UTEP’s Dinner Theater production “Titanic: The Musical” brings history to life and entertains guests with spectacular music, acting, and sound effects.
The setting, costumes and accessories transport guests back in time and make them feel they are in the original Titanic ship.
It’s important to note the performance is not about the James Cameron film “Titanic”; it is based on the original Broadway musical, which premiered in 1997 before the film.
The production is more drama-based and does not include the stereotypical love story. In fact, the characters of Jack and Rose are not even part of the show.
The Tony Award-Winning Musical expresses the final moments of the Titanic’s fateful journey. The ship of dreams travels through history and focuses on telling the hopes and aspirations of the passengers and crew on that fateful and unexpected ending trip.
Over 100 years ago, Titanic, the largest and unsinkable ship, sank after hitting an iceberg on its fourth day of voyage on April 14, 1912.
UTEP’s Titanic production does an excellent job of expressing the faith and struggles of each passenger’s social class. The song “Lady’s Maid,” sang by The Three Kates and third-class passengers in act one, depicts their hopes of the American dream, like becoming an engineer and governess.
Spectators connect with several passengers since the performance does not focus only on one or two characters. Titanic combines each passenger’s story; therefore, it allows guests to relate and emotionally attach themselves to each character.
Alice Beane, a second-class passenger played by Shari Dumond, is the funniest and most light-hearted character throughout the performance. Her obsession with all first-class passengers makes guests share a few laughs because Alice knows everyone’s drama and dreams of interacting with them.
During the show, characters constantly change the scenery, and the different scenarios and costumes transport the audience to the early 1900s.
The sound effects make everyone’s hearts jump, especially after they hit the iceberg and the ship begins to sink. The music connects the audience and sparks their emotions after several couples are separated, and an elderly couple dies together.
After nearly a year and a half that production was postponed, “Titanic: The Musical” exceeded all expectations. The beautiful music, visual effects and cast take viewers through a fantastic historical era.
The show is also dedicated to UTEP President Emeritus Diana Natalicio, Ph.D., who passed away Sept. 24 at the age of 82. The production premiered Friday, Oct. 8, and will continue until Sunday, Oct. 31. UTEP’s Dinner Theater recently announced the show was extended due to popular demand and added three discount dinner performances at 7 p.m., from Oct. 28 to Oct. 30., and one no dinner matinee performance at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31.
A dinner performance ticket includes a three-course dinner for all spectators one hour before the lights go off and the show begins.
The dinner includes chicken lyonnaise, Parmentier potatoes with rosemary, seasoned fresh asparagus, cucumber and tomato salad with lemon vinaigrette, mini croissants, coffee, iced tea, and chocolate eclairs for dessert.
Tickets are available at the UTEP Ticket Center and online at ticketmaster.com. Prices range from $22.50 to $51.50 plus fees, and students can use their valid UTEP ID to receive a student discount.
Victoria Rivas is the entertainment editor and may be reached at [email protected]; @VicRivas_18.
