TITANIQUE Background Vocalists Reveal Backstage Secrets

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The trio are the Background Vocalists for the production, now playing at the St. James Theatre on Broadway.

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We all know how much hard work goes into the performances that audiences see eight times a week on Broadway. When they're not giving it their all onstage, most performers are backstage doing what it takes to stay happy, healthy, and ready to go between scenes. In Words From The Wings, BroadwayWorld is taking fans behind the curtain to shine a spotlight on the everyday routines that keep Broadway stars moving.

In this edition, we catch up with Sara Gallo , Kristina Leopold , and Polanco Jones , who are the Background Vocalists in Titanique on Broadway. Below, they take us backstage at the St. James Theatre (with photos by Jennifer Broski ) to share some of their favorite backstage moments, must-haves, and more!

Sara Gallo 's regional credts include work at the MUNY, Ogunquit, Tuacahn, Fulton, Walnut Street Theatre , North Shore, TUTS, and more. She can be seen in A Holiday Spectacular (Hallmark).

Kristina Leopold appeared in the Broadway and National Tour productions of SIX. She appeared as Nala in Festival of the Lion King at Hong Kong Disneyland. Other favorite credits include Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde (The Fulton), Julie in Tootsie (MSMT), Esmeralda in Hunchback… (California Theatre)

Polanco Jones appeared on Broadway in The Wiz Revival. Off-Broadway, he appeared in Black No More.

What’s the first thing you do when you arrive to the theatre?

Sara: Wig prep! It’s always been my go to first thing. Once that’s done I feel like I’m tapped in.

Kristina: Say “hey” to Sara Gallo in a silly voice!

Polanco: Say hello to the security folks they are absolutely amazing!! Then I go to the basement make some tea, climb the 6 floors to my dressing room and check in with the boys, we catch up and crack jokes.

What’s the last thing you do before you go on stage?

Sara: In this show, the BGVs start behind the curtain and there's a fun reveal. I love to go up early and just be there with the musicians, stretch, and try to get in the zone.

Kristina: Give my pal, who plays guitar in our show, a head nod and exchange silly faces with our musical director, Geoff Ko.

Polanco: Put on chapstick hit a couple pushups give myself one last look and grab my handheld mic.

What’s your must-have backstage snack?

Sara: Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers from Trader Joes! The GOAT!

Kristina: It is regrettably, Nerds Gummy Clusters. I fear I’ve already consumed much more than the suggested, per year, amount.

Polanco: I love protein snacks so things like chomp sticks, quest chips, and protein bars!

Pre-show ritual that others may think is weird?

Sara: I am a new mom so something weird I do is pump while doing my makeup!

Kristina: In an effort to save all my weird for the stage, I just do a regular girl vocal and physical warm up!

Polanco: I like to wait as long as possible to get dressed that way once I’m dressed it’s show time, no waiting around.

What are five must-haves in your dressing room?

Sara: Pictures of my people, Ricola lemon-mint cough drops, headphones, & a pillow and blanket for some sweet sweet naps.

Kristina: A tennis ball, in case I need to roll out my neck/shoulders; instant coffee for my soul; small sweet treats in case I need a little jolt!; Nin jiom pei pa koa if I’m sick and my voice needs some extra magic; Anything Star Wars themed. Thanks to some pals, it is currently Han, Leia, and Chewy rubber duckies and a Boba Fett plush.

Polanco: 1) Toiletries (especially cologne, skin care, and dental care) 2) Snacks 3) A place to nap 4) Sinus rinse 5) An extra outfit including shoes & accessories

What’s your favorite moment from the show to watch from the wings?

Sara: The final moment in “River Deep” watching Layton just EAT the stage. I stand on the upstage stairs and peek through the set to watch the audience reaction because it gets me every time!

Kristina: Deborah and I love to watch Frankie sing his Victor Garber reprise and see if we can hold his note as long as he does.

Polanco: I don’t watch much from the wings I usually listen along and choose one of my other tracks to review lines for as the show is going. If you stay ready you don’t have to get ready.

What has been your favorite backstage moment in your time with this show so far?

Sara: During tech I brought my daughter in for a few hours and it was just the coolest experience. Not only was it fun to have her there but she LOVED it!

Kristina: There are so many wonderful moments that happen nightly, but my favorite singular moment was the cast surrounding me in a tearful group hug after I made my Molly Brown debut.

Polanco: That’s a tough one it’s either every Tuesday we hangout as a cast outside of work and call it ahhh ha ha ha clink. Or when we were on the Today Show and learned that we were Tony nominated.

Titanique , the splash-hit musical comedy inspired by the 1997 film Titanic and powered by the songs of Céline Dion, is now playing on Broadway at the St. James Theatre.

The Broadway cast includes Marla Mindelle as Céline Dion, Jim Parsons as Ruth DeWitt Bukater, Melissa Barrera as Rose DeWitt Bukater, Deborah Cox as Molly Brown , Frankie Grande as Victor Garber , Constantine Rousouli as Jack Dawson, John Riddle as Cal Hockley, and Layton Williams as The Iceberg. Sara Gallo , Polanco Jones , and Kristina Leopold appear as background vocalists, with Tess Marshall , Brad Greer , and Kyle Ramar Freeman serving as understudies.

Written by Tye Blue , Marla Mindelle , and Constantine Rousouli , Titanique reimagines the events of Titanic through the perspective of Dion, weaving the pop star’s songs into a comedic retelling of the story of Jack and Rose. Musical numbers include “My Heart Will Go On,” “All By Myself,” and “To Love You More,” performed with a live band.

Galileo

Watch the cast of Titanique on Broadway sing Celine Dion's 'Taking Chances'. The Tony-nominated musical is led by Marla Mindelle as Celine Dion, and more.

Watch in this video as 2026 Tony Award nominee Layton Williams chats more about making his Broadway debut, why being a part of this season is so special, and so much more.

Victor Garber went to see Titaníque on Broadway, heading backstage after the show to talk to Frankie Grande, who plays him in the musical, and the rest of the cast. Watch a video of his visit backstage.

An all new video has been released of Marla Mindelle performing 'My Heart Will Go On' from Titanique on Broadway. Learn more about the musical and check out the video here!

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Sara-Gallo-Kristina-Leopold-and-Polanco-Jones-Share-Backstage-Secrets-From-TITANIQUE-20260615)._