“Titanic the Musical” MILWAUKEE Reviewed by Frank Meccia

Hard to believe the first time I saw this was back in 1998 on Broadway, and I came out with an OK musical. But Mark Clements had 3 years to work on this production, came with the idea in 2019 presented in 2020, but of course you know the ret of the story. Well, time and a pandemic brought out a fantastic new musical. First, I have to let you know this theatre the Quadracci Powerhouse, is a huge building, it holds a hotel, office buildings, 2 theatres and a fantastic restaurant, with indoor parking, So you never have to walk more then a minute to get anywhere. The only problem I had, the river runs 200 yards on the same street, and it takes 20 minutes for the bridge to open and close.

The play is 2 hours and 25 minutes, with one intermission, and you need it, the seats are just a little cramped, I and a lot of tall guests had to stretch. But this show, outdid Broadway, all new staging, with the use of projections and LED lighting, and the use of the ships walls and doors to compliment the set. My hat is off to Tim Mackabee, your scenic design made the entire how. The music director Dan Kazemi, and Joshua Clayton for Orchestrations, was excellent. The idea of using the players as silhouettes on the upper stage was pure genius.

The cast of 30 souls for this production was perfect, and for a small stage, the width is less then the depth, you never felt like they were cramped, and using the side aisles was a good idea. With this cast, and most people playing several roles, it was hard to keep up with who was who, but certain people just stayed in your mid with excellent voices and stage presence. First, David Hess as the captain was a great choice, as a stern man about to retire, but felt compelled to listen to the lines PR man, who kept pushing for more. He songs were moving and poetic. Andrey Varele as Ismay, and a great vocal range, and was a true standout. But two people when together because they had many roles, but when they played Ida and Isadore Straus, the founder of Macy’s Department store, they were perfect together. One of the closing songs, was when they refused seats on the lifeboat to save others and sang a wonderful song toasted by a glass of 1887 Cristal Champagne, in 1912 that bottle cost $163.00, today that bottle would be worth $5, 817.64, yes this is the best you can buy in champagne.

The entire cast I take my hat off,! You did a superb job! To be truthful you out did the New York production that I saw.

Titanic is running till October 23.

It is worth the drive, to be honest, make a weekend of it. There is so much to see and do in the fall in Milwaukee.

Performance days Tuesday at 630,

Wednesday    7:30 p.m.

Thursday at 7:30,

Friday at 8 pm, a

Saturday and Sunday at 3pm and 8pm.

Tickets are $20-$70 for Prime Orchestra, and $20-$50 for economy orchestra. Tickets can be purchased at tickets@milwaukeerep.com, or call 414-224-9490 .

BTW, the Rep restaurant on the second floor of the theatre building has a special prix fix dinner menu, the choices and service were fantastic. There is no way you would get this food at this price in downtown Chicago.