Disastrous misjudgments, lost lives and ruined dreams. Not really the stuff Broadway's made of ... until Peter Stone and Maury Yeston threw in the show-stopping tunes, bright lights and extravagant costumes.

Titanic — The Musical takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Eisenhower Auditorium as part of its National Tour 2001-2002.

From the writer of 1776 and the lyricist of Nine and Grand Hotel, Titanic is widely acclaimed for both historical accuracy and spectacular music. And despite uncertainties about its unusual theme, it cruised away with five Tony Awards in 1997 — including Best Musical of the Year.

‘Titanic’ Time: 7:30 p.m. Date: Tuesday Place: Eisenhower Auditorium Information: Call 863-0255 or visit www.cpa.psu.edu.

So while Director Daniel Stewart has heard criticism that the 1912 disaster is an odd subject for a hit musical, he compares his staging of Titanic to classical Greek tragedy in more modern context.

"I would say that trying to re-create the actual physical sinking of the Titanic in a realistic way is best left to other media," he said in an email. "But then I don't think realism is the authentic nature or strength of musical theater whatever the subject matter.

"When we are dealing with creators on the level of Maury Yeston and Peter Stone," Stewart added, "we can expect that they have written something that is particularly appropriate as musical theater."

And far from being a rigid documentary, Titanic breeches themes mirrored in the likes of Cats, The King and I and My Fair Lady.

"The three big themes in Titanic," said cast member Lisa Schwanger, "must be arrogance — I mean, they were even saying 'God himself couldn't sink this ship' — compromise and class division. And you know, when it comes to life and death, like when the ship's sinking, that all goes away."

Schwanger, who plays the role of wealthy Ida Straus, went on to say that "the music in Titanic is extremely uplifting for a tragedy — the music really makes the show. As soon as I heard it, I fell in love."

Against the backdrop of award-winning songs, Titanic sails through the events from the ship's departure to its tragic sinking with, for the most part, complete historical accuracy. Like the Academy Award-loaded 1997 movie, passengers below decks dream of opportunities in America while the diamond-encrusted First Class regales in its wealth. But instead of Jack and Rose, Titanic follows passengers and crewmen alike — "little snippets of different lives," was Schwanger's description — in the days before the iceberg collision and the hours afterward.

"All throughout (the musical) you see things that could have prevented the sinking," said cast member Leslee Warren, who plays First Class lady Charlotte Cardoza. "They could have lowered the bulkheads, for example, or at least had enough lifeboats for all the passengers. And people go away thinking about all those oversights that wouldn't let the Titanic happen.

"But despite the subject," Warren added, "there are some humorous parts to the show. And — oh! — the grandeur of the whole thing! There are parts of the show with everyone onstage and it's really thrilling. And the costumes and scenery are fabulous!"

Confronted with the difficult set-demands and somewhat limited by the confines of a theater, the designers had to be especially creative for the ship's sinking, Schwanger explained, mentioning a hydraulics system and sound effects as their solution.

Stewart added that the scenery and set are "boldly abstract" and more "of dreamscape as opposed to literal location or scale."

But more important than the scenery and set, Stewart said, is that the audience has "been stimulated, intrigued and engaged by the authors' world and poetic response to the event.

"I would hope that the viewer would experience wholly that which is unique to a live theatrical performance," he added. "Musical theater has unique properties. I would like to think that Titanic uses those properties in a stimulating and provocative way."

When asked about audience responses to Stewart's staging of Titanic, Warren and Schwanger were extremely positive.

"We seem to close to full houses all the time," said Schwanger. "And the audience's applause shows us that they like what we're doing, so that's really motivating. It's definitely a thrill to be part of."

Tickets for the performance are available at the Arts Ticket Center or by phone at 863-0255. Section one and two prices are $36 or $26 for the general public, $31 or $23 for students, $21 or $13 for University Park students, and $26 or $20 for children 12 and under. For addition information about Titanic or other upcoming venues, visit www.cpa.psu.edu.