Rose Dewitt Bukater (Alex Ellis) is desperate for a brand-new day in Titanique (photo by Emilio Madrid)
TITANIQUE: UNE PARODIE MUSICALE
The Asylum Theatre
307 West Twenty-Sixth St. at Eighth Ave.
Tuesday – Sunday through November 6, $39-$98
[ed. note: Moved to the Daryl Roth Theatre through February 19, $80-$171]
titaniquemusical.com
asylumnyc.com
While I may have been severely disappointed with James Cameron’s disastrous Oscar-winning Titanic and I’ve never been known to blast out Canadian superstar Céline Dion’s songs in the shower, I couldn’t help but fall under the bewitching spell of Titanique, a wild and wooly musical parody of the beloved 1997 weepie shipwreck rom-com. Playing to sold-out houses at the basement Asylum NYC nightclub, Titanique is filled with hysterical anachronisms, inside jokes, and campy humor, beginning with the premise itself: A tour guide is leading a group of people through the Titanic Museum when Dion (Marla Mindelle) suddenly shows up, in a fancy gown, declaring that she will tell the real story of the disaster since she was on board at the time of the sinking.
“Bonjour, everybody! It is me, Céline Dion. I am here because this is not how I remember the story of Titanique,” she announces. “But Céline Dion, you just sang the theme song to the movie; you weren’t actually on the Titanic,” the tour guide says. “Or was I?” Dion responds with more than a hint of mystery. “But . . . that would make you at least one hundred and fifty years old,” the tour guide points out. “And you are confused because . . . ,” Dion adds. “People don’t live that long,” the tour guide offers. “Or do they?” Dion wonders with a smirk.
Dion proceeds to tell the tale of the young and lovely Rose Dewitt Bukater (Alex Ellis), who is engaged to marry the rich, pompous Cal Hockley (John Riddle) until she is saved from a possible suicide by the lowly but impossibly handsome Jack Dawson (Constantine Rousouli), who earned his ticket by winning a card game. “Well, Jacqueline, how are the accommodations down in steerage?” Rose’s snobby aunt, Ruth Dewitt Bukater (Ryan Duncan), asks snottily of the unruffled Jack, who replies, “The best I’ve ever seen, ma’am. Hardly any rats. You see, I don’t have any need for caviar and fancy things. All I need is the air in my lungs and my rustic Italian sidekick.” Ruth retorts, “And do you find that sort of rootless existence appealing, you poor unfortunate troll?”
Everyone is hoping their hearts will go on in parody musical (photo by Emilio Madrid)
Also on board is the unsinkable Molly Brown (Kathy Deitch), who is modeled after Kathy Bates, who played the role in the film, and ship builder Victor Garber (Frankie Grande); in the movie, real-life ship builder Thomas Andrews was portrayed by Tony and Emmy nominee Victor Garber. (With danger afoot, Ruth says to Garber, “You’ve been in so many movies and I can never quite say which ones but I’m always like . . . ‘Oh wow, there’s Victor Garber!”)
Garber the character is pushing the pedal to the metal, as Cal has insisted that the builder turn up the speed because he has a critical appointment at an exclusive salon in New York. While Jack and Rose fall in love, a seaman and Molly worry that the ship is going too fast. “Shut it, seaman!” Garber declares. “Cal has a hair appointment in Soho, and they book way out! Get downstairs and put more fire in this boat’s engine or else your ass is gonna be Goldie Hawn in Overboard. Beat it!”
Lo and behold, awaiting all of them is, of course, the Iceberg (Jaye Alexander), who is lying in wait to do just a little bit of damage.
Titanique, cowritten by Mindelle, Rousouli, and director Tye Blue, features seventeen Dion songs (“I’m Alive,” “Taking Chances,” “You and I”) performed by Mindelle and the rest of the cast (including ensemble members Courtney Bassett, Donnie Hammond, and Dimitri Moise), highlighted by two prominent covers, one from a Disney movie (with Peabo Bryson), the other by Ike & Tina Turner (sung here by Alexander). The arrangements and orchestrations by music supervisor Nicholas Connell are tongue-in-chic fun, performed live by a three-piece band and a trio of backup singers. Ellenore Scott’s choreography is playful and fun, making the most of Gabriel Hainer Evansohn’s small set and Alejo Vietti’s swanky costumes. Lawrence Schober’s sound and Paige Seber’s lighting keep the audience thoroughly engaged as they down their cocktails.
Fans of the movie will love the many direct and indirect references, from the extra-large heart of the ocean necklace to the revelation of Jack’s artistic talents, while everyone should get a kick out of the anachronistic mentions of American Horror Story, iPhones, Full House, #metoo, Caesars Palace, Patti LuPone, and Vicky Christina Barcelona.
Titanique, which Dion proudly calls the gayest show in town, is a delicious cruise cabaret extravaganza that pokes fun at Hollywood, and itself, in hysterical ways. And even if you hate the movie — and are not big on Dion and her music — you’ll have no choice but to surrender to the many charms of this unique reimagining of just what happened aboard the unsinkable Ship of Dreams.