By Linda Harkcom
Last weekend I was assigned to cover Split Stage’s production of Titanic The Musical at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about the show, other than the obvious, and with an incredibly busy week, I really had only decided to go because I was incredibly intrigued to see how the theatre was being used in a new way.
Don’t get me wrong, I have enjoyed Split Stage productions in the past, so it was more the lack of knowledge of the show and the fact that I was operating on only about 5 hours of nonconsecutive sleep that had me fearing I would fall asleep in my seat. I tell you this only to help you understand the magnitude of the value of the production I saw that night. Not only did I not fall asleep, but instead I was captivated by every aspect of the show and left the venue completely energized.
While the 33 member cast collectively gave a strong performance, it was the brilliance of Director Brady Patsy and his unique vision for this show that made it one of the most exciting theatrical experiences I have had in a very long time.
Patsy’s vision included removing all of the seats in the center section of the theatre, something that had never been done before in the recently renovated venue. By adding seating on the stage, he was able to turn a traditional theatre into a theatre in the round. The mezzanine was renamed the Stern, the stage seating named the Bow and the left and right sides were named Port and Starboard. My seat was located in the Stern. Having given this much thought, I can truly say I would love to be able to see this immersive production from any of the seats as it would look very different from each perspective. That alone makes the show one you may want to see multiple times.
Having attended multiple productions in this theatre over the past several years, I just couldn’t really imagine how this was going to work and had to see how the theater company would pull it off. The only thing I can say is bravo not only to Patsy’s re-imagining of the use of space but also to Split Stage and the powers that be at The Lamp for being brave enough to allow him to follow through with his vision.
Patsy utilized every inch of the theatre to create a completely immersive experience for the audience regardless of where they were seated. Before the show started, I looked at the slanted floor where the main part of the action would take place and wondered how that, what I perceived to be an obstacle, would be handled. But thanks to Patsy’s brilliant staging, immediately, once the show started, you forgot the floor was slanted at all. In the first act he used the slant so masterfully to create the illusion of different levels of the ship. When there was action with a large number of actors on the floor, such as a dance scene, he somehow, with the use of lighting or staging or both, made you unaware of the difference in elevation at all.
You didn’t notice the change in elevation of the floor until Patsy wanted you to in the second act. It was then he used the floor to his advantage to create the illusion that the ship was listing. His use of the entire theater from the center section to the Mezzanine to create the final moments before the ship and its remaining passengers went to their watery graves was absolutely chilling.
The story is not at all related to the Academy Award winning film that most people think of when they hear Titanic. Instead, it tells the story of that fateful voyage from the perspective of the crew/creator/owner as well as the first, second and third class passengers.
The exquisite costuming and props for, what I’m assuming is a small budget show, were impressive. They were all very period appropriate and not only helped transport the audience back to that time but clearly showed the distinction between the different classes of passengers as well as the crew.
Music director Chad Grubb, who doubled as Orchestra Leader Wallace Hartley, took a cast of talented vocalists and musicians and created numbers that delighted the audience. From the powerful vocals in the first number you knew you were in for a musical treat. One of my favorite numbers was “The Proposal/The Night was Alive” performed by Gabe DeRosa as Stoker Frederick Barrett and Matthew Hommel as Radioman Harold Bride. Both actors were not only on point in both singing and acting during the song, but also throughout the show.
The cast as a whole was very strong. Each actor, especially those cast in the roles of the crew were committed and totally believable. The actors who played the crew, owner, and designer, made you feel their frustration and their fear. It is hard to really name stand-outs without naming each actor. I will however mention a few that really caught my eye for various reasons and I believe deserve a shout out.
Mandie Russak made us laugh as Alice Bene who was a second class stalker of the wealthy on board. Her comedic antics stole the number is “Doing The Latest Rag.”
Isabella Husnick was a featured dancer whose performance was not only beautiful and very touching but, at one point, thanks in part to Patsy’s staging, nearly takes your breath away.
Sarah Hennessy, who played Kate Murphy, not only has a lovely voice but even in the limited role she had you could tell she had solid acting ability. Her moving final scene took place very near our seats. Pulling that scene off in the manner that she did, while being so physically close to audience members was very impressive. I would have liked to have seen more of her in the show.
Bill Fisher and Shelley Spataro as Isador and Ida Straus really touched both my husband and I with their moving performance of “Still.”
The only negative I can say about the production has to do with the sound. There were times, in the first act especially, where it was difficult to make out what was being said. This was a large cast with many mics so I’m sure that coupled with the show being in the round makes it more difficult to engineer. But like every production that runs two weekends, there is time to tweak things and improve them for the next round of shows, so that may not be an issue moving forward.
If you are looking for a unique immersive theatrical experience I highly recommend this production. A couple of tips for those going to see the show. Seating is general admission in your specific section for which you hold a ticket, so show up early so you have an easier time finding a seat. Also due to the full usage of the theatre including the hallways that take you to and from the lobby, there is no access to the restrooms during the first act so it would be prudent to use the facilitates before the show begins.
Tickets range from $20 to $25 and can be purchased by going visiting Split Stage’s site.
Linda Harkcom is a freelance writer whose writing has appeared in most newspapers in South Western Pennsylvania. She has covered the theatre scene in Westmoreland and Fayette County for almost 10 years. Having raised two actors, she is the author of DearTheaterMom.com where she gives advice to parents who have children in or thinking of entering the entertainment field. She is also the editor of WPAEntertainmentnews.com a new blog focusing on entertainment in Western Pennsylvania.
Categories: Archived Reviews