30 Jul 2024

You'll Love Them More: Cast Confirmed for Australian Premiere of Splash Hit Musical Titanique

YOU’LL LOVE THEM MORE: CAST CONFIRMED FOR AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE OF SPLASH HIT MUSICAL TITANIQUE

EXCLUSIVE SYDNEY SEASON TO BE TITANIQUE’S FIRST PRODUCTION OUTSIDE NEW YORK

Click here for images and vision of the original New York production

“TITANIQUE IS F*CKING GREAT.”

Vulture

“VERY FUNNY! A camp reimagining of the Titanic film that cranks the Céline-o-meter ALL THE WAY UP.”

New York Times

“Titanique is the greatest piece of theater I have ever seen!”

The Daily Beast

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Producers Michael Cassel and Eva Price today confirmed the ‘kooky krazy’ cast who will set sail aboard the award-winning splash hit TITANIQUE when it makes its Australian premiere exclusively in Sydney at The Grand Electric from 12 September 2024.

The irresistibly funny and irreverent send-up of the blockbuster film Titanic, driven by the songs of pop icon Céline Dion, TITANIQUE has become one of New York’s most sought after tickets. Tickets for the Sydney season are on sale now at titaniquemusical.com.au.

Inserting herself directly in the narrative as Céline Dion is music theatre and cabaret legend Marney McQueen who will share her very short, 90-minute story of her journey on the Titanic. Drew Weston will play the dreamer Jack Dawson opposite Georgina Hopson as the sweet ingenue Rose Dewitt Bukater while Australian stage and screen darling Matt Lee plays Victor Garber. Stephen Anderson also joins the company as Rose’s overbearing mother Ruth, along with Keane Sheppard-Fletcher as Rose’s lover Cal and Abigail Dixon making her professional debut as The ‘Unsinkable’ Molly Brown. Fresh from Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Abu Kebe will play The Iceberg.

Joining them on The Ship of Dreams for this unforgettable camp fantasia are Jenni Little, Trent Owers, Artemis Alfonzetti, Matthew Predny and Tyran Stig.

 

TITANIQUE’s director Tye Blue said: “I am trembling with anticipation to go launch the very first international production of TITANIQUE in Australia. Over the course of the last few months, the fabulous folks at Michael Cassel's office have helped me assemble a dazzling coterie stacked with true Aussie musical theatre glitterati, and I cannot WAIT to share these mind-blowing stars with the world.  The comedy chops - top tier.  The VOCALS - GIRL!! Let's just say the Grand Electric may want to re-enforce those rafters ASAP.  Sydney is simply not ready. But I am!”

When the music of Céline Dion makes sweet Canadian love with the eleven-time Oscar Award-winning blockbuster film Titanic, you get TITANIQUE, off-Broadway’s most award-winning splash hit, which turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical musical fantasia. Want to find out what really happened to Jack and Rose on that fateful night? Just leave it to Céline Dion to enchant the audience with her totally wild take, recharting the course of Titanic’s beloved moments and characters with her iconic song catalogue. Sailing on fierce powerhouse voices in show-stopping performances of such hits as My Heart Will Go On, All By Myself, and To Love You More – backed by the unparalleled energy of a full live band – TITANIQUE is a one-of-a-kind theatrical voyage bursting with nostalgia, heart, and campy chaos.

Co-written by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue, TITANIQUE celebrated its off-Broadway premiere in June 2022 at Asylum Theater, starring the musical’s co-authors Mindelle (Sister Act, Netflix’s Special) and Rousouli (Cruel Intentions, Hairspray) as Céline Dion and Jack Dawson.

After several sold-out extensions, the musical transferred to the Daryl Roth Theatre on 20 November, 2022 where it continues to play to packed houses. TITANIQUE became such a hit with audiences that new productions will soon play Toronto, Montreal and London.

Sydney will be TITANIQUE’s exclusive Australian berth through support from the NSW Government via its events agency Destination NSW.

TITANIQUE is directed by Tye Blue (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Rumer Willis’ Over the Love Tour), and choreographed by Ellenore Scott (Funny Girl, Little Shop of Horrors), Orchestrations, Arrangements and Original Music Supervision are by IRNE Award-Winner Nicholas James Connell. Scenic Design for TITANIQUE in Sydney is by Gabriel Hainer Evansohn and Grace Laubacher for Iron Bloom Creative Production; Original Costume Design is by Alejo Vietti; Original Lighting Design is by Paige Seber with Lighting Design Adapted by Kathy Pineo; Original Sound Design is by Lawrence Schober; with Sound Design Adapted by David Tonion and Hair and Wig Design is by Kylie Clarke.

