Titanique has been running in New York for almost three years and in Sydney for almost seven months, so it should come as no surprise that it has already been extended in Chicago, despite just opening.
As earlier written, I have followed the progress of the joint Porchlight Music Theatre/Broadway in Chicago production since it began rehearsing. Now that I’ve seen the official opening, I’ll share some additional thoughts.
The show is an event that starts rollicking even before the Celine Dion character, played with swagger by Clare Kennedy McLaughlin, in full Celine Dion accent, and then some, makes her first announcement to the audience. There were attendees in costume and a buzz in the air.
Maya Rowe (as Rose) and Adam Fane (as Jack), show no limits to their comedic energy and are able to turn on a dime to deliver with their singing.
I’ve previously noted that a lot of the show’s jokes elude me, and though I’ve now been educated about some of them, I still wish I could appreciate them in the moment.
This is especially true in regard to Rob Lindley’s ranting, eat the scenery, tour de force monologue as Ruth, which contained numerous references I didn’t understand, leaving me to ride the wave of the howling appreciation emitted by a large segment of the audience. The only thing missing was for him to start shouting “Auntie Em!!! Uncle Henry!!! Toto!!! It’s a twister!!! It’s a twister!!!” ala the guy in the tower in Airplane!.
This may not be a show for everyone, but the production values are first-rate and the whole cast is top-notch, frequently bringing down the house with their fabulous voices, even in the guise of an iceberg.