“The fact that the finest, largest, strongest ship in the world -- called, in fact, the “unsinkable” ship -- should have been lost during its maiden voyage is so incredible that, had it not actually happened, no author would have dared to contrive it.” --Peter Stone

What an irony. And it is an irony that has captured the hearts and imaginations of many people since that fateful night of April 15, 1912. Many people have undertaken the task to tell the wonderful and horrible story of the R.M.S. Titanic. Often, the tragedy is sensationalized -- which is forgivable because it is so hard to grasp the full extent of the loss. But, I have never seen the story so beautifully told as it is in this musical.

The musical opened on Broadway April 23, 1997, a few months before James Cameron’s Titanic saga graced the big screen and became an obsession. Though it did end up winning a Tony for Best Musical, the musical seemed to be doomed from the start -- with its monstrous and intricate set, tragic story (that no one thought could be set to music appropriately), and the phenomenon that started with the movie. I do believe that, in the eyes of the theater-going public at least, this musical was overlooked because of the obsession surrounding the movie. People either loved or hated the movie. Those that hated it would not see the musical and many of those that loved it were upset when they found out Jack and Rose were not characters in the musical. The musical was simply not around long enough to make its own reputation before the movie came out.

I first heard about the musical on the Rosie O’Donnell Show that same year. The cast sang the departure hymn “Godspeed Titanic” and I was blown away. I knew I needed to see this musical, but living in St. Louis made that a little impossible at the moment. I don’t know why I didn’t buy the soundtrack right away, but I guess that made it nicer for when I finally did see the show. There is nothing like hearing wonderful music for the first time.

I did end up seeing the movie when it came out in December of that year -- two times, in fact. I liked it, more for its technical brilliance than anything, but I didn’t like the obsession surrounding it. The love story bothered me too. I felt like Titanic herself should have been the main character, not just the backdrop for the love affair. A few times during the movie, the ship does become the main character, and I think those are the best parts of it.

Anyway, we’re talking about the musical here. At this point it’s just so hard to distinguish the two because whenever you mention Titanic people automatically think of the movie.

I finally saw the musical August 25, 1999. It opened in St. Louis the day before I needed to be in Chicago for school, but I couldn’t miss it. And it was worth everything. The music itself is amazing and the story is just beautiful. All the characters are people who were actually on the ship. Some of the stories are slightly fictionalized, but they are all based on events that actually happened. The first act focuses on all the good things Titanic symbolized -- hope for a better life, joy at being alive to witness such progress. First, second, and third class passengers, as well as crewmen, are all portrayed equally. The musical does touch on the tension between the classes, but overall the first act is joyous and celebratory. The second act deals with the sinking -- first the disbelief, then the fights between Ismay, Andrews, and Smith over whose fault it is, families about to be torn apart saying their last goodbyes, and finally the numbness of the survivors that dreary morning on the Carpathia. Overall, the show ends on an uplifting note, with a reprise of “Godspeed Titanic” as those who died return to the stage -- “Pray your journey sound till your port be found, fortune’s winds sing Godspeed to thee” now having a more symbolic and touching meaning.

Here’s the song by song description:

Overture

In Every Age-- The builder, Thomas Andrews, walks onstage holding blueprints and marvels over the wonders of the world, implicitly comparing Titanic to these other feats of engineering.

How Did They Build Titanic?-- Stoker Frederick Barrett comes to the boarding dock to start his job and cannot believe how huge the ship is.

There She Is-- Barrett, Radioman Harold Bride, and Lookout Frederick Fleet all say goodbye to their sweethearts and then introduce themselves to each other. Calling Titanic a “ship of dreams,” they sing of how marvelous she will be. As they sing, other people are loading inventory in the background

The Largest Moving Object-- Owner J. Bruce Ismay, Captain Smith, and Andrews greet each other, commending each other on the work they all did to make the ship.

I Must Get On That Ship--The Third Class passengers board. Three Irish women, all named Kate, meet. Kate McGowan is convinced that she will marry a good-looking man she sees standing near them (Jim Farrell) -- as soon as she meets him. Other Third Class passengers join the women in singing about how being on the ship will make their lives better. Then the Second Class boards. Charles Clarke and Caroline Neville are running away to America to get married, while Alice Beane, dragging along her husband Edgar, is excited to meet all the First Class passengers.

The First Class Roster--Each of the millionaires is introduced, while Alice comments on who each one of them is.

Godspeed Titanic--I still can’t listen to this song without crying. All the passengers and crew join together in singing this beautiful prayer for safety as they cross the ocean. They are so sure the beautiful ship will hold them safely.

Barrett’s Song--Barrett sings about how he took this job to get out of the mines where he used to work, but working in the boiler room is still like being underground. He knows that ships are fickle on their maiden voyage and fears that the captain will try to push her too hard.

To Be a Captain--First Officer William Murdoch sings about how it must be hard to be a captain because he has to be in charge of everything and “holds their souls in the palm of his hand.”

