Titanic
at Oakton High School

Reviewed on May 4, 2018

Anna Krelovich
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

A man parades on stage holding blueprints for a "floating metropolis," boasting it is the "perfection of physical engineering;" however, only the audience knows the truth of what tragedy is yet to come for this ill-famed steamer in Oakton High School's production of Titanic.

Opening in 1997, Titanic features a book by Peter Stone and music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. The musical won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score, and ran for nearly two years before closing in 1999. Set on the infamous RMS Titanic, which sank on its 1912 maiden voyage, Titanic tells the stories of those on board the "unsinkable" steamer.

As Thomas Andrews, the designer and builder of the ship, Parker Waters was strong-willed and full of integrity. Waters' recognition of his faults in the construction of the steamer was harrowing, ending in the gut-wrenching "Mr. Andrews' Vision," all while showcasing an astounding tenor. The caring, serious captain of the boat, E.J. Smith, was played by Diego Maldonado, whose fatherly presence commanded attention. Constantly edging him on was Liam Klopfenstein as owner of the Titanic, J. Bruce Ismay. Klopfenstein misguidedly insisted on constantly increasing the speed of the steamer, concerned only about the reputation of the boat. The three were haunted by the thought of causing the accident, culminating in the hectic "The Blame."

Scruffy stoker Barrett, played by Maxwell Branciforte, displayed incredible vocal talent, expressing concern for the speed of the steamer in "Barrett's Song." His adorable proposal to his girlfriend via telegram showed his vulnerability, while his giving up a seat on a lifeboat showed his strength and sympathy. Lindsey Jacobson was the classy Caroline Neville, running away to America to elope with the ambitious Charles Clark (Jonathan Geerdes.) Jacobson's beautiful soprano stunned in the adorable duet "I Give You My Hand" and the heartbreaking goodbye "We'll Meet Tomorrow." Third class passengers "The Three Kates" (Shiva Zarean, Cassie Wiltse, Carolyn Best) were hopeful of a greater life as they boarded the prestigious steamer, each musing on their dreams of America in the upbeat "Lady's Maid." The entire ensemble touted stunningly operatic voices, dazzling in the harmonious "Godspeed Titanic."

Simple white fencing was able to move around the stage to create different places on the deck of the Titanic, while a gold chandelier distinguished first class from third. The orchestra's talent could not be surpassed, almost constantly playing with impressive professionalism. A student-run fly system created the gorgeous yet heartbreaking image of passengers drowning, with five travelers floating limp next to disregarded portraits and abandoned dolls.

It would seem as though a musical about one of the world's most tragic stories would be destined to be a failure, but with remarkable vocalists and heart-wrenching dramatic actors, Oakton High School's production of Titanic is anything but.

Diana Witt
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Wide eyes marvel at a magnificent ship unlike any of its kind, and crowds of all classes flock for the opportunity to embark on the maiden voyage. All aboard to see Oakton High School's production of Titanic! With poignant emotional moments, impressive vocal talent, and stunning technical aspects, Oakton's rich retelling of the historical event was truly "a chance for once in a lifetime."

Inspired by the true events of the 1912 sunken ship, Titanic is a musical by Peter Stone, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. The Broadway production opened in 1997 and garnered five Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical. Called "unsinkable," the Titanic was a spectacular steamship, stronger, faster, and grander than any other ships of the early 1900s. People from all walks of life gathered to delight in the splendor of the ship and voyage to America. When tragedy struck, the passengers and boat staff scrambled to save the lives that they once knew. Titanic offers diverse perspectives to the devastating event, while revealing the universality of humanity.

The entire cast adopted clear and divergent personas, while working together as a cohesive ensemble. Clearly defining class lines, the ensemble displayed remarkable commitment to their roles. With seamless harmonies and beautifully blending voices, the cast exhibited vocal prowess in melodic musical numbers.

Parker Waters portrayed the Titanic's designer and builder, Thomas Andrews. Truly a pioneer of his time, Waters emanated pride as the successful innovator. His celebration of accomplishments quickly faded as the impending danger approached, and he developed pangs of guilt. Waters showcased a bold belting voice in his touching showstopper "Mr. Andrew's Vision." As the stoker, Frederick Barrett, Maxwell Branciforte expressed a longing for a better life outside the grim, dirty boiler room. Having left his fiancée behind on land, he tenderly revealed the heartache of separation at sea.

