Exclusive: The Full Opening of Titanic in Concert at Avery Fisher Hall

If you weren't at Avery Fisher Hall on February 17 to see Maury Yeston and Peter Stone's musical Titanic in concert, fear not, because we have all you're gonna need. Here is a video of the show's full opening number and closer, featuring stars Michael Cerveris, Brian d'Arcy James, David Garrison, and company, backed by a 29-piece orchestra and 250-member choir.

[@colorguarddrummajor]

This is one of the most underrated shows of all time.

[@jscho8674]

Couldn't agree more.

[@charleschapman6810]

Possibly because the Broadway production tried to avoid scenery altogether. :There she is:SGIPof Air!"

[@kylesmusic2500]

Definitely

[@tristanburrow1847]

I was seventeen when I got to see this. The performance, the voices, the costumes, the stage design, the storyline, everything were spectacular!!!! I still cry every single time listening to the original score soundtrack of the musical. If this show make a rival comeback I'm there first thing at a ticket booth. This show got best musical in "97, and took home countless awards and numerous recognitions. This is truly a gem within itself.

[@zachbartell4193]

I was lucky enough to see it live on Broadway. The ship sinking scene at the end…blew my mind.

[@ReallyRick]

Perhaps the best opening of any musical ever. Brings tears to my eyes everytime because I know what's to come, obviously.

[@nikkipurwin999]

blessed to have been in the 250 piece choir in the background there

[@zoiebgood]

same! I came with my high school choir!

[@rr7firefly]

Musicals after "Titanic" relied heavily on outrageous choreography, and quite often outrageous costumes. This musical had a terrific score and incredibly talented singers. A grand concept too.

[@alistermckinnley638]

@@noahstrube1027 RIGHT!, Like Jerome Robbins anybody? Even pre-golden age. Look at Anything Goes. The type of show with limited Choreo is just one type of musical.

[@danielbernardy4130]

LYNNE TAYLOR CORBETT

[@danielbernardy4130]

[@CaptainCaliansAdventures]

So true!!!

[@nancyklein2622]

I love how Brian d'Arcy James doesn't even have to glance at his score. I was blessed to see this on Broadway with the original cast, and he was a standout in a cast of standouts.

[@randeman]

Me, too! It was my first Broadway show. I can't believe it's been so long!

[@artlevine1182]

same here, totally agree

[@jlasf]

Same. I remember him because I looked at my Playbill at intermission to check his name. I don't do that often. I knew he was a star. Two other memories stand out. The piano rolling across the stage. And, I think it was the end of the first act, the stage became reflective and you saw the small image of the ship on the horizon. I have some memory that each person in the audience was assigned a name and you could check to see if you survived. (Or did I just come up with that in my imagination?)

[@jennwillard6474]

Me too! It was my very first Broadway musical and I cried listening to this

[@ohmusicsweetmusic]

ah, the great musicals of the 90's.... when you really had to still sing legit!

[@jscho8674]

Easily my favorite score of all time. It's brilliant. I know it won the Tony, but it is still far too underrated.

[@waynedumaine8630]

It was an honor to be asked to be a member of the pit orchestra for this amazing show!! Night after night playing trumpet with the amazing musicians and cast with Kevin Stites at the helm was a one in a million experience!! I was also in the orchestra for this concert! Great memories!

[@kyleswingle5844]

thanks for sharing this! how thrilling!

[@julieornot]

Those horns were NOT messing around.

[@SweeneyGod]

My wife and I had the honor of being in the 1st National Tour with a few of these people. The most beautiful score I know of, I still tear up at the end of this number.

[@jscho8674]

I saw that tour! Loved it! The score is amazing.

[@tomgallagher288]

I just go the part of Edgar Beane in a community production here in Toronto. It will be at the Richmond Hill Centre of the Performing Arts in July, 2017. I can't wait to be part of this gorgeous show. I've been listening to the concept/Broadway recording for over 20 years now and will finally be able to be a part of it!

[@therealameliabedelia7821]

Break a leg Tom! I'm playing Kate McGowan in a production that opens the end of April in Pennsylvania. The music is magnificent!

