TOWAMENCIN – After months of unsuccessful attempts to simulate ocean conditions in the auditorium, the North Penn High School Theatre Department has made the unprecedented decision to hold part of its production of the musical Titanic in a different venue: the high school’s natatorium.

Though this change will bring with it a multitude of challenges, such as poor acoustics, limited seating, and the possibility of cast and crew members falling into the pool, audience members will be treated to an extraordinarily accurate depiction of the true story of the Titanic.

“We struggled for months to create the most realistic waves that we could,” explained stage crew director John Buckner. “After the tsunami fiasco in rehearsal, we decided that it would be best to just have the whole second act in the pool. This way, we don’t have to worry about laying down plastic coating on the carpet every time we rehearse- Mr. Hynes was very worried that we would stain the carpet in his final year as principal.”

While the first act of the musical will still be held in the traditional auditorium venue, during the two hour long intermission, the entire set will be taken apart and reassembled in the pool. The few audience members who are able to fit into the natatorium will see the show’s intense ending firsthand, while the remainder of the audience will be able to view the musical live via NPTV feed in the auditorium.

In preparation for this dramatic change in venue, all cast and crew members have been required to take swimming lessons and pass the Red Cross Level 6 certification test. Company members who do not pass this test will be relegated to performing only in the first act to reduce the risk of drowning. However, in the interest of safety, stage managers will be required to become certified lifeguards and wear swimsuits, should an emergency arise during the production.

Fortunately for audience members, no swimming skills are required to view the musical, though spectators in the special “splash zone” will be treated to an exceptionally realistic Titanic experience.

“I hope everybody bought their North Penn beach towels during the Thespian troupe fundraiser last month,” said actress and Thespian troupe fundraising coordinator Liz Jebran.

To get ready for this titanic adjustment, the theater department has made a special order of 40 gallons of waterproof paint for both the pool’s bulkhead and the set itself. Sophomore students taking swimming classes have been warned to be careful entering and exiting the pool, as the natatorium will be transformed into a construction zone for the next month.

“About a week before opening night, we’ll start laying down parts of the ship around the bulkhead,” said Buckner. “While it won’t be easy to reconstruct the whole set in the middle of the show, we’re confident in our ability to set sail in the pool for the second act- hopefully, the lifeboats will cooperate.”

Tickets for the show are $5 for students and $10 for adults who wish to view both acts, $3 for students and $6 for adults to view only the first act live, and $7 for students and $12 for adults who wish to be seated in the special “splash zone” area for the second act. Splash zone spectators are advised that the musical is BYOP- bring your own poncho.