As newly engaged lovers Charles and Caroline, Jonathan Geerdes and Lindsey Jacobson developed a believable and adorable relationship aboard the Titanic. The duo excellently conveyed the anguish of lost love, as Caroline tearfully flees to the lifeboats. Jacobson boasted a gorgeous soprano voice in many standout solos. Shiva Zarean embodied pregnant third-class passenger, Kate McGowan. Dreaming of a joyful future for her baby, she brightened her predicament with her aspiring spirit. Along with Kate Mullins (Cassie Wiltse) and Kate Murphey (Carolyn Best), the destitute women radiated hope in their inspiring number "Lady's Maid."

Brilliant technical effects invited the audience to experience the nautical journey aboard the steamer. The set design by Diego Maldonado, JD Mayer, Jack Griggs, and Simon Todd perfectly captured the grandeur of the massive ship. A variety of set pieces distinguished each of the class decks, from the ornate staircase of the first-class saloon to the simple and plain pieces of the third-class deck. The stage crew deftly swept the heavy set pieces off the stage in swift transitions. The special effects team (JD Mayer, Jack Griggs, Diego Maldonado) implemented a fly system, adding a jaw-dropping element to chilling scenes. As the water overtook the ship, the passengers floated against a striking blue cyclorama, ebbing and flowing with the ocean waves.

As the survivors are rescued by a passing ship, they remember the vibrant history of those whose lives were lost. Oakton High School honored the history of the luxurious steamer in their unsinkable production of Titanic.

Muntaha Haq
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

The Titanic: a melting pot of the elitists, the dreamers, and the forgotten. Claiming a ship is "unsinkable" is asking for trouble, and in this harrowing story between man and nature, trouble is exactly what the passengers of the Titanic get.

Titanic, the Musical, written by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone, first debuted on Broadway in 1997. Based on the tragedy of the Titanic, the show was an immediate success and nominated for numerous awards. Oakton High School's interpretation was both ambitious and brilliant.

Oakton transported the audience to 1912, to the luxurious beginning of a new world just before tragedy struck. The set pieces were incredibly realistic and successful in capturing the enormity of what the Titanic represented. Despite a few difficulties with the sound, the technical effects were executed nearly professionally. The acting was phenomenal. Cast members truly committed to portraying their characters and breaking every heart in the audience.

Although all characters were well-executed, Thomas Andrews (Parker Waters), Murdoch (Ian Matthews), and Captain E.J. Smith (Diego Maldonado) were exceptional. It was all too easy to forget that this was a high school stage and not the deck of an unsinkable ship when watching these three men perform.

However, fan favorites Alice (Julia Ferri) and Edgar Bean (Jake Trible) kept the audience in stitches with hilarious but undeniably sweet antics. Not to be overshadowed, was the handsome Frederick Barrett (Maxwell Branciforte), whose singing was as heartfelt as it was heartbreaking.

The utilization of lights and live music from the orchestra heightened every moment. However, it was the use of chords in lifting the actors that left the audience astounded. The scene in which all the passengers had drowned and were floating in water was nothing short of remarkable.

Oakton High School's Titanic was a must-see performance. The show was emotionally turbulent yet simultaneously hilarious. The cast and crew alike were incredibly talented and dedicated in delivering a flawless show. Despite the difficult nature of the script, Oakton truly out-performed themselves.

Sarah Bourgeois
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

A brilliant architect marvels at the glory of the unsinkable ship he designed as it gracefully docks, excitedly anticipating its maiden voyage in Oakton High School's poignant rendition of Titanic the Musical.

Titanic the Musical was written by Peter Stone, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. The show opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 23, 1997, closing in March of 1999 after 804 performances. Titanic the Musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. The show won all five Tony Awards for which it was nominated, as well as a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations.

The plot follows a groundbreaking ship called Titanic as it makes its first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. As the ship's owner, captain, and designer discuss the magnificence of the ship, the owner demands that the ship's speed be increased to record-breaking proportions. While sailing through freezing waters at incredibly high speeds, chaos ensues for the passengers and staff alike as Titanic meets a devastating fate.

Mr. Andrews, designer and builder of Titanic, was portrayed by Parker Waters with impeccable commitment to the role. While he dangled from a fly system to convey floating through water, Waters' maintained the physicality of a respectable man, as he did throughout the performance. Titanic's owner and captain were expertly portrayed by Liam Klopfenstein and Diego Maldonado, respectively. Maldonado's mature wisdom and Klopfenstein's high-and-mighty attitude made for a distinctive contrast to Waters' integrity while they fought over who was at fault for Titanic's failure in "The Blame." Their domineering vocals greatly enhanced the intensity of the show.

