Constantine Rousouli on being a Tony Award nominee for co-creating 'Titanique'

First-time Tony Award nominee Constantine Rousouli reflects on his big news for himself and the show, which he calls "our little engine that could."

“Geez, Louise, I’m gobsmacked,” Constantine Rousouli said about being a Tony Award nominee as a co-author of the hilariously over-the-top musical Titanique. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

Believe it. Alongside fellow writers Marla Mindelle, who plays Celine Dion in the lampoon of the blockbuster film, Titanic, and Tye Blue, who directs the show, Rousouli, who plays Jack, is now a newly minted nominee for the show’s book. Rousouli is also a producer of the show, which is up for Best Musical.

“I am so honored to be able to do this. I'm honored that people are loving the work,” said Rousouli, adding that he brings his “passion for theatre and love of performing” to his part in the show.

A raucous musical parody motored by the songs of Celine Dion, Titanique began as a concert, then ran off Broadway and was seen around in a number of cities around the world before docking on Broadway.

Rousouli marveled at the show’s journey and keeping the faith about “a dream and a wish. I'm so overwhelmed with joy and pride and ecstatic with appreciation,” he said. “It's just, it's crazy. It's our little engine that could.”

Titanique earned nominations for Best Musical, book, lead actress for Mindelle, and featured actor for Layton Williams, who won an Oliver Award for the show’s London run.

Asked what he thought the vibe of the show’s performance will be tonight at the St. James Theatre, Rousouli expects Titanic-size excitement. “People are going to explode into a million pieces of dust, gay dust. People are going to throw themselves off the balcony,” he said, with a laugh. “That’s how electric the audience is going to be.”

The Tony Awards will be handed out June 7 at Radio City Music Hall during a telecast hosted by Pink. The awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.