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Titanique
2017 jukebox musical From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Titanique (sometimes stylized as Titaníque) is a jukebox musical featuring music of Celine Dion, with a book by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle, and Constantine Rousouli. The musical is a parody of the 1997 film Titanic, and the story is a retelling of the movie's events from Dion's perspective.[1]
The show premiered in Los Angeles in 2017. It premiered off-Broadway at The Asylum Theatre in June 2022, before later transferring to the Daryl Roth Theatre. At the 2023 Lucille Lortel Awards, the off-Broadway production won three awards, including Outstanding Musical.[2]
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Premise
In the present-day, Celine Dion hijacks a Titanic museum tour, where she claims to have survived the Titanic's sinking. Celine begins to narrate her version of what really happened to Jack and Rose, and the other characters from the movie on the night the Titanic sank.[3]
The musical is partially improvised, and uses several pop culture references, including references to RuPaul's Drag Race and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.[1][3]
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Productions
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Los Angeles (2017)
The show premiered at Los Angeles' Sorting Room Theater as a one-night-only experience titled Titanique: In Concert on 14 December 2017. Book writer Tye Blue directed with co-writers Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli starring as Céline Dion and Jack, respectively, with music direction by co-creator Nicholas Connell who also arranged & orchestrated the music, joined by Alex Ellis, who starred as Rose.[4] Other cast members included Peter Porte, Tom Lenk, Drew Droege, Sebastian La Cause, Katherine Tokarz, Tom Detrinis, and Adam Zelasko.[5]
New York premiere (2018)
The show held a limited engagement at New York City's Green Room 42 inside the Yotel hotel on 25–27 August 2018 with Mindelle, Rousouli, Ellis, La Cause, and Zelasko returning. Joining the cast were Stephen Guarino, Kathy Deitch, Mikhail Thompson, and Mykal Kilgore.[6][7] An encore six-concert run followed from 30 November to 3 December 2018.[8]
Off-Broadway (2022–2025)
A fully-staged off-Broadway production began previews at The Asylum Theatre in New York City on 14 June 2022, with an official opening on 23 June 2022. It was once again directed by Blue, music directed by Connell, and choreographed by Ellenore Scott. It starred Mindelle as Dion, Rousouli as Jack, Ellis as Rose, Frankie Grande as Victor Garber, Deitch as Margaret "Molly" Brown, Ryan Duncan as Ruth, John Riddle as Cal, and Jaye Alexander as The Iceberg. The creative team was rounded out with scenic design by Gabriel Hainer Evansohn, costumes by Alejo Vietti, sound design by Lawrence Schober, lighting by Paige Seber, and hair/makeup/wigs by Tommy Kurzman.[9] The production was seen by several people associated with the film, such as Garber,[10] as well as Dion's manager and publicist.[11] The production won Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Musical, lead performer in a musical (Mindelle) and costume design (Vietti). Also nominated were Scott for choreography and Riddle as featured performer.[12]
In November 2022, the production transferred to the Daryl Roth Theatre with the same creative team. Several members of the company remained, except for Ellis, Deitch, Duncan, and Alexander, who were replaced by Carrie St. Louis, Desireé Rodriguez, Russell Daniels, and Avionce Hoyles, respectively.[13] Mark Evans took over the role of Cal, and Wulf Clark was a replacement as Garber, on 24 December 2022. Rosé assumed the role of Garber on 26 January 2023,[14] followed by Willam Belli who took over the role on 5 September 2023.[citation needed] The show closed at the Daryl Roth Theatre on 29 June 2025.[citation needed]
Australia (2024-25)
An Australian production premiered at The Grand Electric in Sydney. The musical began performances on 12 September 2024, and stars Marney McQueen as Dion.[15] Due to popular demand it was extended, finally closing on 22 June 2025.[16][17]
Canada (2024-26)
A Canadian production of Titanique opened at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, in Montreal on 27 October 2024 before closing on 24 November 2024. The production then transferred to the CAA Theatre in Toronto, where began performances on 5 December 2024 and will run through 12 January 2025.[18] Véronique Claveau stars as Dion.[19] Due to popular demand, the Toronto engagement was extended for two weeks, through 19 January 2025.[20] After this, the production played a return engagement at the Segal Centre between 2 to 16 February 2025.[21] In 2026, the musical will make its French language premiere in Montreal and then tour to Quebec City. [22]
West End (2024–26)
Titanique opened in the West End at the Criterion Theatre in previews on 9 December 2024, with an official opening on 9 January 2025. It is scheduled to play until 7 June 2026.[23] It starred Lauren Drew as Celine Dion, Rob Houchen as Jack, Kat Ronney as Rose, Darren Bennett as Victor Garber, Charlotte Wakefield as Margaret "Molly" Brown, Stephen Guarino as Ruth, Jordan Luke Gage as Cal, and Layton Williams as The Iceberg. [24] In June 2025 Houchen, Ronney, Guarino, Gage and Williams left the production, they were replaced by Luke Bayer, Hiba Elchikhe, Carl Mullaney, Richard Carson and Tosh Wanogho-Maud respectively.[25] Astrid Harris took over the role of Dion on 15 July 2025. Jenny O'Leary took over the role of Brown on 22 July 2025. Tim Walton took on the role of Garber on 2 September 2025. Ryan Carter took over the role of The Iceberg on 7 October 2025. It adopts British cultural references such as Gemma Collins, EastEnders and Jonathan Bailey's musical dance number "Dancing Through Life" in the film Wicked.[26][27] It was nominated for three Olivier Awards, winning Best Entertainment or Comedy Play and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Layton Williams.