Maxwell Branciforte portrayed Barrett, a stoker, with a strong will while displaying a softer love for the girlfriend he left behind to work aboard Titanic. As he sent a message of undying love to her with the help of radioman Harold Bride, portrayed by Joe Malone, hope and admiration twinkled in his eyes. While the two astounding vocalists sang "The Proposal/ The Night Was Alive," Branciforte and Malone's empowering vocal ability flourished as their voices and characterizations complimented one another throughout the performance. The passengers of Titanic consistently maintained high energy and graceful vocals in songs like "I Must Get On That Ship."

White metal railings were effectively utilized to convey different locations on the ship by rearranging where they stood. From the starboard bow to the head of the ship, the railings clearly differentiated between places on Titanic. An intricate flight system was used alongside vibrant, deep blue lights to display actors floating through water. A portrait, book, and suitcase were also seen adrift in the ocean to add to the lost feeling of the characters.

The exceptional cast and crew of Oakton High School's production of Titanic left the tear-stained audience waving "Godspeed Titanic."

Winta Habtemichael
Robert E. Lee High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

52,310 tons, more than four city blocks, and one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. We as a society are fascinated by the Titanic, but what about it keeps us coming back to its story? Maury Yeston and Peter Stone's Titanic illuminates exactly what fascinates us about this incredible event.

Winner of five Tony awards in 1997, Titanic focuses on the passengers and crew as a whole, rather than on individual stories. Dramatic irony is used throughout the first act; as the audience marvels at the grandeur of the ship, we know in the back of our minds how it all ends, adding a feeling of anticipation. The audience follows different groups in a series of vignettes: the three Kates in 3rd class (played by Shiva Zarean, Cassie Wiltse, and Carolyn Best), Alice and Edgar Beane in 2nd class (played by Julia Ferri and Jake Trible), and Isidor and Ida Straus in 1st class. They, along with the rest of the cast and crew of Oakton's production of Titanic, took us back to 1912 and let us experience the event for ourselves.

One breakout star in Oakton's Titanic was none other than Parker Waters, portraying the role of Thomas Andrews, the designer of the Titanic. In high school theatre, the level of maturity and pure vocal skill Waters demonstrates comes few and far between. From the first scene, he carries himself as a bookish yet passionate man. We see him gaze with pride at this marvel he's created, singing with strength, and watch it turn to horror when it all goes to hell. His voice follows this pattern as well, his voice trembling and taking on a panicked note. The flexibility of this actor was something to marvel at all on its own.

Behind the scenes, the tech of this production elevated Titanic to a level that once seemed unattainable for high school theatre, specifically the SFX put on display in the second act. Through the work of the fly crew, actors were able to be suspended above the stage, giving the impression of passengers falling off of the railing of the ship, or floating lifelessly. A hush went through the audience during the drowning of Andrews, and gasps rang out when other actors came floating in among children's dolls and treasured paintings. The use of the fly system was absolutely beautiful, and brought the scene to a haunting level.

Overall, Titanic was an absolutely beautiful production, with vocals and tech that transformed the Oakton auditorium into the "ship of dreams." Oakton created an experience that cannot be topped easily and set a new expectation for high school theatre.

Jane Kearns
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Connection

The Titanic: everyone knows what tragically happened to the ship, but only a few know more than that. Titanic the Musical, based on the book written by Peter Stone and music and lyrics written by Maury Yeston, received three Tony Awards and ran for 804 performances. It explores the lives of many passengers aboard the ship, going into their relationships, their flaws, and their aspirations. Oakton High School's production of the powerfully emotional musical truly brought the horrific events to life through an extremely talented cast and crew.

