Continuing our series of e-interviews about Titanic the Musical (which has its final shows this weekend in Huntington), here's our Q & A with the show's director, my pal Eddie Harbert:
Q: For those who aren't familiar with the show, tell us about Titanic.
Eddie: Titanic tells the story of the people who were on the ship and gives us a glimpse into their lives. The story "humanizes" them. We are reminded that they are people and not just statistics.
Q: This is a huge show - big set, big event. How does that make it challenging for the cast?
Eddie: There are 43 people in the cast. It is challenging just to place all of them on the stage! The biggest challenge for me as a director was to have them board the ship at the beginning. The cast actually start the show by coming in from the back of the audience, coming up the center aisle and climbing the gangway into the ship. Even the Broadway cast did not attempt this feat! I felt that by doing this, it would make the audience feel like part of the show and bring them into the story. I have never started a show with the entire cast in the back of the theatre! They have to walk around from backstage and come up the steps through City Hall to the back. That was certainly different from anything I've done before.
Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?
Eddie: The music attracted me to the show first. I love the music! Then, as I began researching these people lives, I wanted to tell the story of these people and this event. The production team traveled to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., to see the Titanic museum there. It was amazing! We actually saw items from the Titanic. We looked at pictures and saw letters that the victims and survivors wrote. We even placed our hands in water that was the exact temperature as the water was the night the ship went down. That stirred each of us to the point that we really wanted to tell the story of these people and help remember them as the 100th anniversary approaches next year.
Q: What's your favorite part of the show?
Eddie: My favorite part of the show is when the people board the ship. The passengers are all excited about traveling on the largest moving object in the world. The excitement, joy, and expectations each of them has generates a special kind of energy. It is exciting and stirs your heart to see the hope each of them has as they board this very special ship.
Q: Why would you urge our readers to attend?
Eddie: People should attend to learn the historical significance of the ship as well as remember the people who died. It is a cautionary tale to all of us to remember that there are flaws in everything and to embrace each moment of life that we have and cherish our loved ones. We should remember that there truly is no day like today and we should live life to the fullest.
Q: Tell us when and where the show is staged.
Eddie: The show will be staged at the Jean Carlo Stephenson auditorium in City Hall May 6-8. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children. Tickets can be reserved by calling 304-696-5522.
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