Tony-winning musical 'Titanic' returns to Shanghai

The highly anticipated Tony Award-winning musical Titanic will be performed in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The acclaimed production was remounted for a global tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its debut on Broadway. The production was first held in Shanghai in 2019.

Based on real passenger accounts, the musical premiered six months before the 1998 movie by director James Cameron. "The musical is very much the beginning of this story, rather than a musical based on the movie," said Danielle Tarento, the UK producer of the musical.

While the film focused on romance, this production emphasizes more on the virtues of humanity.

"It is about a true story that happened 111 years ago. Every character you'll see on the stage was a real person," said Tarento when mentioning what makes this story so moving.

The latest production features a new cast of 25 actors who will play over 126 roles. The cast includes eight members from the original London cast and 17 veteran West End performers.

All the sets, costumes and lighting have been shipped directly from London's West End. The 600 costumes featured in this production are from the new movie musical.

"The costumes are sensational, and the singing is glorious. Let that do the work for you," said Tarento. "The best way to watch the show is to come without any preconceived ideas. Let the story tell the story."

Tarento pointed out that the characters will become a part of the crowd during the show, thus allowing the audience to feel as if they are passengers on the ship.

The winner of Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Scenic Design, Titanic also received a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations and a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Shanghai is the first leg of the production's China tour. Shows will also be held in other cities including Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing.

The musical will be performed at the Shangyin Opera House from Wednesday to Sunday in Shanghai.

Zheng Zheng contributed to this story.