A new season of community theatre at Playhouse Merced will launch on Aug. 24 with the hit musical “Titanic.” 

Based on the infamous 1912 voyage of the “unsinkable” vessel and featuring a cast of nearly 40 performers, “Titanic” is a sweeping in its scale, bringing to life the excitement of the ship’s maiden voyage and its descent into tragedy.  The show won five Tony Awards including Best Musical when it hit the Broadway stage, and has been a staple of theaters worldwide ever since.  With a moving story by Peter Stone and a musical score by Maury Yeston, “Titanic” will be a stunning start to the 2018-2019 Playhouse season.

“Titanic” follows the stories of multiple passengers on the RMS Titanic as they begin their voyage.  The dreams and hopes of the Second and Third-Class passenger and the opulent lifestyles of the First-Class elite are laid out, setting up all of the drama that will unfold over the course of the journey.  As the audience gets to know the human side of the Titanic with historical characters like the thoroughly Irish Kate McGowan, the architect of the ship Thomas Andrews, and the stoic Captain E.J. Smith, the ship itself becomes an increasing presence as it steams across the Atlantic on a collision course with an unseen iceberg.  As the accident happens and the Titanic begins to sink, we experience the reactions and emotions of passengers suddenly thrown into a chaotic situation beyond their control.

Tickets for “Titanic” are available at playhousemerced.com or by calling (209)725-8587.  The show opens Aug.2 4 and runs through Sept. 16, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.  Tickets are $22, with discounted prices for students and children available by contacting the box office directly.  “Titanic” is an all-ages show but is not recommended for younger children.