TITANIQUE’s storied history includes a smash hit live-streamed concert – Titanique: The Maiden Voyage Concert – on the premium streaming service Stellar, on 2 May 2021, which followed sold-out pop-up concert engagements in Los Angeles and New York, earning the show a 2019 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award. TITANIQUE won seven major awards of the 2022-23 theatre season, including three Lucille Lortel Awards (Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lead Performer: Marla Mindelle, Outstanding Costume Design: Alejo Vietti), the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical, Las Culturistas’ Culture Award for Best Indoor Performance, and two Dorian Awards (Outstanding Off-Broadway Production, Outstanding Off-Broadway Performance: Marla Mindelle). The show earned an additional nine award nominations, including two 2023 Drama League Award nominations (Outstanding Musical; Distinguished Performance: Marla Mindelle), two Outer Critics Circle Award nominations (Book of a Musical, Lead Performer: Marla Mindelle), two Lortel Award nominations (Choreography, Featured Performer: John Riddle), and a Drama Desk Award nomination (Book of a Musical).

“This show is the FUNNIEST shit I’ve ever seen.”

Las Culturistas

“★★★★! A titanic amount of pure joy.”

New York Theatre Guide

“YOU'RE GUARANTEED TO LAUGH YOUR ICEBERG OFF”

People Magazine

“Titanique hits the mark – and is, by a nautical mile, the funniest musical in town!”

New York Post

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Michael Cassel and Eva Price 
present
Titanique
The Grand Electric
199 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills 2016
From 12 September 2024
titaniquemusical.com.au

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FOR ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT

Nathanael Cooper

• Director, Publicity
• Michael Cassel Group
• Mobile: +61 474 751 247
• nathanael.cooper@michaelcassel.com

Tammy Hofbauer

• Senior Publicist
• Michael Cassel Group
• Mobile: +61 416 221 160
• tammy.hofbauer@michaelcassel.com

Felicity Clifford

• Publicist
• Michael Cassel Group
• Mobile: +61 408 014 209
• felicity.clifford@michaelcassel.com

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CAST BIOS

Marney McQueen (she/her) – Céline Dion

• Training: NIDA, Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Acting)
• Theatre: Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (Paul Dainty Entertainment); Marion in Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical (Priscilla On Stage); Nina in Dream Lover - the Bobby Darin Musical (GFO); Princess Zeena in Moonshadow (Sue Farelly Productions); Stepmother/Cinderella's Mother in Into the Woods (Belvoir); Sir John Kerr in The Dismissal (Squabbalogic); Shelley in Scarlett O'Hara at the Crimson Parrot (MTC); Patti in The Give & Take (STC & MTC)
• Television: Chantelle Pennington in Neighbours (Fremantle Media); Charlie in Last Man Standing (Burberry Productions); Linda in The Pet Killer (Deadhouse Films); Home and Away (Channel Seven); Bogan Pride (SBS); The Wedge (Network Ten); The Chinaboy Show (ABC)
• Film: Deb in The Mule (4Cows); The Empress in Maya the Bee: The Honey Games (Studio 100 Media); Gwendoline in Matching Jack (Cascade Films)
• Concerts & Events: Rosa Waxoffski in Rosa Waxes Lyrical, Red Hot and Rosa, Hair to the Throne (Melbourne International Comedy Festival/Edinburgh Fringe Festival)
• Other: Host, Sydney Theatre Awards 2022 & 2023
• Instagram: @marneymcqueen

Stephen Anderson (he/him) – Ruth

• Training: National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), Music Theatre, 2006.
• Theatre: Park Keeper/Northbrook in Mary Poppins (Michael Cassel Group); Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Crossroads Live); Father Alex in Mamma Mia! (Louise Withers and Associates); Sergei in Matilda the Musical (Royal Shakespeare Company); Mendel in Falsettos (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); The Housekeeper in Man of La Mancha (Squabbalogic); Giuseppe in The Light in the Piazza (NIDA); Frog in A Year with Frog and Toad (Ensemble Theatre); Florindo in The Venetian Twins (New Theatre); Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors (New Theatre); Mark in DNA (The Old Fitz); The Gruffalo (CDP Theatre Producers); The Gruffalo’s Child (CDP Theatre Producers); Room on the Broom (CDP Theatre Producers).
• Television: Rupert Murdoch in Whitlam: The Power and the Passion (ABC).
• Awards: Sydney Theatre Award Nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical – Falsettos (2014).
• Other: Writer and Director of My Vagabond Boat (Adelaide Cabaret Festival) and Don’t Hate Us Because We’re Good (Melbourne Fringe Festival).

