IT DOESN’T JUST FLOAT, IT SOARS
New York City Center’s Encores! describes itself, “This series of concert stagings revisits the archives of American musical theater. Centered around The Encores! Orchestra, these revivals are produced with limited runs and rehearsal schedules, spotlighting the vocal talents of star-studded ensembles.” And, boy, does it ever in its current staging of Titanic, the 1997 Tony winner for Best Musical, at New York City Center. With only key production elements, a practically empty stage, and actors with script in hand (barely), there’s nothing minimized about the audience experience of this stunning, limited-run production.
Company
The impressive cast includes Broadway luminaries aplenty, including Judy Kuhn, Ramin Karimloo, Chip Zien, A.J. Shively and Jose Llana. Also, a number of up-and-comers make strong showings including Samantha Williams, Andrew Durand and Alex Joseph Grayson. Direction by Anne Kaufman is a masterclass of staging and focus, while also eliciting wonderful performances from all involved.
Ramin KarimlooWith a gorgeous sounding, thirty-piece orchestra led by guest Music Director Rob Berman, the sumptuous and quasi-operatic music and lyrics by Maurey Yeston soar as beautifully as ever. Danny Medford’s choreography is period and fun, providing a strong sense of the era. Scenic Design by Paul Tate Depo III utilizes an unadorned, two-level configuration of scaffolding that easily lends itself to suggestions of multiple ship locations, including on-deck, below deck and even the ship’s bridge. Lighting Design by David Weiner effectively creates various moods at sea, as well as that big ol’ iceberg.
Chip Zien and Judy Kuhn
No surprise, Titanic sinks in the end. Yet the excellent story and book by Peter Stone somehow uses that well-known outcome to emotionally connect the audience to both the real-life and fictional characters onboard. From recognizable American Capitalists (the Astors, Guggenheim, the Thayers, etc. ) to a third-class, young Irish woman hoping for a new life in the States to various others in-between, Stone’s writing reveals the humanity within all of these people and the tragedy of losing all of that life due to hubris, ego and profit.
Andre Durand and Samantha Williams
And the color-blind casting of this staging actually accentuates the shared humanity all around. As J. Bruce Ismay, the impatient shipping company executive who pushes the ship past its limits, Tony-winner Brandon Uranowitz shines in all of his myopic and greedy perspectives and manipulation. Adam Chanler-Berat is very moving as First Officer Murdoch, the second-in-command who feels guilty for the horrific accident.
Adam Chanler-Berat and Michael Maliakel
Tony-winner Chuck Cooper is strong and powerful as the ship’s leader Captain E.J. Smith, who handles the continual pressure from all sides with grace and responsibility. And as Alice Beane — a middle-class, Indiana wife and mother eager to rise above her station — Tony winner Bonnie Milligan provides welcome comic relief as well as moments of honest depth when she realizes her husband is happy with their mediocre life.
Brandon Uranowitz, Jose Llana, Chuck Cooper, and Alex Joseph Grayson
With only a two week run, Titanic — pared down in production but not in performance — is a must-see. Whether in first-class or steerage, it’s a worthwhile musical journey that is sure to move, delight, entertain and surprise. You might even catch some dancing on the Lido Deck, before, well, you know…
Ramin Karimloo and Company
photos by Joan Marcus
AJ Shively, Emilie Kouatchou, Jose Llana, Chuck Cooper,
Brandon Uranowitz, Andrew Durand, and Samantha Williams
Titanic
Encores!
New York City Center, 131 West 55th Street
ends on June 23, 2024
for tickets (from $45), call 212.581.1212 or visit NY City Center
Bonnie Milligan and Drew Gehling