Lady’s Maid--All the Third Class passengers sing about their specific dreams for when they arrive in America. Kate McGowan wants to be a lady’s maid, Kate Murphey wants to be a governess, Kate Mullins wants to be a sewing girl, while others want to be an engineer, a constable, and a millionaire. They all want to rise above themselves and believe America is the place to do it. At the end, Kate McGowan reveals she is pregnant.

What a Remarkable Age This Is--The millionaires have their first dinner on the ship and comment on how it is such a wonderful time to be alive, with all the new progress and inventions like cellophane.

The Proposal/The Night Was Alive--My favorite part of the musical. Barrett in his free time wanders into the radio room, where Bride helps him send a telegram to his sweetheart Darlene. Barrett misses her so much and is so overcome with love for her that he proposes to her in some of the most beautiful language I’ve ever heard:

“Be thee well
May the Lord who watches all watch over thee
May G-d’s Heaven be your blanket as you softly sleep
Marry me
And when you’re finally in my arms you’ll plainly see
This devoted sailor’s heart and soul are yours to keep”

Bride then sings about how his job is so important because he is the link through which people are connected. He feels like his life finally has a purpose. The two men then sing together, Barrett repeating his proposal and Bride singing about his connection with people. It is completely beautiful.

Hymn/Doing the Latest Rag--All the passengers sing a hymn during their worship service and then the First Class passengers dance as the band sings and plays. Alice sneaks onto the First Class deck and dances with them.

I Have Danced--Alice tells her husband about her adventure. Edgar tries to convince her not to care so much about the First Class, and she replies, “I want more than we’ve got now, Edgar. Why don’t you?”

No Moon--Fleet, the lookout, sings about how there is no moon and the sea is completely calm -- the worst conditions for a ship because icebergs are completely invisible. Several different scenes happen at the same time. Originally, this scene was done on a three-storied stage to show all the different decks of the ship. Most of the characters comment on how cold it has suddenly gotten and how dark it is outside.

Autumn--Bandmaster Hartley sings a new song for the people in the First Class smoking lounge. The people singing “No Moon” join. Several other characters sing their main songs. All the voices join together, growing louder and louder until there is silence and Fleet says his most famous line, “Dear mother of G-d -- Iceberg right ahead.”



Dressed in Your Pyjamas in the Grand Salon--All the millionaires think it is fun to be in the Grand Salon in their pajamas and are upset when the Second Class passengers enter. In the middle of the song, a tray rolls across the stage, showing that the boat is now starting to tilt, and the people begin to realize something is wrong.

The Blame--Andrews, Ismay, and Smith all blame each other. Ismay is upset that Andrews didn’t design it right. Andrews replies, “I’m just in the business of building, it’s G-d who sinks ships.” Ismay also thinks it’s the captain’s fault because he sailed into the iceberg. Andrews points out that Ismay was the one who wanted them to go faster. Ismay then tells Andrews he should have extended the bulkheads, but Andrews only built them up to C deck because Ismay wanted the First Class passengers to have bigger rooms. Ultimately, the Captain accepts that it is his fault because he was the captain and was in charge.

To the Lifeboats--The women and children say goodbye to their husbands/fathers. Isador Strauss, a millionaire, though offered a seat on a lifeboat won’t go until other men are allowed to go. Ida, his wife, decides to stay with him because she would rather die than live without him. Barrett sings his proposal to a picture of Darlene, after giving up his space on the lifeboat to Kate McGowan. She doesn't want to leave her new love Jim -- "I won't be a widow before I'm a bride" -- but he forces her to go because of her baby. This is one of the saddest and most effective scenes I have ever seen.

We’ll Meet Tomorrow--All the passengers stay hopeful that they will see their loved ones in the morning. Barrett, who cannot say goodbye to his love, sings to her photo and finds hope that he will see her in Heaven. Charles kisses Caroline, hoping that “one brief moment can make eternal ties.” Realizing the reality of the situation, the whole company sings, “If tomorrow is not in store, let this embracing replace forever, keep up together evermore.”

Still--Isador and Ida Strauss sing of their love.

To Be a Captain--First Class Steward Etches sings it this time, either as a condemnation of Captain Smith, or with “captain” now meaning G-d or some higher power.

Mr. Andrews’ Vision--He looks over his blueprints and sees all the things he should have changed and then imagines what will happen in the final moments before the ship sinks. "First class and third and second will mean nothing, and sheer humanity alone will prevail."

In Every Age/Finale--On the Carpathia, the survivors numbly recount the statistics of the tragedy. Bride mournfully sings Barrett’s prayer -- “Fare thee well, may the Lord who watches all watch over thee. May G-d’s Heaven be your blanket as you softly sleep.” The other survivors join in on “softly sleep,” and then go into the opening song, condemning and mechanical. Those who perished return for the final haunting, yet strangely joyful, prayer “Godspeed Titanic.”

“Sail on, sail on
Great ship, Titanic
Cross the open sea.
Pray your journey’s sound
Till your port be found
Fortune’s winds
Sing Godspeed to thee.”


Check out the official website for Titanic the musical.