[@broadwaybaby243]

I'm in that production too! Can't wait to get started on this masterpiece of theatre :D

[@tomgallagher288]

Diana B Woo HOO!!!! What a FANTASTIC table read/sing-through last night. Goosebumps.

[@mcmanpa]

This is a wonderful performance, thrilling and emotional (for me), bringing back happy memories of seeing the original production on Broadway. It is a singular musical, made so especially by Maury Yeston's stylistically evocative score.

[@robertmitroke9248]

Perhaps one of the most emotional and gut wrenching first act openings I have ever encountered in a musical....

[@imtired1696]

By any measure, it should not work as a show. And yet it does. I love it so much.

[@captainAlex258]

let's forget other ships and remember the fucking titanic like half the earth died

[@jeffreyholenko6358]

I completely agree, yet so many care not for this show. Baffling…. This opening just moves me. Wonderful.

[@Nonamearisto]

@@captainAlex258 Titanic's sinking was unique. Poetic even. A tragedy which could easily be taken as God rebuking humanity for hubris and recklessness. "God himself couldn't sink this ship." And focusing too much on luxury, size, and speed at the expense of safety, at the expense of human lives. And on its maiden voyage no less. The Titanic was in many ways a microcosm of at least British society at the time, with similar social stratification. It might have come to have been seen as judgment being passed on said society, given that the Titanic was perhaps the greatest technological expression of that society to date, and a major investment to boot.

[@auntjbm]

Saw the play three times - once paid for my entire family to take a limo to NY and see it. I don't understand why it wasn't more popular. Although every performance we went to was sold out. Love it to the moon and back.

[@youtopia4100]

Thank you, TM. However, it seems your opening footage was augmented and combined with the finale. After the 15:55 mark, there is a pan to the orchestra and then, at 15:59, we see what was the opening cast -- singing the last notes of the finale (draped in their CARPATHIA blankets).

[@brendanstanczyk5173]

Good eye.. I just looked at that now

[@MusicAngel8196]

I still get goosebumps and remember the feeling of walking out with the choir in the concert. Best night of my life and will stay with me forever. Thanks MCP for the opportunity and I am so blessed to have been a part of such a beautiful piece of musical art and a talented cast

[@tomgallagher288]

Brings me to tears. Every. Single. Time.

[@artlevine1182]

one of the greatest opening performances on Broadway

[@gwa3141]

Stunning! Just watched it about 50 times. And the soprano line at 15:23! Who is that?! Brava!

[@jeffrosenberg5153]

With the Titanic anniversary this week, I’ve been watching the various movies and also listening to the musical score. I’ve watched this video many times this week and it absolutely gives me chills each time! I so wish I had seen it in person.

[@cloud39]

Have to say one of the best opening numbers in a Broadway musical. Good Morning Baltimore being another....

[@stephenrichardhamilton6112]

If the opening of this musical does lift your spirits then nothing will. A spectular musical beautifully presented and sung to perfection by an incredible cast. Please bring titanic to the west end. God knows it deserves to be seen in london.

[@toottoot3410]

Southampton, Belfast, Cherbourg, and Cork also deserve productions!

[@hierrikmedan6934]

its the type of opening that makes me want to stay in that moment of complete wonder and excitement forever, which just makes me remember how this story has to end lol i want to see this in person some day but im not sure if i ever will be able to at this rate

[@njatty]

@@hierrikmedan6934 Apparently, it wasn't until late into previews that they figured out how to end the show: with a flashback to this number. Probably not a dry eye in the house.

[@darrylstock6354]

It was done at the Southwark playhouse London. A brilliant production.

[@alhambralions5985]

🐝 You can feel the comradery and excitement in the cast. I particularly love watching Alan Corduner’s enthusiasm. If you watch the two companion videos (rehearsals) you can see how delighted he and many others are to be reunited with the cast, and performing this music again. You can tell that they feel privileged to see each other’s exquisite performances. (Particularly the Marry Me/ Telegraph duet). We were very fortunate to have seen Titanic on Broadway. It’s a show that continues to resonate with us.