Chicago (2025)
A licensed, non-replica production of Titanique, produced by Porchlight Music Theatre and Broadway in Chicago directed by Tye Blue[28] premiered at the Broadway Playhouse on 25 March 2025.[29] Due to popular demand, the Chicago run, starring Clare Kennedy McLaughlin as Céline Dion, was extended two additional months to 13 July 2025.[30]
Paris (2025)
The musical opened in Paris, France on 24 April 2025 at the Théâtre du Lido on the Champs-Élysées.[31]
Planned Broadway (2026)
The musical is scheduled to begin performances at Broadway's St. James Theatre on March 26, 2026, with an opening night set for April 12. It is scheduled to run until July 12. Marla Mindelle is set to reprise the role of Celine Dion for the production.[32]
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Musical numbers
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Notes
- The actor playing Seaman performs this song as Peabo Bryson
- The actress playing Molly Brown performs this song as the "Irish Lady" character
Cast and characters
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Notable replacements
Off-Broadway
- Céline Dion: Nicole Parker, Jackie Burns, Dee Roscioli, Cayleigh Capaldi
- Jack: Max Jenkins
- Rose: Lindsay Pearce, Cayleigh Capaldi, Cassadee Pope
- Victor Garber: Rosé, Willam, Tommy Bracco
- Ruth: Drew Droege, Nathan Lee Graham, Lea Delaria
- Molly Brown: Lisa Howard
- Cal: Mark Evans
Notes
West End
- Jack: Luke Bayer
- Rose: Hiba Elchikhe
- Victor Garber: Tim Walton
- Ruth: Carl Mullaney
- Molly Brown: Jenny O'Leary
- Cal: Richard Carson
- The Seaman/Iceberg: Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Ryan Carter
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Response
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Titanique quickly developed a devoted fanbase, primarily through word-of-mouth buzz.[40] The original off-Broadway production's popularity led to the musical moving to the larger Daryl Roth Theatre, where it has continually been extended due to popular demand. According to The New York Times, the musical has cultivated a fan army of "TiStaniques", with some having seen the musical over a dozen times.[40] GLAAD has attributed the musical's popularity to its unapologetic celebration of queer culture, campy humor, and pop culture references that have struck a chord with theater fans and the LGBTQ community.[41]
Critical response
Titanique has received widespread critical acclaim. Elisabeth Vincentelli of The New York Times praised the show's absurdity and campy nature, mentioning that it fully embraces the over-the-top elements of both Titanic and Céline Dion.[42] Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post similarly praised the show's campy humor, describing the show as "outrageously funny", and praised Mindelle's performance as Dion.[43] Likewise, Robert Hofler of The Wrap said the show was "really funny" and that it offers a refreshing take on familiar material.[44]
Charles Isherwood of The Wall Street Journal found the music to be "blandly adult contemporary", although he commented that the show was entertaining and praised the infectious joy of the cast.[45] James Kleinmann of The Queer Review highlighted the show's appeal to queer audiences, praising its witty book and rich array of pop culture references.[46] He noted that the production's campy and festive atmosphere sets the tone for a show that is "both beautifully crafted and joyfully irreverent".[46]
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Awards and nominations
2022 Off-Broadway production
Original West End Production
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References
External links
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