'Titanique' Broadway transfer is magnifique

'TITANIQUE': Maria Mindelle. Photo: Evan Zimmerman.

‘TITANIQUE’: Marla Mindelle. Photo: Evan Zimmerman.

TITANIQUE
Book by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli & Tye Blue
Music supervision, orchestrations & arrangements by Nicholas James Connell
Choreography by Ellenor Scott
Directed by Tye Blue
Through July 12, 2026
St. James Theatre
246 West 44^th Street
https://titaniquebroadway.com/

By Scott Harrah

C’est si bon! All aboard for the Broadway transfer of the Off-Broadway splash-hit musical sensation Titanique. Like the equally outrageous Oh, Mary!, it arrives with a devoted fan base and is poised to win over a new crowd on the Broadway stage.

Marla Mindelle returns as French-Canadian pop superstar Céline Dion. She serves as emcee, narrator, and guide through this satirical retelling of both the Titanic tragedy and the mega-hit, Oscar-winning 1997 film. For its Broadway run, the show is splashier and glitzier. It now features major stars, including Jim Parsons as Ruth DeWitt Bukater and R&B legend Deborah Cox as Molly Brown.

Story & parody

Titanique is a double spoof of both the James Cameron film and Céline Dion. Ms. Dion, of course, never appeared in the movie, but she famously sang the theme “My Heart Will Go On.” However, in her version, she is on the ship. She also plays a major role in the love story of Jack (Constantine Rousouli) and Rose (Melissa Barrera).

All the major plot elements of the 1997 film are here. These include Jack and Rose, as well as her wealthy fiancé Cal (John Riddle). Familiar figures also appear, including Rose’s overbearing mother, the “unsinkable” Molly Brown, and the ship’s crew. Each character is reimagined with exaggerated flair. As a result, Titanique gleefully satirizes the original story into a campy, music-filled spectacle driven by Ms. Dion’s offbeat narration.

The show is a complete parody. It mixes the serious emotional stakes of the 1997 film with zany comedy and hammy theatrics. In turn, the wacky narrative transforms Titanique into an atypical jukebox musical. Céline Dion’s hit songs are cleverly repurposed to fit the absurd retelling.

As the iceberg approaches, Titanique becomes both a loving homage and a nonstop send-up. The show also pokes fun at some of the film’s more unexpected elements. For example, Frankie Grande doubles as both Victor Garber and Luigi, leaning fully into the absurdity. Meanwhile, Layton Williams steals scenes in a dual turn as a seaman and the Iceberg, reimagined as a Tina Turner–inspired drag persona.

On deck: The cast

Marla Mindelle is brilliant, commanding the stage as global pop superstar and Québécois icon Céline Dion with great comic timing and powerhouse vocals. Her over-the-top portrayal borders on caricature, but never feels mean-spirited. Instead, she anchors the show’s chaos with confidence. She guides the audience through the many outrageous twists while never missing a punchline.

Constantine Rousouli brings all the requisite charm to Jack. He highlights the character’s earnestness while embracing the show’s irreverent tone. Melissa Barrera’s Rose stands out, particularly for her vocals. When she teams up with Deborah Cox for the duet “Tell Him,” the two achieve rapturous harmony with matching vibratos. The number becomes even stronger when Ms. Mindelle joins in.

Deborah Cox makes a striking departure from her past glamorous Broadway roles. Here, she plays Molly Brown in the spirit of Kathy Bates, as a boisterous and outspoken woman who cuts through first-class pretensions. Known for both her R&B club hits and Broadway roles in Aida, Jekyll & Hyde, and The Wiz, she delivers a rousing rendition of “All By Myself.”

John Riddle plays Cal as a preening, entitled cad. He heightens the character’s arrogance for comic effect without losing the menace.

Jim Parsons chews up the scenery with comic aplomb as Rose’s overbearing mother, Ruth. Frankie Grande is delightfully absurd in his dual roles as Victor Garber and Luigi.

One of the show’s highlights is Layton Williams as the Iceberg. He delivers a high-energy, show-stopping rendition of “River Deep, Mountain High” that brings down the house.

High camp, lowbrow laughs

At times, the humor is unapologetically raunchy. For instance, a duet between Rose and Molly Brown devolves into a barrage of visual innuendos involving a very suggestive plastic eggplant. This moment reflects the show’s naughty, sometimes lowbrow approach. Along with its LGBTQ-inflected jokes, it pushes the material into PG territory. Even so, Titanique remains suitable for families with older children. At the performance this reviewer attended, several families were in the audience, and the jokes landed with consistent laughter. This sensibility will feel familiar to audiences accustomed to contemporary pop culture and television.

Sailing off in style

Titanique is not only a clever, intelligent parody but also an unabashedly joyful, crowd-pleasing spectacle. It sails along on humor, heart, and vocal fireworks. The show knows exactly what it is and leans into the absurdity with confidence. As a result, it delivers big laughs, powerhouse vocals, and a thoroughly entertaining night at the theater. Director Tye Blue, who co-authored the book with Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli, steers the production with a sure hand. He keeps the laughs coming while embracing the show’s shameless sense of excess.

Like its namesake, Titanique proves unsinkable. If audiences have anything to say about it, this voyage should extend well beyond its initial 16-week run.

Published April 12, 2026
Reviewed at press preview on April 11, 2026.

Editor’s Note: Titanique runs at the St. James Theatre in New Y o rk through July 12, 2026, and the Olivier Award-winning production plays London’s West End through August 30, 2026 (London t ickets).

The French-language Canadian production, starring Véronique Claveau, plays Montreal (Studio-Cabaret de l’Espace St-Denis) June 6 to August 23, followed by Gatineau (Théâtre du Casino) September 1 to 5 and Quebec City (Salle Albert-Rousseau) September 10 to 14, 2026. Tickets and details (Canada).