Titanish Tickles Our (Figurative) Icebergs at Green Lake Bathhouse

Titanic: The legendary 1997 film depicting the ravishing romance between Jack and Rose that we all know and love. What about the musical, Titanish? It’s exactly as it sounds: it’s Titanic… sort of.

Kooper Campbell and Julia Kuzmich as Jack and Rose / Truman Buffett via Instagram

In this parody of the movie, Titanish turns the tragic tale into a comedy for the ages. Rose and Jack, played by the charismatic Julia Kuzmich and Kooper Campbell, venture aboard the totally unsinkable RMS Titanic along with a series of comedically iconic passengers and crewmates. The show is jam-packed with perfectly delivered jokes, many that are easy to miss, somehow making them even funnier. With irony and innuendos around every corner, every moment is a treat to experience.

Particularly impressive and equally hilarious is the dialogue’s adaptation to pop culture. Director Mark Siano flawlessly incorporates current trending phrases and recent events, catching us off guard in the best ways possible. It expertly walks the line between mockery and self-awareness, whether it be of anti-vaxxers or misogyny. Another pleasant surprise is that this show is actually a musical, and the cast delivers spectacular vocal performances. Better yet, the songs are also parodies—of greatest hits, of Celine Dion, of other musicals—that push this show into a new level of amusement.

Julia Kuzmich as Rose helping Jack escape / Truman Buffett via Instagram

Playing at Green Lake’s Bathhouse theater, another highlight of this production is how expertly the cast engages with the audience. From getting served drinks during the dinner party to donning floaties when the ship sinks, the front row of the audience (first class passengers) becomes part of the show. The small venue makes it easy for characters to break the fourth wall and bring us aboard. One of my favorite characters is the ship’s concierge and the host of the show, played by Siano himself. His interaction with us “passengers” joyously immerses us in Titanic’s maiden voyage, making us even more excited to watch this ship sink.

Produced by Seattle Public Theater and The Habit, the creatives behind a slew of other parodies, this is the third year that Titanish is running. Experiencing this show in a packed house with a crowd, cast, and crew that thrive on energy, it’s clear why this show is so popular.

Go alone, go with your friends, go with your family—but maybe not your kids. No matter how you choose to see it, you’ll be in for an unforgettable night of laughs and fun that perfectly captures the magic of live theater. Do yourself a favor and enoy Titanish before it closes on September 22, 2024.

Cast of Titanish / Truman Buffett via Instagram