Titanic (play)

Titanic is a musical with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Peter Stone. It is a dramatization of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on its maiden voyage in April 1912.

The musical opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 23, 1997, and closed on March 21, 1999, after 804 performances and 26 previews. Despite initially mixed reviews, Titanic won five Tony Awards in 1997, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Score, Best Scenic Design, and Best Orchestrations.

The narrative of the play differs from the popular James Cameron film Titanic (1997), focusing more on the real-life passengers and crew, their aspirations, and the social dynamics of the era. Characters are based on historical figures, and the plot explores themes of class, ambition, heroism, and human error.

The score of Titanic is characterized by its sweeping orchestrations and soaring melodies, intended to evoke the grandeur of the ship and the tragic scope of the disaster. Notable songs include "Godspeed Titanic," "The First Class Rags," "Still," and "No Moon."

Since its Broadway premiere, Titanic has been produced in numerous regional, national, and international productions, often scaled down to accommodate smaller casts and budgets. These productions often feature different orchestrations and staging choices, while retaining the core story and musical numbers.