Véronique Claveau will live a dream by playing Céline Dion, her childhood idol, in the Canadian version of the musical Titanic.
We know that the singer has often sung the Quebec diva’s great hits or performed her outright – notably at Bye Bye, on the show See you next week from ICI Première and even to Live from the universe who welcomed Céline in person – but this time she will be on stage at the Segal Center for Performing Arts, in Montreal, with an entirely local cast.
Ben Pelosse / JdeM
“It’s a huge challenge for me, one of the biggest of my career. It’s a show that will require a lot of energy, beautiful energy. I feel like an athlete who must prepare to do eight performances a week, in English, it’s a big mandate,” said Véronique Claveau, who will take part in three weeks of rehearsals and who will keep her Quebec accent, a little like Celine.
“I have time to perfect my English and prepare well!”
An authentic and funny Céline
“I will try to stick as closely as possible to the authentic, funny Céline who speaks from her heart. In the show, Céline is the narrator, she addresses people. She retells the history of Titanicwith Jack and Rose, by interrupting a visit to a museum,” said Véronique Claveau, who saw Titanic in New York a year ago, before she even knew she would headline the Canadian version.
“I deeply love and admire Celine Dion and in doing this job I know how much she has invested, given in time, love and everything, it is extraordinary what she has accomplished. When I do Céline, there is a lot of love and respect, especially in recent years when she is less showbizz. There’s a sadness in all of this, I wish him good health!”
Véronique Claveau auditioned for this role at the end of October and signed her contract at the beginning of the year. She couldn’t wait for the project to be announced.
“The audition didn’t require a lot of preparation, because I have it so in my body, Céline. The first time I did it was at Rideau Vert for Reviewed and correctedin 2007. Since then, I have done it in several circumstances.
Only the participation of Véronique Claveau was revealed on Thursday during the announcement of the 2024-2025 programming of the Segal Center, which has more than 300 places. The other 13 members of the cast will be revealed shortly.
We are talking about an “intimate” show, according to Véronique Claveau, with musicians on stage.
Titanic was first produced off-Broadway by Eva Price. The Canadian version, which will also be presented in Toronto from December 5 to January 12, 2025, is a production of the Segal Center and Mirvish Productions, Toronto, under an agreement with Maximum Entertainment Productions.
“It is a great pleasure to sail Titanic to Quebec, Céline’s native land, thanks to the enthusiasm and expertise of my partners at the Segal Center and Mirvish Productions. It is obvious that the whole world reveres Céline, but I know how much more she means to the Canadian people. It belongs to you in a very special way, and I intend to convey this personal connection to you in a very tangible and meaningful way on stage. It will be one of the greatest honors of my career to be entrusted with such an undertaking. Last spring, I spent several days in Montreal and Toronto auditioning talent from across Canada, and I have to admit that I was completely blown away,” said director Tye Blue.
