Titanic!
at Cardinal O'Hara High School

Reviewed on November 25, 2017

Anna Bobok
Upper Merion Area High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 1

Titanic! The Musical at Cardinal O'Hara High School had audiences "Doing the Latest Rag" from the first note to the close of the curtains!

On April 10th, 1912, thousands crowded on board the R.M.S. Titanic, the largest water vessel of its time and a supposedly unsinkable ship. By April 15th, the ship was completely underwater and less than half of its passengers and crew had escaped on lifeboats. The shipwreck was discovered in 1985, inspiring lyricist Maury Yeston and book writer Peter Stone to collaborate on a musical detailing the disaster and the real people it impacted. The musical won several Tony Awards in 1997, including Best Original Score, Best Book, and Best Musical.

Dylan Rooney (Thomas Andrews), Jack Williamson (J. Bruce Ismay), and Brian McAnulla (Captain E. J. Smith) played well off each other's energy, which was especially evident in "The Blame". The actors utilized this song to raise the stakes of the show through their strong portrayals of tension and anger that engaged the audience fully. Rooney was a particular standout of the trio with his songs "In Every Age" and "Mr. Andrew's Vision" showcasing his soaring vocals.

Grace Grassi (Kate McGowan) played her character expertly with an authentic Irish accent. Her voice was especially strong in the number "Lady's Maid", where she managed to command the stage amidst a large ensemble. Kevin Bonnell (Frederick Barrett) portrayed his lovesick role with heart and charm, evident in his songs "Barrett's Song" and "The Proposal". Katie Till (Ida Straus) showed off her powerful pipes in "Still", a beautiful song where she blended well and created good chemistry with Gavin Lewis (Isidor Straus).

Kristina Goldhorn & Brennen Frame (Alice & Edgar Beane, respectively) added elements of humor and fun to the show, which really helped brighten the bleak tale. Frame's dry one liners countered Goldhorn's eccentric portrayal extremely well, and laughter was heard every time the pair was on stage. Connell O'Brien (Henry Etches) had an infectious energy throughout the whole show that was especially showcased with the number "What a Remarkable Age this Is".

The show's marketing team made good use of technology with their impressive time-lapse video of the set building process and interviews with the cast. Their creativity was showcased with their handmade Titanic bow outside the auditorium. Audience members and critics alike utilized this for photo opportunities and it made the overall theater experience a lot more fun and inclusive.

Cardinal O'Hara's actors and actresses gave a stellar production of Titanic! that was far from a shipwreck!

June Sanchez
Upper Merion Area High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 2

The legend of the Titanic is one known to the masses. For over a century, the story of a glamorous, impressive ship doomed from the start has intrigued and inspired numerous creative works. Cardinal O'Hara High School's rendition of "Titanic!" delves further into the tragic historical narrative, introducing the audience to the passengers of the Titanic themselves.

A tale of what became of the world who set sail, "Titanic" tells the infamous story of the seemingly unsinkable luxury liner shipwrecked on its maiden voyage. But before thousands met their bitter demise, they had hopes, dreams, and their own story to tell. "Titanic" details the lives and deaths of those aboard the "ship of dreams" while highlighting themes of class struggles, the ever-expanding technological pursuits of the human race, and the problems posed by excessive pride. The show received immense critical acclaim upon its 1997 Broadway release, winning Tony awards for "Best Musical", "Best Book", and "Best Score."

Cardinal O'Hara's cast tackled an ambitious and involved production with immense energy and enthusiasm. Although the cast occasionally struggled to find their harmonies during group numbers, they compensated through a few standout vocalists and excellent comedic timing throughout.

Dylan Rooney (Thomas Andrews) expertly encapsulated the internal struggle of the ship's designer and builder grappling with the reality of his failures. His standout vocals and heart wrenching epiphany in the Titanic's final moments during "Mr. Andrew's Vision" reflected the cruel and tragic fate of a ship that just hours before was his source of immense pride. Grace Grassi (Kate McGowan) created an authentic character through her melodic vocals and hopeful imagination of what her life would be like in America.

Kristina Goldhorn (Alice Beane) and Brennan Frame's (Edgar Beane) charming portrayal of a couple who couldn't see eye to eye on their fellow passengers lent several moments of lighthearted comic relief to the production. Brian McAnulla (Captain E.J. Smith) and Jack Williamson (J. Bruce Ismay) effectively conveyed the conflict of their prideful and power hungry characters as they argued over who really was in charge of the Titanic. Additionally, Katie Till (Ida Straus) and Gavin Lewis's (Isidor Straus) bittersweet rendition of "Still" during their final moments reflected the genuine chemistry between the actors.

Beyond the stage, the "Titanic" Marketing Team extended the ambience of the show throughout the school. Their creation of an impressive lobby display featuring a gigantic ship balcony provided an ideal photo opportunity for audience members.

