Brandon Twp.- Deborah Wolfe-Sebetic faced some challenges when she chose Brandon High School’s latest production, ‘Titanic: The Musical.?
There is no water on the set, the hand-crafted ship doesn’t actually tilt, and tenors? a major vocal component in the musical? were in short supply. Still, she was undeterred.
‘I’d been thinking about this for a long time,? said Wolfe-Sebetic, the BHS musical director. ‘I wanted to do something big and exciting and different. I’ve never seen the musical, but I’ve seen the movie several times.?
However, the musical is not based on the movie at all. Close to 80 cast members in grades 3-12 sing almost every word while telling the story of the ship that struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912 and sank. More than 1,500 passengers and crew perished in the disaster.
‘The students are learning about a very historic event,? said Wolfe-Sebetic. ‘You forget what an impact this was. They didn’t realize how many people lost their lives and how horrible it was. They learn about characters, icebergs, ship construction? it’s like a history lesson. Some people ask, ‘Why would you do a musical about a horror??, but it’s history and the music is beautiful.?
The production is comprised of 31 songs, which Wolfe-Sebetic describes as very rich and memorable. Some of her favorite tunes include ‘The Blame,? and ‘How did they build the Titanic??
Characters in the musical include Isadore and Ida Strauss, portrayed by sophomore Philip Reed and freshman Nicole Ladd. The Strausses were a couple who had been married 40 years. When the ship began sinking, the limited lifeboats were to be given to women and children first, and Ida Strauss chose to remain with her husband as the ship went down.
‘I think she stands up for what she wants,? said Ladd. ‘She has a lot of pride and is very determined.?
The cast as a whole showed a lot of determination in bringing ‘Titanic: The Musical? to the stage. Many students battled respiratory flu and strep throat through weeks of rehearsal and they also had to develop their singing range, but Wolfe-Sebetic believes audiences will enjoy the production. Josh Cornea, a junior who plays the part of Captain E.J. Smith, agreed.
‘It catches your emotions,? he said. ‘It will literally make you cry. There are great costumes and dancing and great actors, too.?
Matt Yettaw, sophomore, plays the role of Frederick Barrett, a crewmember.
‘I learned dedication doing this and learned a lot more about the personalities of the people involved, their lives and who they were,? he said. ‘I think (audiences) will really take to the story overall.?