‘Titanic the Musical’

West Coast premiere

When: 7:30 p.m. July 22-23, July 28-29, Aug. 4-6;

2 p.m. July 24, 31

Where: Port Angeles Community Playhouse, 1235 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

Tickets: Opening night July 22, $12 general admission; $10-$18 for reserved seating. Available online at ghostlight-productions.com, 1st Security Bank, Sequim; Beauty and the Beach, Port Angeles

Forget Leo and Kate.

Ghostlight Productions, led by Mark Lorentzen, is shifting gears from spelling competitions to the sinking of the Titanic. The production troupe that began last summer brings the West Coast premiere of “Titanic the Musical” to the Port Angeles Community Playhouse from July 22-Aug. 6.

“It’s not glorifying the tragedy but it’s a celebration of the era,” says actor/director Lorentzen.

“As you get into the sinking, it explores the acts of heroism and selflessness extremely well. Audiences will forget what happened and get caught up in the story.”

The musical is based on the 1997 Tony-award winning Broadway show that debuted several months before the popular film. It follows three love stories between passengers in different sections of the boat.

“It’s really an exploration of the class system,” Lorentzen said. “But the minute the last lifeboat left the ship, it didn’t matter what class you are anymore.”

Most of the characters are based on real people, he said, with some embellishment.

Lorentzen said original cast member Don Stephenson adapted the show in 2014 from its 60-person, 30-piece orchestra and large hydraulic ship to a more intimate and approachable production.

“I’ve always wanted to do the show,” Lorentzen said. “I remember listening to the album as a kid but I thought the chances of being able to do it were slim until now.”

Lorentzen’s dad, John, serves as musical director leading a live orchestra for popular songs like “Godspeed Titanic,” “Still” and “Lady’s Maid.”

“‘Titanic’ has it all with high drama, some funny comedic moments and moments that make you stop and catch your breath,” Lorentzen said.

While this updated version of the musical is more intimate, Lorentzen said it remains essentially the same and has a “brilliant doubling scheme.” He plays four characters in the show while others play up to six.

“Some have quick changes in 30 seconds. It’s intense,” Lorentzen said. “Everyone sees the stage but there’s quite a lot going on behind the scenes, too.”

Bringing the musical to the Community Playhouse is a great setting he said because it brings the audience closer to the action.

The cast includes 27 actors with 18 from Sequim. They are Annie Armstrong, Silas Baird, Luciana Barerra, Daniel Camper, Colleen Carpenter, Hope Chamberlain, Alison Cobb, Mikey Cobb, Quinton Cornell, Nicholas Fazio, Kaleb Gliko, Alysha Graham, Ron Graham, Eric Hermosada, Carl Honore, Damon Little, Kate Long, Anne Lorentzen, Danielle Lorentzen, Kathryn Lorentzen, Mark Lorentzen, Ryan Macedo, Nikki McElhose, Annika Pederson, Jeremy Pederson, Angela Poynter and Tom Saffold.

Anna Pederson leads choreography with costumes designed or provided by Long and Kathy Balducci.

“We have a phenomenal team behind us,” Lorentzen said.

Opening night of the show, Friday, July 22, is general admission for $12. Purchase tickets or learn more about the production at ghostlight-productions.com.