Throughout the show, many lives of the souls on board of that doomed ship were developed onstage, creating a personal, unforgettable experience for the audience. Thomas Andrews (Parker Waters), the designer of the ship, showed a large character arc from proudly opening his ship to the public, to raging about what he could have done to keep the Titanic from sinking. Waters' powerful vocals and committed character work were beautifully displayed, especially during the heart-wrenching song, "Mr. Andrews' Vision." Another character that shone on stage was Frederick Barrett (Maxwell Branciforte), one of the stokers who fueled the Titanic's powerful boilers. His stunning, moving vocals guided the audience through his personal life as they learned about his fears that the ship was going too fast and the strong love he felt for his soon-to-be fiance at home. Branciforte's spot-on character choices drew the audience into his life, and they laughed and cried alongside him. Yet another strong character in the musical was the radio operator, Harold Bride (Joe Malone.) His character was brought to a dramatic climax at the end that brought tears to the eyes of the audience, as they experienced his frustration and loss of control over the drastic situation. His on-pitch, engaging vocals also guided the audience through the story.

Alice Beane (Julia Ferri) was a second class passenger obsessed with the first class, and she added some much needed comedic moments that relieved the stressful tension. Her perfect comedic timing, paired with hilarious facial expressions, made her a well-loved character. Henry Etches (Liam Bloom) also added moments of laughter through his energetic character and quirky movements. Caroline Neville (Lindsey Jacobson) had a beautiful voice that moved the audience as they learned about her story and quest for love. One of the strongest characters was the third-class passenger Kate McGowan (Shiva Zarean.) Zarean showed true commitment to her character, never losing her spot-on Irish accent or lacking in emotion.

The show's use of an impressively accurate set, props, and costumes truly brought the show to life, making it as authentic as possible. The use of projections to create the illusion of stars and water, paired with a flying rig, had a very dramatic and realistic effect. The audience was easily brought into every emotional moment not only because of that, but because of the incredible student orchestra that perfectly performed each song. The makeup was subtle and accurate for each performer, especially the captain's. Every little detail in the show was well-tended to, making for a moving performance.

Overall, Titanic the Musical was a beautiful show impeccably performed by an accomplished cast and crew. Every single member of the cast was extremely committed, and none of them was lacking in emotion. Each song told a story through amazing vocals and simple, yet effective, choreography. The tragic story was wonderfully told, and the audience laughed, gasped, and cried through every heart-stopping moment.

Caroline Alpi
H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

We all know the story of the Titanic, the "unsinkable" ship that collided with an iceberg on its maiden voyage from England to New York in 1912. However, the story behind Titanic: The Musical is not as familiar, and it shares a heartbreaking tale of the passengers and crew aboard the ship Titanic and the divide among the class systems that eventually became a factor in the ship's destruction.

When the musical first premiered on Broadway in 1997, it was nominated for five Tony Awards and took home the award for all five of its nominated categories, including Best Musical. The show has been praised for its unusual subject and complicated musical score, and the cast and crew from Oakton High School rose to this challenge to deliver an impressive performance of Titanic: The Musical.

The lively number "Lady's Maid," sung by the third-class passengers and featuring the small ensemble of three Irish women, all named Kate, demonstrated the cast's ability to work together as an ensemble with high energy and spirit. The set for the third class passengers had distinct contrast to that of the first class saloon.

In "The Proposal / The Night Was Alive," Joe Malone (Harold Bride) shined in his performance as the ship's radioman, singing of his love for his connection with the world through his job. Maxwell Branciforte (Frederick Barrett) matched Malone's commitment to character and flawless vocal tone as he asked him to send a message proposing to a woman back home. The duo worked in perfect tandem to create a blend between their individual melodies, and the orchestra kept up excellently with the complicated score, mimicking the morse code messages as Bride typed them out on his telegraph.

When the rule "women and children first" separated husbands from their wives as the women boarded the lifeboats in "We'll Meet Tomorrow," the many subplots and distinct characterizations of the ensemble of passengers was highlighted. The talented soprano Lindsey Jacobson (Caroline Neville) was separated from Jonathan Geerdes (Charles Clark), whose eyes never left her lifeboat. The ship's captain, played by Diego Maldonado, maintained his rigid physicality but explored the captain's great emotional turmoil as he watched the limited number of lifeboats depart. The set design featured lifeboats that were rowed down the aisles by the cast as they waved a tearful goodbye to those left on the ship.

Parker Waters (Thomas Andrews) stole the show in "Mr. Andrews' Vision," a powerful number showcasing his impressive vocal ability and the moment of breakdown for his character, which he had been escalating towards throughout the production. At the end of the song Mr. Andrews, along with other cast members, were hoisted into the air by a flying machine and lay limp against the stark blue lighting to reveal that they were floating at the bottom of the ocean.

Oakton High School showcased the wonderful talent of both cast and crew in an emotional and ambitious production of Titanic: The Musical.