Titanic The Musical prepares to set sail at Milwaukee Rep

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - A production that's been over two years in the making is finally going to hit the stage with the curtain set to rise on Titanic The Musical at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

"This is the first show of any huge magnitude, outside of Christmas Carol, that we've done in our spaces since West Side Story in 2019," explained Mark Clements, the production's director. "It's huge."

Originally casted over two years ago, the pandemic brought show preparations to a halt. It left members of the cast and crew with uncertain futures.

"It was a time of reckoning for a lot of people," said Matt Daniels, an actor in the show that has lived in Milwaukee for the better part of two decades. "I know a couple actors who left the business altogether. It's a hard business when it is fully operational."

Still, many chose to tough it out, working side jobs with the hope of returning to the stage.

"It's something that I've been looking forward to," said Sophie Murk, who plays Kate Mullins in the production. "Especially for a show that's about hope. It's really easy to connect to that."

Clements agrees, saying that he thinks people in the audience will be able to relate to the tale after what has been an extremely challenging two years for society has a whole.

"There's something about doing it now as opposed to 2019. In a strange way, the pandemic has a parallel," Clements said. "There's a lot of people who've suffered; who passed away. 1,500 people lost their lives and some people survived and in a way, that changed maritime history. How we live now, changed from the pandemic, has changed history."

The show features 30 actors and actresses and dozens of others working in production and behind the scenes. Clements credits his colleagues for their dedication and passion, saying that it has helped to bring this show to life after so much uncertainty.

"We somehow always come through and pull it off, and the reason we're able to do that is just because of the team of people that we work with from around the country and in Milwaukee," Clements said. "They're just stellar. They're the best of the best and it needs everybody to be on their A-game. All of the time, every minute."

Along with bringing the songs and stories to life, Daniels says he's excited to perform in front of a large, live audience once again.

"There's just no replacement for a live audience," Daniels said. "That is the most special thing about coming back, is that first sense of being in the same room as the audience again. It's untouchable."

Titanic The Musical takes the stage at Milwaukee Rep April 5 through May 15.

More information on showtimes and tickets can be found here.