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Thomas Andrews,
was in charge of the plans for Titanic at Harland &
Wolff Shipbuilders. He sailed to observe how well she
did on her maiden voyage, constantly noting problems and
ways to further perfect her functioning and comfort for
passengers and crew alike. Strong yet quiet, and full of
integrity, he is the moral compass and intellectual
barometer of the show. Sings multiple solos, including
the gut-wrenching climactic Andrews’ Vision as
the ship sinks onstage.
J. Bruce Ismay,
was chairman and owner of the White Star Line. Savaged
by the press for escaping in a lifeboat when so many
others perished, it’s hard to know how much of the blame
he actually deserved but he plays the role of misguided
villain in the show. High-brow, aloof, easily frustrated
when disregarded, carries the burden and anxiety that
goes with leadership. Featured singer in several songs
including The Blame.
Captain Edward J. Smith,
62, was lured out of an intended retirement to take
command of one last maiden voyage. Unfortunately it was
his last, as he went down with the ship. A fatherly
figure with white hair and beard, he commands with deep
care for his passengers and encouragement toward his
younger officers. Featured singer in several songs
including The Blame. Must speak
proper British.
Frederick Barrett ,
he is strappingly strong, keenly intelligent, and
capable. He questions the motivations of the
powers-that-be to speed up, struggles with the monotony
of his occupation, and takes the giant step of sending a
marriage proposal back to his girl on shore via the
newfangled wireless. When the ship sinks he gives up a
place steering one of the lifeboats, and sings a
powerful goodbye to his lost love (one of several solos
he carries, including Barrett’s Song.) Tenor
(A2-G4) • Stage age 20s-early 30s • East Midlands accent
(similar to Yorkshire) •
Harold Bride,
was one of two wireless operators on the Titanic who
received ice warnings and relayed the SOS call.. A shy
and socially awkward young man. Sings several solos
including The Night Was Alive.
Baritone (C3-G4) • Stage age 20s-early 30s • British
Kate McGowen: Kate
is escaping a big mistake made in Ireland by boarding
the Titanic for America. Single, she is pregnant
(although not yet showing) with the child of a married
man. Not one to expend much energy on shame or despair,
she is simply driven: this is a predicament she must
solve – she needs a husband, and fast! She spots Jim
Farrell at the dock and manages to secure an engagement
in less than 4 days – a testament to her charm, her
positive spirit, and her forthright, assertive approach!
Kate is an indomitable spirit who knows what she wants
and how to get it. She sings the lead in Ladies’ Maid and
has several other solo sections. Requires a powerful
actress who can command our attention whether cheerful,
distressed, or quietly introspective.
• Strong Irish accent
Kate Mullins,
a young Irish traveling on the Titanic to a new life in
America where she intended to live and become a maid. In
the show she is the most frightened of the Kates,
overwhelmed by the scope of everything she sees, and
grateful for the comfort and care of her traveling
companions. She sings solos in Ladies’ Maid, and
several other moments. Strong
Irish accent
Jim Farrell,
is the love interest of Kate McGowen, and can’t help but
be amused by (and eventually fall for) this confident
and self-assured beauty. He has a pleasant boyish charm
of his own that turns manly when circumstances demand
it. He solos in the trapped-in-stairwell scene/song and
the Act 1 Finale. Strong Irish
accent
Edgar Beane is
goodhearted, often exasperated, has a dry wit, and is
not worried about impressing anyone
Alice Beane is
a tricky role: comedy wrapped in truth. It requires an
actress who can make us laugh by revealing the depths of
Alice’s heart, rather than by playing her for comedy.
She is like a child playing dress-up; the reality seems
absurd but the fantasy is earnest. Also her litany of
1st class gossip in the opening number is a singer’s
challenge.
Isador Straus,
owned Macy’s Department Store. Older, must sing with
Ida, the incredibly moving song at the end of the show
Ida Straus,
Isador’s wife, older, must sing.
Herbert Pitman,
3rd Officer, served faithfully aboard the Titanic,
helped uncover the lifeboats. In the show he has the
lion’s share of the solos in the opening number (loading
the ship with cargo and introducing passengers) and also
doubles as The Major in 1st class and as a 3rd class
passenger. Because of tripling, this actor must be a
chameleon, able to differentiate distinct character
types. He will be most featured as the Major.
Joseph Boxhall,
4th Officer, served on the White Star Line’s Oceanic & Arabic before
Titanic. As a junior officer he aids in navigation,
keeps watch, and assists passengers and crew as needed.
High energy and distinct characterizations required for
this triple-cast role!
Robert Hichens,
Quartermaster, was responsible for steering the ship,
and carrying out the helm orders. He was at the wheel on
that fateful night and obeyed the famous order “hard a’
starboard” which is the dramatic final tableau in Act 1.
It is said that the next 37 seconds ruined his life
Henry Etches,
Senior Steward, was an experienced steward to first
class passengers (something like a butler) who had
served many of the same glitterati on the Olympic before
reestablishing care for them aboard the Titanic. He
sings the lead in Remarkable Age and has several
scenes that underscore the smooth discretion he must
exhibit, and the great pride he takes in his work,
always remembering the likes, dislikes, and needs of his
“people.” Some might call him stuffy, but he just
really cares. His work is a vocation rather than
a job, one that he continues even in the face of death.
His scene with the Strausses at show’s end is incredibly
moving.
Stewardess Maud Slocombe,
serves under Mr. Etches, attending to 1st class
Stewardess Alice Pritchard,
serves under Mr. Etches, attending to 1st
Stewardess Anna Robinson,
serves under Mr. Etches, attending to 1st class
Stewardess Bessie Lavington,
serves under Mr. Etches, attending to 1st class, and
also serves as nanny to several children in
Latest Rag
Bellboy,
(preferably a girl who looks young and can pass as a
boy) takes care of passenger needs, announces meals, and
generally helps out the other serving staff.
Wallace Hartley, Roger
Marie Bricoux & Percy Cornelius Taylor
make up the band, with Hartley as leader. This will be
cast out of the ensemble.
Colonel John Jacob Astor IV,
Stage age late 30s-early.
Madeleine Astor,
(late teens) His much younger pregnant wife.
Benjamin Guggenheim,
46, American mining and smelting tycoon, was a regular
cross-Atlantic traveler, with a home (and mistress) in
Paris. The mistress, Mme. Aubart, accompanied him on the
Titanic
Charlotte Drake Cardeza,
58, booked Titanic’s most expensive suite, and traveled
with 14 trunks full of designer clothes, jewels, and 91
pairs of gloves, yet possessed an indomitable free
spirit that is belied by those seemingly superficial
trappings. A big game hunter, a yachtswoman who
circumnavigated the world twice, a patron of the arts,
and an independent woman who divorced her husband when
she learned of his infidelity, Charlotte didn’t let
anything stop her! Actress must be able to captivate a
room with her infectious good spirits and joyful
approach to life, while remaining classy and graceful
3rd class children 2-4
children ages will be cast as 3rd class children. We are
not specifying genders – casting will be based on
expressiveness in the audition and the fit with adults
who are Children will double as first class children in
The Latest Rag and perform as 3rd class in the rest of
the show. Note, children’s
characters will perish in the show so it’s important
that families are ready to deal with that kind of
material, and the fears or questions it might raise. |
