic were nominated for the Tony. While the show took home some creative awards (and best musical), the two major acting awards went to Bebe and James Naughton from Chicago. Now, we all know that a Tony nomination doesn't mean jack with regard to talent (see Victoria Clark, not nominated for Titanic and subsequent winner for Piazza). However, the role should make the actor stand out. Titanic really didn't have this when compared to The Life or Chicago.

As for the score, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I actually own the CD. However, it's certainly not on my list of top 15 OBCs to run out and buy.

[Jon]

Posted: 7/4/05 at 9:44pm

It did inspire one of the most brilliant FORBIDDEN BROADWAY parodies ever.

The opening was "Ship of Air" - since the sailors are looking at and singing about a non-existent ship.

Then, in the radio room - "The reviews are coming in!" "What does it say?"
IT SAYS DIT-DOT-DOT-DIT-DOT-DIT...
THIS SHOW'S A PIECE OF SH*T...

and finally, the lovely waltz that the band plays on deck as the ship sinks...

BOTTOM...
SHALL WE ALL MEET AT THE BOTTOM?