The Story

The Story

Each story told is the TRUTH.  Don’t mistake this story for the movie.  Just as history reveals there is no Rose or Jack—there never was.  While being interviewed, James Cameron (director of the popular film) stated that there is no historic tie to those characters, there was no historical background---they are fictional characters.  However, in Titanic the musical all of the characters are REAL.  Each character is a  historical figure or compliations thereof. 

Act 1

Titanic's designer, Thomas Andrews marvels at the wondrous things mankind has accomplished ("In Every Age"); the RMS Titanic tops his list of things once thought impossible. Stoker Fred Barret arrives at the dock in Southampton, amazed by the feat of engineering that lay before him ("How Did They Build Titanic?"). He is joined by Lookout Frederick Fleet and wireless telegraph operator Harold Bride, and they gaze in awe at the "Ship of Dreams" ("There She Is") as the crew arrives. J. Bruce Ismay, Andrews, and Captain E. J. Smith congratulate each other on being the owner, designer, and captain of "The Largest Moving Object" in the world. The ship's passengers arrive—the Third and Second Class passengers feel privileged to be aboard the maiden voyage of the grandest ship ever to sail ("I Must Get on that Ship"). The First Class passengers arrive; their names and achievements are narrated by Second Class passenger Alice Beane ("First Class Roster"). Titanic sets sail, and the assembled company wishes her a safe crossing ("Godspeed Titanic").

Now at sea, Ismay arrives on the bridge to inform Smith that he plans for Titanic to arrive in New York on Tuesday afternoon rather than Wednesday morning, while Andrews insists that the maiden voyage be a safe one. As they've cleared land, Smith allows her speed to be increased slightly. Barret, in the boiler room, disagrees with the order on such a new ship, but nonetheless complies ("Barrett's Song").

In Second Class, Alice Beane longs for the grandeur that is First Class, while her husband Edgar, a successful hardware store owner, is content with their station. Charles Clarke, who is traveling to America to become a journalist, travels with his fiancee Caroline Neville. Caroline's father doesn't approve of the engagement, so they are eloping to America. In First Class, the titans of industry recount the accomplishments that man has recently achieved, Titanic, of course, being the grandest ("What a Remarkable Age this Is!"). In steerage, three Irish lasses—each named Kate—Kate McGowan, Kate Mullins, Kate Murphey dream with the rest of Third Class of the opportunities that await in America ("Lady's Maid"). Kate McGowan is smitten with a young man traveling with them, Jim Farrell and her new girl friends encourage her. 

As the voyage continues, Ismay demands increasingly more speed, so Titanic can build up a good reputation. Capt. Smith complies despite Andrews' objections and warnings of icebergs in their course. Smith hails 1st Officer Murdoch's qualities, deeming him ready to assume a command of his own, but Murdoch feels he is not yet ready to handle the responsibilities of the job ("To Be a Captain").

In the wireless room, Bride is overwhelmed by the passenger's personal messages to be sent, though he finds time to handle Barrett's proposal to his girlfriend ("The Proposal/The Night Was Alive").

On Sunday morning, the First Class attends religious services ("God Lift Me Up").  Charles and Caroline escape their troubles momentarily to sing the "The Latest Rag" while enjoying a beautiful morning on deck. Alice Beane has managed to infiltrate their ranks, though she is shooed away several times by an alert steward. Edgar finds her and the two argue over their lifestyle choices ("I Have Danced"). As evening draws near, the temperature drops, and lookout Fleet finds the weather conditions difficult for spotting icebergs ("No Moon"). On deck, Kate McGowan tells Farrell that she needs to marry as she is carrying the child of a married man, and he accepts. Elderly passengers Isidor and Ida Straus discuss their plans for the years to come.  Charles and Caroline plan for their new lives in America, while Charlotte Drake Cardoza scandalizes the First Class men by joining them for cards in the First Class Smoke Room ("Autumn").

Suddenly, Fleet spots an iceberg and alerts the bridge. Murdoch takes evasive action, but Titanic strikes the berg.

Act 2

The stewards begin waking the confused passengers, while they themselves do not have much information ("Wake Up, Wake Up"). Capt. Smith arrives on the bridge and is briefed on the situation. He orders all passengers to put on life vests, for Bride to begin sending distress messages, and for Andrews to inspect the damage. Andrews informs Smith and Ismay that the damage inflicted is more than the ship is designed to endure and that the ship will sink, reminding them that there are only enough lifeboats for less than half of the people aboard.

In the First Class Dining Salon, passengers refuse to believe that anything is wrong with the ship and are annoyed at being awakened in the middle of the night ("Dressed in Your Pyjamas in the Grand Salon"). Crew members are assuring them that there is no reason to panic. No one is aware of the ship's growing peril until a food cart rolls on its own, showing the ship's growing list. All the passengers and crew members quickly hurry to the lifeboats.

In Third Class, the three Kates and Farrell attempt to find a way up to boat deck, but are unable to until assisted by Barrett ("The Staircase"). Capt. Smith arrives in the radio room where Bride informs him that only the Carpathia is near enough to help, but is unable to arrive until after the Titanic has sunk. Smith, Andrews, and Ismay argue over responsibility for the disaster ("The Blame").

Women and children are ordered into the lifeboats, while the men are forced to stay behind ("To the Lifeboats"). Murdoch orders Fleet and Barrett into the last lifeboat to help man the oars, but Barrett doesn't know how to row a boat and lets Farrell, who can row, into the boat instead. Barrett bids farewell to his absent girlfriend while the rest of the passengers do the same to their loved ones ("We'll Meet Tomorrow").

As the last of the lifeboats depart, those remaining accept their fate. Isidor and Ida Straus, the latter of whom had refused leave her husband behind, affirm their long-lasting love for one another ("Still"). Andrews, in the First Class Smoke Room, obsesses over Titanic's plans, redesigning her and visualizing the final moments of the souls left aboard as the ship sinks beneath the waves("Mr. Andrews' Vision").

In the wee hours of the morning, the survivors are rescued by the Carpathia. Many of them recount the tragedy of Titanic, mourning the loss of man and ship. Bride and Ismay, along with several of the survivors, discuss the possibilities that could have prevented the disaster ("The Foundering"). The survivors express hope that they will one day be reunited with their lost loved ones and abandoned dreams ("In Every Age/Finale").