Cardinal O'Hara High School's cast and crew brought the legendary tale of a doomed "floating city" to the stage through their production of "Titanic!"

Grace Willey
Unionville High School
Submitted for publication to The O'Herald

Although Jack and Rose were absent from this tale, Titanic! The Musical at Cardinal O'Hara High School was tragic, yet still bursting with energy.

The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1997, is set on the infamous RMS Titanic. The show follows a number of passengers and crew members, and tells each of their stories from beginning to end. Winning 5 Tony awards, including one for Best Musical, Titanic The Musical has captured the hearts of audience members for decades.

Even though the show has an ominous feeling and a tragic end, the cast did a phenomenal job of keeping their energy levels up throughout the show. Every member of the cast, regardless of the size of their role, was fully invested in their character and the production as a whole. The cast had wonderful chemistry and worked together to pull off a difficult show.

Three actors who truly stood out were Thomas Andrews (Dylan Rooney), J. Bruce Ismay (Jack Williamson), and Captain E. J. Smith (Brian McAnulla). When Rooney, Williamson, and McAnulla sang "The Blame" in the second act the audience was on the edge of their seats. Rooney also stood out in "Mr. Andrew's Vision" portraying such raw despair and anger. Also bringing tremendous talent and energy to the stage were the three Kates, Kate McGowan (Grace Grassi), Kate Mullins (Theresa Arata), and Kate Murphey (Eileen O'Toole). All three of the actresses had beautiful voices, and they played off each other perfectly in every scene they were in. Their energy and occasional humor was refreshing and enjoyable to watch.

The ensemble of about 70 people kept their energy consistent and fitting to each scene; their cohesiveness was one of the strongest parts of the show. Furthermore, there were many standout supporting and featured roles. Specifically, Isidor Straus (Gavin Lewis) and Ida Straus (Katie Till) had the audience in tears when they sang "Still" to each other as the ship went down. Adding humor with his bubbling energy and well-timed comedic relief, Etches (Connell O'Brien) made the audience smile every time he walked on stage. Lastly, there was only one big dance number in the show, but Emily Cratin, one of the dance captains, really stood out in the number.

The set was relatively static, as most of the show takes place on the ship, but the sets were professional looking and added value to the show. Similarly, the costumes and lighting were appropriate and helped audience members to better understand what was happening.

Cardinal O'Hara's production of Titanic! Was well executed and a very memorable production because of the energy and dynamic of the cast.

Giselle Wagner
Unionville High School
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 4

"In every age mankind attempts to fabricate great works at once magnificent and impossible..." The opening lines of Titanic! brought the audience into a dream-- a dream of a ship of steel, a dream of a floating world, a dream that was broken.

Written by Peter Stone and composed by Maury Yeston, the classic American tale of the Titanic follows the story of a floating metropolis meant to sail from England to America in April of 1912. From the building of the RMS Titanic to its tragic ending, this musical highlights the relationships and the lives of those aboard in a fun, yet touching manner.

The talented students of Cardinal O'Hara High School accurately brought to life the plethora of emotions found on deck. Opening to the strong vocals of Dylan Rooney playing Thomas Andrews, the audience was instantly engaged. Following Andrews' song, the introduction of the dynamic personalities of each and every passenger continued to awe those watching.

Being a show following the lives of so many at a time, the company's attempts to keeping the audience relatively on track was impressive. The Beanes, portrayed by Kristina Goldhorn and Brennen Frame, impressed the audience with their on stage chemistry, and the energy and comedic value they added to the show was remarkable. The charming Kate McGowan, played by Grace Grassi, delighted the audience with her capability of touching hearts, her excellent Irish accent, and her endearing vocals, making her abilities a true show stopper. Another notable pairing aboard the RMS Titanic was the loving Straus couple, played by Gavin Lewis and Katie Till. These two portray another couple with strong chemistry; their story and duet, "Still," was chilling, with Ida's vocals being yet another show stopping element.

Other performers to note for their intelligent and captivating choices are Connell O'Brien, who portrayed the flamboyant and quirky Henry Etches, Jimmy McCusker, Rachel Mullen, and Dean Fagioli, as the warm and heartbreaking Thayers, and Kevin Bonnell, who played the loving Frederick Barrett. Although some vocals weren't as crisp as one would hope, the ensemble as a whole was extremely capable of memorable, upbeat, and well choreographed songs, such as "Doing the latest Rag", "The Blame," and the "Finale."

The technological aspects of the show were fascinating, with a moving deck, true-to-time costuming, and excellent makeup. There were quite a few errors with sounds and mics, taking away from the audience's ability to hear the actors deliver their lines, and lengthy scene changes followed most scenes, but this did not take away from the crowd's enjoyment. Overall, the show was well played and commendable for a job well done.