Tags
April, Broadway, Broadway musical, Columbia, CoMo, Jesse Auditorium, Missouri, Mizzou, musical, theatre, Titanic, Titanic the Musical, University Concert Series, University of Missouri, White Star
A brief apology for my lack in posting regularly; law school really is very time consuming. However, I have made time for fun things such as ballroom dancing (I will go to a competition this fall) and volunteering as an usher at the Missouri Theatre and Jesse Auditorium. Which brings me to the show I ushered last night, Titanic the Musical. The show was actually quite good if you watched it with an open mind. It definitely was not a stereotypical Broadway musical, and it barely resembled the well-known movie.
Titanic the Musical recounts the historical facts of the Titanic’s only voyage. It is definitely a serious show, especially since most audience members know what is coming in the story. Instead of following one couple through falling in love and then losing it as in the movie version, the musical touches on the stories of numerous passengers aboard the ship. The musical captures stories of new love, stories of old love, hopes for the future, and dreams of moving up in the world. In addition to the emotional connections, the musical captures the details of what actually happened on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.
As a Broadway show, Titanic the Musical is well done. It does not fit the perceived ‘normal’ Broadway show. There is one dance number in the entire show and, instead of the stereotypical glitz, there is a simple set and relatively simple costumes to emphasize the importance of the story. The first act was slow in places as there were numerous characters and relationships to be established. It was a little hard to follow at times, but there were fun musical numbers, and numerous jokes spattered throughout. In fact, I personally enjoyed the wit and puns that were interspersed throughout the entire show. The jokes gave the show momentum and some of the best were well placed toward the end of the second act to counter the expected emotional ending to the show.
Overall, Titanic the Musical is a good show. It has points that could be improved, but it achieved its goal of telling the factual story of the Titanic’s beginning and end. It also honored the memory of the Titanic and her passengers.
The show also brought a steamer trunk full of memories from the Titanic:
![Titanic memories](https://stephaniescript.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img470.jpg?w=225&h=300)
Here are some of the clothes worn by passengers, and a shovel as would have been used in the boiler rooms.