[@sergioSILVA-ye4ig]

I saw it on Broadway and I am infinitely happy to know that so many people appreciate it, I will never forget when the curtain rises and the Titanic is seen on the scene floating in that ocean perfectly recreated by Richard Jones, one motion after another thank you all for these comments hopefully sometime we get together to see Titanic again

[@katie-vv1zz]

Still brings back tears, this night was so amazing great way to end High school! Miss all my fellow choir people we had to stay up late nights rehearsing with.

[@cinemacritic4801]

Wow, just simply incredible 👏👏👏😁!!! Amazing orchestra and musical broadway style vocals 😄❤❤❤!!! I got goosebumps when they were leading into the "Godspeed section" of the chorus. Very talented and beautifully captures the excitement and hope within the passenger of the Titanic. God bless those lost souls buried at sea on that fateful night.

[@jlasf]

Peter Stone wrote "Titanic" and "1776." They both have something in common; you know the endings, yet are still in suspense throughout the show. During "1776", it seems like they won't be able to bring the delegates together to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. In "Titanic", one hopes against hope that somehow the ship will not sink. In only one is there is a happy ending.

[@markbeck8384]

I LOVE this show; it is so perfectly paced; and you know all the characters by the time they either escape or die. The end where the survivors mingle with the dead is just sublime.

[@KwantumKitty]

I was fortunate enough to see the original Broadway production in 1997. I was such a big fan of the original cast recording that I purchased tickets to the show on the Internet for myself and my family even before getting plane tickets to New York (from Vancouver Canada) : ) It's truly one of the best shows I've seen. Thanks for the video which brings tears to my eyes. Godspeed Titanic!

[@djcpianist]

That poor captain, someone get him a carpathia blanket and send him back to the retirement home #BlessHim

[@cliff9685]

Unfortunately yes. He misses his entrance and seems confused

[@billsnyder6391]

As I mentioned above, I came to this vid to practice my Captain Smith after two hours at the piano. I was ready. He was not. To be fair Michael Cerveris got some rhythms wrong, but he didn't need to be pushed around the stage. In his waning years I had to do that for a formidable basso who sight-read and memorized music at sight, but couldn't deal with a director who changed the blocking at every rehearsal. If you follow opera, you know this director's name.

[@hawby7mgh]

Cruel and unnecessary.

[@JMaverick1985]

That orchestra sounds incredible

[@DrexelGregory]

Joe Hamilton Sounds even better than it does on the soundtrack

[@sungjinlui3972]

ny phil!!

[@mzmiller52]

Wonderful music. Not any surprise, Maury wrote “nine” which is perfect from beginning to end. I don’t understand what happened though with his “phantom” score.

[@corsairstw]

Yeston is quite "hit or miss". Some of his stuff is outstanding and almost without parallel. Other stuff is mediocre.

[@Rein5]

This is beautiful. The whole thing has to have been filmed for future release, right? Right?

[@kamemeasahina1580]

hi! unfortunately, due to a bunch of copyright issues, they did not allow anyone to record the show which is REALLY sad because it was so so so beautiful!!! (i know this because i was a member of the festival chorus :P ) but it was one of the greatest experiences of my entire life

[@otomodachifan]

I have an audio recording of the full show; I'll email it to you if you'd like.

[@Rein5]

!!! Posted on your page :)

[@antonmouzy]

+otomodachifan I would LOVE that. [e-mail]

[@EmbraceTheInevitable]

+otomodachifan omg OMG omg omg omg could you send it to me please!!! 😳 I would be so ever thankful 😇 [e-mail]

[@lianelonergan8215]

That moment when you realize Murdoch is Gale from Breaking Bad #worldscollide

[@lianelonergan8215]

In other news...I'm not crying. YOU'RE crying.

[@kgeraghty529]

Can i buy a dvd of the full performance??

[@geraldinewoods254]

Look it up on youtube and go to a youtube to mp3 site and download it and burn it to a cd

[@sd.m3521]

I can't help but notice that Mrs. Astor Two has AMAZING shoulders and arms! Want!!! Wonder what her workout routine is like!

[@MsKitkat5321]

This is the entire original cast? Even if it isn’t, it’s incredible that most of them returned for this incredible performance.

[@allanfisch]

I saw the original production, I remember liking it.

[@TheHillsdaleBatman]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the lady who plays Kate Murphy, the same lady who plays Wanda Gilmore from the old 'Wishbone' PBS show?!?! Angee Hughes?

