First, the
Sacramento Press (h/t, John). Note that the reviewer got the name wrong regarding cheer instructors (should be Jenny Plasse and Travis Nagler):
Yes, the ship still hits an iceberg and more than 1,500 souls are lost, but Isaacson has ratcheted up the drama with the aid of enhanced scenic effects (designed by Isaacson and Mark Deamer), including a winch-and-pulley operated 36-by-10-foot platform that reaches a 45-degree angle some 20 feet off the stage.
“Every single scene where it was tilted last time is twice as high,” said Isaacson. “It stretches from the main stage all the way up to the light bars. At one point, actor David Holmes, who plays ship’s designer Thomas Andrews, is literally holding on for his life.”
...“We cover the entire stage,” said Isaacson, who credits carpenter shop lead Michael Karoly for making the magic happen.
...While Isaacson admits that an all-volunteer crew can’t usually outshine a professional, Equity staff, he says he’d lay odds that his troupes – especially his current tech staff, 20-piece orchestra and 55-member cast – equal or even top any local company when it comes to passion and “heart.”
Among the specialty performers Isaacson has tapped for his second voyage with “Titanic” are Jenny Plasse and Doug Barbieri, cheer instructors at University of California, Davis, who have worked with choreographer Jacob Montoya to create a dazzling routine featuring athletic lifts and flips.
And
Bev Sykes' review too!:
There were plenty of things that could go wrong, but nothing did. The technical glitches from last time didn’t materialize, the things that hadn’t worked were eliminated. Everything else worked like clockwork (or if it didn’t, the audience wasn’t aware of problems).
...Among the outstanding performances was Dan Masden as Frederick Barrett, the stoker, who sends his proposal by telegraph home to his sweetheart. His “Barrett’s Song” was a highlight.
Likewise, Amber Jean Moore as Alice, a second-class passenger, wife of Edgar (Scott Griffith), is marvelous as a star-struck woman who longs to rub elbows with the likes of John Jacob Astor (Mark Deamer) or Benjamn Guggenheim (Rich Kulmann).
The always wonderful Marguerite Morris plays two roles, paired with Scott Minor both times, which is a little confusing. As a German couple, Morris and Minor are very moving in their duet “Still.”
A glance at the newspaper reproductions in the lobby will make it obvious that Joel Porter was a perfect choice to play Capt. E.J. Smith. Not only does he resemble him, but he sings the part very well.
Kyle Hadley brings the same life and enthusiasm to the character of Bandmaster Wallace Hartley as he did to Nicely Nicely Johnson in “Guys and Dolls.” His “Doing the Latest Rag” was lots of fun. Kudos to Jacob Montoya for the choreography.
Andy Hyun was wonderful as Charles Clark, headed off to America with his girlfriend (Rebecca Wilson), where they plan to be married.
Jenny Reuter was cute as one of the three Irish Kates headed to America to find jobs as ladies’ maids.
Adam Sartain as Bruce Ismay, the director of the White Star Line, spends the entire voyage angry that the ship isn’t going faster, convinced that there would never be a danger to the passengers. His barely controlled rage was at times a little over the top.
David Holmes is Thomas Andrews, the designer of the ship, so proud as his creation sails off into the North Atlantic, so frustrated when he stands on the tilting deck of the ship, wondering where it all went wrong.
...While the ship Titanic may have sunk 100 years ago, DMTC’s “Titanic: The Musical” will sail effortlessly through the remaining days of its run.
Interesting about the comment regarding Adam's performance. I thought Adam was a bit over the top too, but that was the charm of the performance. How could Adam resist the rich potential of the role? Probably not completely-true to the history, but that's theater for you!
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