Marney McQueen to play Celine Dion in Titanique musical

An Aussie star of stage and screen is set to play Celine Dion in a hilarious new show that’s heading down under in September.

Aussie star Marney McQueen has landed the role of a lifetime.

The actress and stand-up comedian is set to play Celine Dion in Titanique, a jukebox musical that is coming to Australia after receiving rave reviews in New York.

The premise is simple: Celine Dion claims she was on board the actual Titanic, and uses her vast catalogue of songs to retell what happened on that fateful voyage.

The show has been described as “a hysterical musical fantasia”.

Celine Dion.

Marney McQueen.

McQueen, who has appeared in several TV shows as well as productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Hairspray, told news.com.au that she felt “incredibly honoured” to have landed the role.

“This show really is a love letter to Celine Dion,” she said. “She’s got an incredible sense of humour, she’s extremely funny, and all of that is infused throughout the show.”

McQueen revealed that she hired a vocal coach to prepare for the role.

“It’s been really helpful for me because I’ve never actually sung songs this big and powerful before,” she said.

Titanique has been a hit in the US where it's been playing for several years. Picture: Evan Zimmerman

Some of the songs McQueen will sing in Titanique include Because You Loved Me, I’m Alive and of course, My Heart Will Go On.

“That’s obviously the hardest song to sing, but there’s another one, I Surrender, which I sing as the ship goes down,” McQueen said. “It’s relentless.”

McQueen will be joined on stage by Drew Weston (playing Jack Dawson), Georgina Hopson (playing Rose), former So You Think You Can Dance judge, Matt Lee (playing Victor Garber) and Abu Kebe (playing the iceberg).

Titanique will premiere in Sydney at The Grand Electric from September 12.

“It’s 90 minutes of pure hilarity and joy,” Weston told news.com.au. “You’d be crazy to miss it, honestly.”

Originally published as Marney McQueen to play Celine Dion in Titanique musical