Abigail Dixon (she/her) – Molly Brown

• Training: Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Griffith University), Bachelor of Musical Theatre, 2021.
• This is Abigail’s professional theatre debut.
• Theatre: Pontia Pilates in Christ Almighty: A Comedy of Biblical Proportions (Tommy James Green); Ensemble/Rosie Understudy in Mamma Mia! (The Show Co).
• Film: Sal in Bad Spirits (Wagtail Films).
• Commercials: Just Better Care; KFC.
• Concerts & Events: Thirsty Thursdays (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); International Women’s Day Performance for Suzy Miller.
• Abigail is a proud member of the MEAA since 2021.
• Instagram: @abigaildixon.mt

Georgina Hopson (she/her) – Rose Dewitt Bukater

• Training: Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Griffith University), Bachelor of Music (Major in Musical Theatre), 2014.
• Theatre: Karen in Bananaland (Brisbane Festival); Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera (HANDA Opera on Sydney Harbour, Opera Australia); MJ Alternate in Jagged Little Pill (GWB Entertainment); Lorelei in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; Emma in Jekyll and Hyde (Hayes Theatre Company); Gussie in Merrily We Roll Along (Hayes Theatre Company); Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain (Prospero Arts); Mother in Ragtime (The Production Company); Oklahoma! (The Production Company); Evita (Opera Australia); My Fair Lady (Opera Australia/GFO); Nurse/Harriet in Sunday in the Park with George (Watch This); Cinderella in Into the Woods (Harvest Rain); Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Harvest Rain).
• Television: Bump (Roadshow Rough Diamond); Doctor Doctor (Easy Tiger); Wendy Hogan in Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story (Fremantle Media).
• Concerts & Events: Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration of Olivia Newton-John (MSO/Make My Mark); To Barbra with Love (MSO/Make My Mark); Opera Up Late (Opera Australia); The Golden Age of Broadway (Sydney Philharmonia Choirs).
• Awards: Green Room Award Winner for Best Performance in a Lead Role – Ragtime; Sydney Theatre Award Nomination for Best Performance in a Supporting Role – Merrily We Roll Along; Rob Guest Endowment Award Winner – 2017; Matilda Award Winner for Best Emerging Artist – Into the Woods/Pirates of Penzance.
• Georgina is a proud member of the MEAA since 2016.
• Instagram: @georginahopson

Abu Kebe (he/they) – The Seaman/Iceberg

• Theatre: Lola in Kinky Boots (Spotlight Theatrical Company); Ahmed in Norm & Ahmed (Civic Theatre); Junior in Choirboy (Riverside Theatre); Ronnie/Raymond Understudy (TEG Dainty)
• Awards & Nominations: Best Ensemble - Choirboy; Best Production for Young People – Choirboy
• Instagram: @theabukebe

Matt Lee (he/him) – Victor Garber/Luigi

• Training: Brent Street.
• Theatre: Grease: The Arena Spectacular; Rent; Miss Saigon; The Boy From Oz; We Will Rock You; David in Rags (Opera Australia); Slide in Hot Shoe Shuffle (David Atkins Enterprise); Michael Spofford in The Witches of Eastwick (Cameron Mackintosh Productions); Bert in Mary Poppins (Disney, Cameron Mackintosh Productions); Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain (The Production Company); Olaf in Disney’s Frozen (Disney Theatrical Productions); Andre/Abernathy in Midnight the Cinderella Musical (Aspect Entertainment).
• Television: Judge for So You Think You Can Dance Australia (Network 10).
• Film: Johnno in Bootmen (Fox Searchlight); Motion Capture Actor in Happy Feet (Village Roadshow).
• Awards: Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Musical – Mary Poppins; Sydney Theatre Award Nomination – Mary Poppins; Australian Dance Award Nomination – Mary Poppins; Logie Nomination for Most Popular New Talent – So You Think You Can Dance.
• Instagram: @mattglee

Keane Sheppard-Fletcher (he/him) – Cal

• Training: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA); Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre); 2007.
• Theatre: Cover Frank N Furter, Brad Majors, Riff Raff and Eddie/Dr. Scott in The 50th Anniversary Tour of The Rocky Horror Show (Crossroads Live); Tick in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (MWE); Galileo Cover in We Will Rock You (GFO); The Phantom of The Opera (Handa Opera/Opera Australia); Standby Mark & Juan in Altar Boyz (Precedent Productions); The College Boy in Hello Again (Gaiety/Darlinghurst Theatre); The 27 Club (The Butterfly Club/HOTA); The Good Fight (New York Musical Theatre Festival).
• Television: The Today Show (NBC); Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure (Harpo); The Helpmann Awards (Foxtel); The Melbourne Cup (Channel 9).
• Concerts & Events: The Ten Tenors (Dmand/Frog in a Sock).
• Instagram: @keanesheppardfletcher

