Broadway’s epic voyage of love, loss and legacy is playing at Chicagoland’s longest-running musical theatre, Marriott Theatre.
The Theatre continues its 50th Anniversary Season with the epic production of “Titanic, The Musical,” which runs through June 1. Connor Gallagher directed and choreographed the production, which was musically directed by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson.
Based on the real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, “Titanic The Musical” is a stirring portrait of the passengers on board the “unsinkable ship” and the tragedy that followed.
“As a child who discovered musical theatre in the ’90s, Titanic was a formative show for me,” said director Connor Gallagher. “The chance to bring it to life on the Marriott Theatre stage is a thrilling, daunting, and ultimately energizing task.
Add to that the legendary actors of Chicago and one of the most haunting scores ever written, and I couldn’t be happier to be collaborating on this production. I promise it will be unlike any Titanic you’ve seen before.”
One of those legendary Chicago actors is James Earl Jones II as “Edgar Beane/Fourth Officer Boxhall.” The Crusader reached out to Jones to discuss his roles in this play and his famous name.
“I play a character named Edgar Beane. He’s a humble husband and hardware store owner from Indianapolis, and his wife is Alice Beane, played by the amazing Lillian Castillo,” Jones said.
“With so many people not surviving the wreck, I was fully prepared to be one of them,” he said about his imminent death in the reenactment of the fateful voyage. “I do, however, appreciate the love Edgar has for his wife that he makes sure she gets on the boat and survives.”
He talked about his dual roles: “Most of the people in the show play multiple characters, so you witness various perspectives and narratives. I think that allows you to walk away from the show every night with an appreciation for love and life, while also seeing the positives and negatives of the evolution of industry.
“However, I don’t take any negative feelings with me, ever. Just an appreciation for performing and for bringing the story to so many different audience members every night.”
Even though Jones has appeared in eight productions at The Theatre, he still works hard to secure roles. “The audition process was fairly intense, because I was still on the road doing the first national tour of “Company.” I submitted an audition on tape, first. Followed by a second tape for a different character. Then I did a live audition via Zoom with our director, Connor Gallagher and the creative team, and voilà! Here we are!”
Jones discussed being a distant cousin of the late James Earl Jones and whether this puts pressure on his career. “Honestly, I don’t put any weight on it. James Earl Jones is a legend who broke barriers and cemented his name in the annals of history. His work and our conversations certainly inspire me, but I can’t aspire to be him. I simply continue to invest in creating my own path in this world. There’s only one ME, so I just want to focus on being the best possible version of that, every day.”
I have seen a few musicals at The Theatre, and it’s always a good time. And finally, Jones added, while urging folks to come out: “There haven’t been many productions of the show performed in the U.S. and none in the Chicagoland area. The Marriott has been invested in bringing this show to audiences for a long time.
“And it is because of that investment that you can be sure that the show will be nothing short of amazing. The actors are brilliant, their voices are gorgeous, the music is epic, and you get an entertaining history lesson to boot! Get your tickets tuh-day!”
I attended a performance recently and to hear the sounds of the tragedy tugged at my heart. There was this push to speed up the ship at the request of the captain, which was the worst decision ever.
Help couldn’t come fast enough and throughout the voyage and in the end there was an air of classism. The folks with money in the luxury cabins were able to get onto the limited number of lifeboats available.
And others were doomed, as history tells us.
Chicago actor James Earl Jones was great in a good play in illustrating, with some liberties, what happened on that fateful voyage.
“Titanic The Musical” also stars David Girolmo as “Captain E.J. Smith,” Adam Pelty as “J. Bruce Ismay,” Christopher Kale Jones as “Thomas Andrews,” Erica Stephan as “Kate McGowan,” Garrett Lutz as “Jim Farrell,” among other talented cast members.
For ticket and more information about The Theatre, located at Ten Marriott Drive, visit marriotttheatre.com.
Elaine Hegwood Bowen, M.S.J., is the Entertainment Editor for the Chicago Crusader. She is a National Newspaper Publishers Association Entertainment Writing’ award winner, contributor to “Rust Belt Chicago” and the author of “Old School Adventures from Englewood: South Side of Chicago.” For info, Old School Adventures from Englewood-South Side of Chicago (lulu.com)