Titaníque

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Some shows are better Off Broadway either because the smaller theater helps the ambiance or the smaller budget inspires greater imagination or there is a “let’s put on a show” vibe that enhances the fun. Titaníque, the Off Broadway hit musical which has traveled from The Asylum NYC to the Daryl Roth Theatre to ultimately Broadway’s St. James Theatre, is one of those shows. Not that is it not still an entertaining musical, but the feeling of spontaneity with props that looked like found objects is now missing. The cast is mainly the same but for some superstar additions particularly Emmy Award-winner Jim Parsons as a mugging Ruth DeWitt Bukater and Grammy Award winner Deborah Cox as the unsinkable Molly Brown.

Many of the jokes no longer land (along with many more pop culture references) and there is the nagging feeling that everyone is trying too hard. The new art deco unit set by Gabriel Hainer Evansohn and Grace Laubacher for Iron Bloom Creative Production (for this Edwardian story) enhanced by Paige Seber’s new red pink, fuchsia and blue lighting makes the show feel like everything has been blown out of proportion. What was once the most hilarious musical parody to play New York in many a year is now just another big Broadway extravaganza. You will have a good time but it will not be the best show you have seen this year.

The premise, the book and score (with additional reprises) remain the same. Since international superstar Céline Dion only got to sing one song at the end of James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic, the now iconic “My Heart Will Go On” which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Song, why not turn the film into a cabaret musical with a score made up entirely from the Céline Dion catalog? That is just what Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue’s book has satirically done, casting Mindelle in the leading role as a perfect mimic of Céline Dion, Rousouli as hero Jack Dawson, and Blue directing the show. Whether you recall the film from 29 years ago or not, you can enjoy the satire.

When the audience takes their seats, they are confronted with a giant replica of the blue diamond “Heart of the Ocean” necklace that plays so prominent a part in the story. The show begins with a tour of the Titanic Museum interrupted by an old lady who, throwing off her shroud, turns out to be a glamorously dressed Céline Dion who wants to tell the true story of the Titanic: she insists that she was on board back in 1912 and she proceeds to tell her version. Even her ending is somewhat different than the one that concluded the film, making her the heroine of the show.

Dressed in a gold sequined sheath slit up the front (from costume designer Alejo Vietti), and speaking in an exaggerated French-Canadian accent, Mindelle/Céline conjures all the main characters who board what she refers to as Titaníque: millionaire Cal Hockley (John Riddle), his aristocratic fiancée  Rose DeWitt Bukater (film star Melissa Barrera), her impoverished but imperious mother Ruth (played by Parsons in partial drag), the unsinkable Molly Brown (glamourous Cox who no longer resembles Kathy Bates who played the role in the film), “Victor Garber” as actor Victor Garber who played architect Thomas Andrews in the film but here also plays Captain Smith (Frankie Grande) and poor artist Jack Dawson who wins his steerage ticket in a poker game (Rousouli).

The story covers all of the most salient points in the movie: Jack saving Rose from jumping off the prow of the ship, the dinner at which he is invited to the first-class dining room, his drawing Rose in her stateroom wearing nothing but the “Heart of the Ocean” necklace, his being caught with the necklace in his pocket, the iceberg hitting the ship, etc. Eighteen songs from the Céline Dion catalog have been arranged and orchestrated by Nicholas James Connell. Jack and Rose’s duets “Taking Chances,” “If You Asked Me To,” “To Love You More,” and “Because You Loved Me” are all interrupted by Celine Dion who hilariously interjects herself into their songs – and kisses.

As a serenade to Jack, Rose and Cal, she also has an opportunity to sing Menken and Ashman’s “Beauty and The Beast” as a duet with Peabo Bryson (here played by Layton Williams) just as she did on her famous recording. “River Deep, Mountain High” becomes a lip synch contest by the six leads officiated by “Tina Turner” à la Ru Paul’s Drag Race to see who gets to leave in a lifeboat. Other iconic Céline Dion songs shoehorned into the storyline include “I’m Alive,” “Tell Him,” “I Surrender,” “All By Myself” and “A New Day Has Come” at emotional high points.

Anachronistic references to pop culture keep popping up throughout the show: Broadway musicals (The Newsies, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Chicago), movies and television shows (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Kung Fu Panda 2, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Overboard), musical icons (Patti Lupone, Carol Channing, Nicole Schirzinger, Stephen Sondheim), stores (Forever 21, Jared’s Jewelers) and many more. Now that Parsons is in the show there are jokes about The Big Bang Theory and the underutilized Cox gets to sing a line from her “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here.”

The cast is attuned to the authors and the director’s sense of humor, and all have excellent voices. The standout, of course, is Mindelle’s terrific impersonation of Céline Dion which also includes the parody of her off stage banter. As Rose, Barrera is even more naïve and curious than she is required to be. Rousouli’s Jack is a stalwart, self-confident, self-effacing hero. As the abusive Cal, Riddle plays him as a handsome egotistical, metrosexual who may or may not be wearing full face makeup. Unfortunately, Parsons’ over-the-top rendition of Rose’s mother Ruth DeWitt Bukater tries so hard that it is not funny but irritating.

Grande, the half-brother of the singing superstar, plays both Jack’s friend, the bubbly Luigi (from Mario Kart in Nintendo) and the authoritative “Victor Garber” dressed as the captain of the ship. Cox as Molly Brown (the only historical character in the show) is a practical, down-to-earth doyenne of prudent wisdom. Stealing every scene he is in, Williams as the show’s jack of all trades plays the museum tour guide, the Seaman, an Irish Lady, Peabo Bryson, Tina Turner – and The Iceberg. The three-person backup group (now played by Sara Gallo, Polanco Jones, Jr., and Kristina Leopold) give superb singing support, as well as appearing in crowd scenes. As a musical concert and a film parody, Titaníque is enjoyable entertainment for all ages. The show may even return to its original insouciance the longer the new cast play their roles.

Titanique (through July 12, 2026)

St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44^th Street, in Manhattan

For tickets visit, http://www.titaniquemusical.com

Running time: one hour and 50 minutes without an intermission