River Campus expecting Titanic musical to sell out Bedell

Described by a cast member as "epic" and "beautiful," the award-winning "Titanic: The Musical" is coming to Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus next week.

According to River Campus management, more than 600 tickets have been sold for the 950-seat Bedell Performance Hall. The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5.

"Ticket sales are increasing, and we expect a sellout," box office manager Ellen Farrow said. "We bring programs of the utmost quality so people get an exposure to the arts they wouldn't normally experience."

Taylor Coriell plays Kate Murphey, Madame Aubert and a number of other smaller roles.

"We all play multiple characters, stretching across class lines to show that no matter what your station in life, when it came down to those final moments, it didn't matter who you were or how much money you had, you're just a person," she said.

The musical tells the familiar story of the ship's sinking with a personal perspective. According to Farrow, it shows how the events unfolded from the perspectives of the crew members and passengers and becomes a first-person narrative.

"You will walk away with an overall sense of what those people went through," Farrow said.

Coriell said, "'Titanic' is such a beautiful musical on so many levels. The music is gorgeous, and the story is so compelling. It's one you know, but this telling of it makes it so deeply personal. You know the outcome of the overall story, but now you have faces that represent these people who lost their lives in this tragedy, and you're rooting for them. So much of this story is about hubris and the consequences of that, and human error. And truly about the value of a human life."

According to Tonya Wells, marketing director for the River Campus, "Titanic" is "really going to be something to see."

According to Wells, the River Campus management wanted to do something to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

"It has a large cast with some showstopping numbers, including a very impressive opening and a finale with some really beautiful imagery," she said.

"Titanic: The Musical" won five Tony Awards, including best musical. It is produced by Boebe Productions and Windwood Theatricals and is currently on a nationwide tour.

Coriell described the musical as "complex and intricate."

"This cast is full of such talented people who each bring something valuable to the table: incredible voices and incredible actors," she said.

"The subjects this musical covers are extremely relevant to issues we're dealing with today," Coriell said. "I'm glad we're traveling all over the country with it. The audience can expect epic music, gorgeous storytelling and some truly beautiful singing."

Farrow said the audience can expect a great musical performance and comes away with "a bigger appreciation of life."

"Life can end at any time, and we should live life to the fullest. We're looking forward to reminding people that tragedies happen and how you deal with that is what defines you."

Tickets are $39 and $45. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 651-2265 or go to rivercampusevents.com.

apicar@semissourian.com

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