Titanique lands on Broadway with a gleeful, over-the-top spoof of the Titanic saga. The show repurposes Céline Dion’s catalog as its engine, stitching together iconic movie moments with rapid-fire jokes and cheeky meta-commentary. It’s affectionate, chaotic, and seriously entertaining from start to finish.
Constantine Rousouli stars as a buoyant Jack Dawson, while Marla Mindelle channels Céline Dion with gleeful bravura and a dash of theatrical exaggeration. The production leans on a lively ensemble, including Melissa Barrera as Rose, John Riddle as Cal, Debora Cox as Molly Brown, Franki Grande as Victor Garber, Layton Williams as a playful Iceberg and seaman, and Jim Parsons as Ruth, Rose’s formidable mom. The show thrives on quick-witted riffs that layer pop culture jabs over familiar Titanic beats.
The score stitches in Dion’s hits—My Heart Will Go On, All By Myself, River Deep, Mountain High—alongside cheeky nods to other eras and stars. A couple of era-defying gags land with perfect timing, including a sharper-than-usual wink at Lea Michele’s literacy and a playful dig at Broadway iconography. The design, from Mindelle’s eye-popping performance makeup to the show’s gleefully campy set pieces, keeps the pace buoyant.
Arriving at the St. James Theatre, Titanique opens just ahead of the real Titanic anniversary, following a circuit that stretched through L.A., London, and other stops. The show is built for immediacy, with improvisation that keeps some jokes fresh, including riffs on modern fandom and theater culture. At 1 hour 40 minutes with no intermission, it sails along on a wave of cheeky energy.
In the end, Titanique isn’t just a punchline-filled parody; it’s a celebratory, unabashed piece of Broadway entertainment that leans into queer heritage with warmth and swagger. Mindelle’s performance anchors the evening, yielding a show that feels bigger and happier than the standard musical send-up.
Cast & crew at a glance
- Marla Mindelle as Céline Dion
- Constantine Rousouli as Jack Dawson
- Melissa Barrera as Rose
- John Riddle as Cal
- Debora Cox as Molly Brown
- Franki Grande as Victor Garber
- Layton Williams as The Iceberg and Seaman
- Jim Parsons as Ruth
Running time: 1 hr 40 min (no intermission)
Source: Original article
