‘The Last Lifeboat’ comes to The Sauk

Corey Murray, Hillsdale Daily News
·2 min read
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JONESVILLE — "There always seems to be a fascination with all things related to the Titanic."

For The Sauk, Hillsdale County's community theatre, the Titanic is a topic they have covered once before.

"Our 2015 production of "Titanic: The Musical" is still one of the most-attended shows in our history," said Sauk Executive Director Trinity Bird. "Finding this play seemed like another way to explore the untold stories from Titanic."

"The Last Lifeboat" tells the story of J. Bruce Ismay, owner of the Titanic and a vice president of the White Star Line when the Titanic set sail. The play shows his life starting in childhood and continuing through his final days.

"The Last Lifeboat" tells the story of the sinking of the Titanic from another point of view.
"The Last Lifeboat" tells the story of the sinking of the Titanic from another point of view.

"You see him as a child with his abusive father, when he meets the true love of his life, during the sinking of the Titanic, and perhaps most interestingly, once the survivors return to New York," Bird added. "His life was always haunted by the sinking."

The Sauk's production is directed by Bruce Crews with Chloe Callender as stage manager. The design team includes Crews (set), Gianna Green (costumes), Bird (lighting), Tim Ambrose (sound) and Cyndi Baldermann (properties). Felicity Kiehnau runs the light board.

The cast includes a variety of Sauk veterans and newcomers. Tom Davis and his real-life wife Mary play Ismay and his wife Florence. The cast also includes Patricia Jordan, Aaron Guest, Sandi Miller, Jacob Weldon, Nathan Johnson, Mike Sutton, Nate Nelson, Jennifer Mackie, Jennifer Wagler, Belle Ambrose, Callender and Sparky. Each actor, except Tom Davis, plays multiple roles throughout the play.

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Performances of "The Last Lifeboat" are at 8 p.m. May 9-11 and May 16-18 with 3 p.m. performances on May 12 and May 19. Tickets range from $10 to $14 and are available at www.thesauk.org or by calling 517-849-9100. The May 9 performance is a Pay What You Can Preview. Preview tickets are not sold in advance. May 16 is $5 senior night. All performances are at the Sauk Theatre, 240 E. Chicago in Jonesville.

"The Last Lifeboat" is sponsored by Olivia's Chop House and Saucy Dog Barbecue. The 2024 Sauk season is sponsored by Joyous Journey Photography, WCSR Radio Hillsdale, 99-5 The Sale, McGraw Publications and Simply Hers Magazine.

For more information, including information on upcoming auditions, visit www.thesauk.org.

— Contact Reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: ‘The Last Lifeboat’ comes to The Sauk