[@DrexelGregory]

I love how the percussion sounds. You can't hear that on the Cast Recording. Also I had no idea Gale from Breaking Bad was in this

[@ragtmt15]

Where’s V Clark??

[@hierrikmedan6934]

"Towering high, broad and grand ship of dreams...." *THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP* "sailing there, morning bright....."

[@PrancingPigPottery]

Thank you for posting this. Sang part of this in a concert this weekend in York Pa. and fell in love with the music.

[@christopherphillips9891]

I was at opening night of the original on Broadway, and this looks better. Notice the teenage boy who appears early, and then in the final chorus. His body language and face are the best of anyone's. He is totally inhabiting that part and that scene.

[@alhambralions5985]

🐝 I agree, and feel the same way about Alan Corduner’s commitment and performance.

[@epaddon]

I saw the original production four times (once in previews). And I was fortunate to be there the night of this reunion concert that reassembled almost the entire original cast save for Victoria Clark (who was originally supposed to be there but then I guess ran into conflicts), Don Stephenson (who was directing this) and Larry Keith who had passed away. A truly great musical and for me, the superior telling of the Titanic story that appeared in 1997.

[@joshuaplotkin8826]

HOW IS THIS FUCKING POSSIBLE! A one night only concert performance by the original Broadway cast and NO ONE FILMED IT! I don't want the opening number I want to see the play with the original cast. and an orchestra. Like they did for Les Miserables. And Rent, they filmed the final performance of Rent. But Titanic? Nope. FUCK!

[@7rippster7]

+Joshua Plotkin Both Les Miz concerts were in London. I've noticed London and other European cities will often film a musical, or theater event and later on offer it for sale. Kind of sucks. Every Broadway show is filmed, but for archival purposes only. Actually, if they did film them and offer them for sale, it would probably cut down alot on the bootlegs. A quality dvd would also make money for the production. But alas... nope.

[@otomodachifan]

I have a full audio recording (I was there). It's kinda muffled, but I have it. I also found a video of the Dutch production of Titanic. I'd love a bootleg of Blue's Clues Live; Nickelodeon is no longer putting on that show. Hopefully anybody out there who grew up with the show could ask them to bring it back? I attend a lot of shows through Theater Development Fund's Autism Theatre Initiative (I'm #ActuallyAutistic) and I really want to film those shows because I like watching specific moments of the show repeatedly (ex. a certain line, the sound of the audience clapping). But they still tell me no, and I'm upset by that. I've actually had meltdowns over that before; thankfully one of them happened to be at an autism-friendly show so somebody came to help calm me down. Many people tell me, "just buy the cast recordings." I already do that. What I am talking about is more than just hearing the songs, it's reliving an experience. Then they say, "just buy tickets to the show again." Yes, I would love to do that. But the shows are often too loud for me, and both my social ineptitude and self-stimulatory behaviors make it difficult to cope. Also, the recordings are of a specific performance, different from others. I like to do the same thing over and over again. I want to relive certain things from the past. Most people just don't understand that. I can email you the audio tape privately if you'd like.

[@hawby7mgh]

It all involves contracts, royalties, recording payments for all union performers & musicians as well as requiring deep pockets to record, edit, market & present in any format.

[@hawby7mgh]

Your recording is (sadly) not legally permitted at any such Union entertainment event. There are good reasons for that. Not that I don’t agree that a professional recording would have been exciting. I was fortunate to attend this event. Wonderful evening.

[@sungjinlui3972]

Most of the original cast too! So amazing!

[@JenniLeigh81]

Was just transported to 1997 and high school me seeing this on Broadway and knowing in an instant that I had an incurable crush on Brian d'Arcy James, and that one day I have to be in this show, somehow, somewhere.

[@johntlew]

Glorious Choral Music

[@trex1563]

Finest sung show I ever saw on a Broadway stage.

[@TomIdelson]

10 years ago we did it as our final show at drama school (Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, in London) and we cried every time we did it! And now, once again, it brought tears to my eyes! What an AMAZING and EPIC show!

[@captainAlex258]

actually it should be " sail on sail on great ship carpathia!"