Drew Weston (he/him) – Jack Dawson

• Training: WAAPA, Bachelor of Arts (Musical Theatre), 2009.
• Theatre: Sebastian Valmont in Cruel Intentions The 90’s Musical (DVE); Sandy Tyrell in HayFever (MTC); Danny in Grease The Arena Spectacular (Harvest Rain); Bobby u/s and Ensemble in Dream Lover The Musical (GFO); Standby in A Gentlemen's Guide To Love And Murder  (TPC); Ensemble in Ghost (GWB); Phantom in The Rocky Horror Show (GFO); Farm Boy in Gypsy (TPC); Ensemble and Bert u/s in Mary Poppins (Disney/Cameron Mackintosh); Curly in Oklahoma (IAJs); Solo Artist in Ultimate Broadway (GWB)
• Television: Chad in Just For The Summer (Hallmark); Thomas in Matchmaker Mysteries: The Poison Pen (Hallmark); Host in The Housemate (ABC/iview); Luke in Winners & Losers (CH7); Galavant (ABC)
• Concerts & Events: The Australian Tour of The Disney 100 Concert (MM Creative Productions
• Awards & Nominations: Winner of the 2024 Deny Best Live Action Short Film at Sydney Film Festival (SFF) for “Die Bully Die”, which Drew co-wrote, produced and featured in.
• Instagram: @drewboyweston

Jenni Little (she/her) – Background Vocalist

• Training: Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), 2015.
• Theatre: Toni / Ensemble in Tina: the Tina Turner Musical (TEG / Dainty); u/s Mary Jane Healy in Jagged Little Pill (GWB Entertainment); Kinky Boots (Michael Cassel Group); Cordelia in Falsettos (StageArt Productions); School of Rock (GWB Entertainment); Young Phyllis in Follies: In Concert (Storeyboard Entertainment); Anna Moss in High Fidelity (Highway Run Productions)
• Concerts & Events: Vocalist for Lady Sings it Better (Edinburgh Fringe)
• New Works: Featured on Matthew Predny and Jake Nielsen's Salem's Revenge: A New Musical (Spotify)
• Instagram: @jenfromthesock

Trent Owers (he/him)- Background Vocalist

• Training: Drama Centre London, MA, 2012.
• Theatre: Peter Walsh in The Sunshine Club (Queensland Theatre & Hit Productions); Bucko/Dance Captain in First Casualty (Queensland Theatre); Francois in SUAVE (The Pink Flamingo Brisbane); Dracula in Dracula’s Cabaret (Draculas, Gold Coast); Angel Dumott Schunard in RENT (QPAC & MWE); Lucas in BARE: A Pop Opera (Brisbane Powerhouse & Woodward Productions).
• Television: Conrad in In Our Blood (ABC).
• Film: Micha in Mistletoe Ranch (Paramount+, Steve Jaggi); Ken in Girls Night Out (Channel 10+, Iron Forge Pictures).
• Awards: Matilda Award Nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – The Sunshine Club.
• Instagram: @officialtrentowers

Artemis Alfonzetti (she/her) – Offstage Cover

• Training: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre), 2023; National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Diploma of Musical Theatre, 2020.
• This is Artemis’ professional theatre debut.
• Theatre: McQueen/Robbe the Stockfish in Urinetown (Hayes Theatre Co).
• Instagram: @artemisalfonzetti

Matthew Predny (he/him) – Offstage Cover

• Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), BDA (Acting), 2014.
• Theatre: Avenue Q (LCW); Fiddler on the Roof (TML); Kinky Boots (Michael Cassel Group); High Fidelity; Gypsy; Jekyll & Hyde; Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; Spelling Bee; Murder For Two (Hayes Theatre Co.); A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (The Production Company); Who’s your Baghdaddy (Curveball Creative); PAW Patrol: Live (Lifelike Touring).
• Television: Blue Water Empire (ABC).
• Other: Audiobooks – Bound to Happen; Salt River Road; Love, Just In (Audiobrien). Webseries – Zephyr et al in For All (Deerstalker Pictures).
• Matthew is a proud member of the MEAA since 2013.
• Instagram: @matthewpredny

Tyran Stig (he/him) – Offstage Cover

• Theatre: Ross in Friends! The Musical Parody! (SK Entertainment); Swing in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (September Remedy and Hayes Theatre Co.); Professor Bhaer in Little Women (Joshua Robson Productions)
• Television: Joe Vs. Carole (NBC and Peacock)
• Commercials: BWS
• Instagram: @tyranstig