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The Last Lifeboat

November 9, 10, 11, 2023
The Last Lifeboat

by Luke Yankee

the story of the Titanic that has never been told

J. Bruce Ismay was an upper-crust Englishman who always did what was expected of him. He went to the best schools, married the right society girl (even though he was in love with someone else) and vowed to his staunch, unfeeling father on his deathbed that he would take over the family shipping business and build the biggest, most opulent ship the world had ever seen: the RMS Titanic. What an accomplishment!

We all know the story of how the ship sank…or do we? Ismay saved as many people as he could on that fateful night, and finally, with no women and children in sight, he stepped into the last lifeboat…and was branded a coward and a traitor forever. The world needed a scapegoat for the sinking of the Titanic and Ismay became the perfect target. He had a powerful enemy in the United States—newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Hearst condemned Ismay nationwide before the rescue ship Carpathia even landed in New York. Hearst's cause was aided by William Alden Smith, a ruthless senator with presidential aspirations, who led a "witch-hunt" investigation into this high-profile disaster. Although there was no solid evidence against Ismay, Senator Smith managed to drag the hearings on for months.

More than 3,000 passengers brought lawsuits against the White Star Line for loss of life and property, which only fueled Ismay's intense survivor's guilt. When he was forced to resign from the White Star Line, he spent the rest of his days as a recluse at his estate in Ireland, haunted by the ghosts of that fateful night to the point of near insanity.

THE LAST LIFEBOAT is the story of the Titanic that has never been told. This epic tale explores not only the tragedy itself, but the sensationalized trials and aftermath of the night that changed the world forever.

THE LAST LIFEBOAT was performed November 9, 10, & 11, 2023 to appreciative audiences. Though dramas have not been part of many Masquers seasons in recent years those who attended this show appreciated the change of pace. We'll keep this in mind for the future.

  • Cast
  • Production Team
  • Auditions
  • News
  • Behind the Scenes

Meet the characters of The Last Lifeboat! Most of our cast portrays multiple characters as well as emsemble characters to fill-in the scenes. The named characters below are those who have speaking lines in the production.

Marty Schaller - J. Bruce Ismay
Justin Mrotek - Chaplain, Chairman, Thomas Andrews, David Butler, Reporter #1, Male Witness #1, Richard Farrely, & Boatswain
David Bouffard - Angry Man, William Randolph Hearst, Captain Edward John Smith, & Senator Duncan U. Fletcher
Tom Bartelme - John Pierpont Morgan, Charles Lightoller, Senator William Alden Smith, British Journalist, & Lord Mersey.
Jim Zdziarski - Harold Sanderson, Stephen Rector, Richard Fry, William Murdoch, Dr. Frank McGee, Philip Franklin, Reporter #2, Male Witness #3, Scottish Journalist, Gonzalo, & Jack Althorp.
Maksim Lara - Young J. Bruce Ismay, Sailor, Steward, & George Ismay.
Gregg Wolf - Old Man, Thomas Ismay, John Jacob Astor, Reporter #3, Male Witness #2, Irish Journalist.
Heather Love - Vivian (Pettiford) Hilliard.
Threse Colton - Florence (Schieffelin) Ismay.
Bekah Wiesner - Margaret Ismay, Mother, Female Witness #1, & Mrs. Chase.
Morgan Wiesner - Mrs. Madeline Astor, Female Witness #2, & Dr. Grenfell.
Catherine Egger - Old Woman, & Lady Peale.
Ann Wolf - Mrs. Emily Ryerson, & Itallian Wife.
Brooklyn Hebert - Sophie, Angela, & Evelyn Ismay.

Ensemble Characters
waiters, party guests, sailors, passengers, White Star Line employees, repoters, witnesses, journalists, theatre patrons, banquet guests, etc.

Producer Director

Producer - Luan Leonardelli
Director - Warren Schmidt
Stage Manager - Wendy Van Laarhoven
Assitant Stage Manager - Pete Van Laarhoven
Set Design - Warren Schmidt
Master Builder - Warren Schmidt
Set Decorator - Luan Leonardelli

Costume Master - Claran LaViolette
Makeup Design - Bekah & Morgan Wiesner
Hair Design - Bekah & Morgan Wiesner
Props Master - Luan Leonardelli
Lighting Design - Warren Schmidt
Sound Design - Warren Schmidt
Video Design - Warren Schmidt

Crew members include - Tom Bartelme, Jim Wochos, Ann Wolf, Darcy & J Gravelle, Jim Zdziarski, Rita Neff, Roz Vossen, David Bouffard, Wendy & Pete Van Laarhoven, Jake Jacquart, Becky Webb, & Brent Johnson.

Auditions for The Last Lifeboat were held at the Masquers Coach House on Monday September 5th. The final cast was announced on September 19th following an extensive search for additional cast members.

We will be sharing candid photos and videos as the process unfolds!