[@eddieferran5471]

Wow orchestra is absolutely phenomenal here, especially Woodwinds and Brass I mean those high octaves are so hard to tune they don’t even get it right on the recording. Bravi

[@phoenixnyc]

Wish they'd had a better balance between the orchestra and the singers--Kate 1's line at 9:33, which is very funny, gets drowned out completely.

[@hawby7mgh]

It’s not a sound edited/balanced recording for purchase.

[@showtunestarpower]

Was the whole concert filmed? Is it available to see? This is fantastic!

[@tonyadams4989]

I was in Titanic the Musical in three productions.. Edgar Beene, Henry Etches, & the Major. The music is absolutely beautiful. I could do this show again and again!!

[@connorlcoopersings6714]

That's brilliant! Etches always steals the show for me.

[@stevenbrandsma]

Is there a complete version of this musical, DVD of CD

[@hawby7mgh]

Easily in the Top Ten of B’way Musical opening sequences. And my good friend, Maestro Kevin Stites (OBC Musical Supervisor & Conductor) at the helm again leading this magnificent performance of the score in a gala concert some years ago at Lincoln Center (with nearly all of the surviving OBC on hand to recreate their roles). One of the most complex, thrilling, detailed and beautifully written ensemble openings ever conceived.

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

Wow I just can not speak god speed the titanic it really is a beautiful and gentle melodic musical and really moves you to tears as you watch this may you journey along the RMS titanic and become part of the Broadway fanomon family .

[@RickGrimmes]

What is Daniel Hardman doing in a musical??

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

How gorgeous the voices really do sink well in this Broadway successesive show may the RMS titanic live on in the hearts of everyone.

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

How gorgeous the voices really do sink well in this Broadway successesive show may the RMS titanic live on in the hearts of everyone.

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

God speed for the titanic we would never have our ancestors here today with us who went along on the hard journey of the titanic may all our ancestors now decend upon the ocean and may they live in all our hearts as we look upon the rms titanic may it be tradition to all of us who made it through the journey.

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

Time of our lives may all our thoughts and prayers go to our ancestors who had the hard journey across the alantic sea and may they know they are in our thoughts and prayers may they have been blessed and god saved .

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

Sail on sail on titanic may you be a traditional event that occurred in our lives and may all our ancestors be at peace knowing they went on this journey above the ocean and may they now rest in the arms of the arth of god may they know we look upon the rms in our hearts and we may live on .

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

Sail on sail on the rms titanic may you know that you are never far from our thoughts and may you live on to journey with our ancestors who came on that ship that very sad day and may god speed all of our ancestors.

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

Hope peace love and endurance may we live on with the rms titanic and may it be special to all those who sailed among the passengers and may they know as we look upon we will remember those who’s lives got tooken on that day .

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

Take me home to the place where I belong may the rms titanic be a time to reflect and be a time to Remember those who died to save our lives that sad day but always know you will have a place still with your ancestors who died on that trip .

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

God speed all our ancestors whom may have gone before us and may the memories of those who sailed on the titanic be a never ending story and may we still tell the days that we had on the rms titanic and may we be reunited with our ancestors again someday when we journey on .

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

I really was blown away by how gorgeous this song is from titanic the musical everyone did very well .

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

May we have the encouragement to sail bravely one day among our ancestors that died on that ship and someday we will be able to go to heaven to see our ancestors who died on the titanic and may we be held in there arms again .

[@beneddiected]

The fact that this isn’t professionally recorded is my villain origin story

[@MarynaRode-w7r]

This musical touched me because it is a musical about love and coming back home to find your loved one again someday.

[@barrygandersleeve3396]

I was privileged to do Titanic in Concert at the Erie Playhouse some years ago. It was wonderfully done and one of my fondest theatrical memories.

[@gabriellenoellewood9538]

You can see me at 15:57

[@dragon542009]

i saw the show in new york i cried wonderful music and voice and chorus .i was really disappointed to not see the musical going around the world in tour

[@Lennyk07]

I was lucky snough to see this on tour last spring, and it is still the best show i have ever seen, i had high expectations but it even knocked them out of the water, a masterpiece!

[@elisabethnerolk2283]

does anybody know if theres a full video of the whole avery fisher show on youtube??? maybe a slime tutorial of the celebration?

