The Ship of Dreams, A Story of People (Clarksville Little Theatre)
- stagedoorlouisville
- 10 minutes ago
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Titanic: The Musical Music and lyrics by Maury Yeston Book by Peter Stone Directed by Cathy Ryan Review by Erin Hargan
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How does a theatre company present a musical about tragedy without losing sight of the people behind the history? That question sits at the center of Titanic: The Musical, the latest production at Clarksville Little Theatre that tells the story of the passengers and crew aboard the doomed Titanic.
The first act focuses on the awe of the Titanic being the largest, most luxurious and technologically advanced ship of its era. The stage was set to serve as the steerage, various decks, lounges, cabins, and boiler room. The show opens with a solo “In Every Age” by Thomas Andrews, the designer of the Titanic, played by David Neal. Neal brings a serious but quiet intellectualism to the stage as he sings about the ambition and optimism of the Titanic launch. Through this song the audience experienced the conflict of building the Titanic as the zest of human achievement while also anticipating the hope that builds in that moment. The pivotal song for this act, however, is “Godspeed Titanic”. It introduces the large cast, filling the stage with everyone from the wealthy First Class travelers to the people in Third Class journeying to new lives. It is a bold and beautiful performance by the large cast, which made the audience care about the people on board and the journey ahead.
As Act I continued, the music focused more on the personal side of the passengers, making them feel relatable. There were bits of humor in this act, mainly in the dialogue scenes, that further endeared characters to the audience. The first act ends with what everyone knows is coming: the collision with the iceberg. The atmosphere created by the sound and lighting was incredibly effective; it drew the audience in and made the unfolding tragedy feel much more vivid and real.
The second act shifts from the optimism of the voyage to the chaotic and emotional reality of the disaster. It was during this half that the actors really showed their range, moving from songs of hope to those filled with fear and heartache. What stood out most was how the cast captured the human side of the story, making the loss feel personal rather than just a historical event. In this act, Richard Ryan showed the vulnerability of Captain E.J. Smith through the burden of his responsibility, as he goes from a trusted and confident leader to a person struggling with the consequences of his decisions. David Neal returned as Mr. Andrews at the very end for a reprise of ‘In Every Age.’ While the opening version was full of hope, this was far more reflective, with Neal offering a somber and moving end to the journey.
The production truly came full circle with the final reprise of “Godspeed Titanic”. Seeing the cast return to the stage for this last number was incredibly moving. It served as a beautiful tribute to the passengers the audience had come to know, shifting the song from a send-off of a ship to a heartfelt farewell to the people themselves.
This production of Titanic: The Musical is immense, requiring a large cast, inventive staging, and significant vocal demands. Clarksville Little Theatre rises to this challenge with strength and vitality, presenting a production that honors the lives lost and the many people affected by the tragedy. The talent and heart of this cast turned this performance into a memorable experience.
Titanic: The Musical
Clarksville Little Theatre
April 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 @ 730 pm April 5 & 12 @ 2pm
301 Montgomery Ave.
Clarksville, IN 47129
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