[@lindagoodswin9519]

I have booked up to go and see this next year, i can't wait i have always had a thing about the titanic, i would of love to have met Thomas Andrews

[@elisabethnerolk2283]

the orchestra was sensational!

[@waynedumaine8630]

Thank you!!

[@MrBochawa]

@@waynedumaine8630 Who was on principal trumpet here?

[@elisabethnerolk2283]

does anybody know , who the blonde lady in purple dress is??? she played MADELEINE!

[@garytifeld660]

Anyone know who is playing Isidor Strauss? And if that wasn't Victoria Clark (sure sounded like her), then who was it?

[@Wynbis]

Isidor is Ron Raines

[@theatrefreak25]

Michelle Ragusa is playing Alice Beane

[@hawby7mgh]

Clark was not available. This actress did a terrific job with very difficult patter material.

[@albosta5]

Beautiful music.

[@jeffreyholenko6358]

Love this. Chills.

[@voxextremos22]

Who is playing Barrett’s fiancé she is absolutely stunning g

[@aquestnohies]

great music, great orchestration too.

[@bensilberman4912]

I want this!!!

[@LondonLite02]

The life preserver❤

[@senorlucien]

That isn't Victoria Clark playing Alice Bean, right? I thought she originated that role.

[@mytwilightobsession1]

I believe it is her, but this was a revival of the play so some of the characters are different.

[@CalvinRE]

Unfortunately, it was not Victoria Clark. she was downtown playing the Fairy Godmother in CINDERELLA at the time.

[@johntlew]

No, it's not Victoria. You'd think she could have taken one night off from Cinderella....

[@dean9235]

So distracting when the audience keeps clapping every time someone new enters the stage!

[@billsnyder6391]

Oh, dear! I hate to pile on the poor Captain. I'm learning Captain Smith right now (two years older than the real Captain Smith, but more prepared that what we saw) and we haven't gotten to this part in musical rehearsals yet, so after banging it on the piano a few times, I thought I'd see how the opening goes so that I would be ahead of the game among a really intimidatingly talented cast. I don't think that's how it goes for the Captain. To be fair, I've got the score in my hands and Michael Cerveris gets some rhythms wrong too, but the Captain having to be pushed around the stage is sad. Again, to be fair, I directed a 25 yo in a Gilbert and Sullivan show (who had done two years in a Broadway show and two show tours before he moved back here to raise a family). Opening night he went up on his lines and hopped around the stage singing la-la-la for three verses of a song.

[@christiansnyder342]

Absolutely fantastic

[@rctommy3200]

Is that Gale from Breaking Bad?

[@dculp9284]

+Christian Thomas Yep.

[@DrexelGregory]

Also Steve, Marcy's first husband on Married with Children

[@djcpianist]

I wondered if anyone else would pick up on this! Such a fabulous actor 👌

[@SteppingStone445]

The audience clapping is so annoying

[@hawby7mgh]

Seriously?! It’s a live gala reunion concert performance. Why not enjoy the experience & excitement you see and hear on this video (which is not even union sanctioned btw -but at least you can see it on KZbin) of an audience responding so warmly & being so appreciative of actors returning to the roles they originated in a beloved B’way Musical from 1997 with very short rehearsal time. I certainly cheered & applauded. It’s not a studio recording. Listen to OBC recording for an audience free of record of the score.

[@MrHDtom]

there is an annoying 6kHz. Peak in the recording or the singers channels .!

[@voluntariosasoka]

Wow..that must really keep you awake. THANK YOU it was you should be saying you ungrateful stowaway!

[@anniehsu3363]

That's my dream drama.

[@emilygracey]

6:25 - Gale Boettcher!?!

[@shout467]

Revival…!

[@werabka01]

není někde prosím celý koncert?

[@otomodachifan]

I was there!

[@mcnuggiestendies6442]

EYYYY there's joe

[@NiekHV]

Who's the boy flying around at 7:21?

[@geraldinewoods254]

....

[@kenniwithani4634]

He's the boy I think from the original cast. He had a book in the Rosie O'Donnell performance and the Tony awards.

[@fletcherhc653]

Bravo!!