Frankie Grande calls Jim Parsons a 'genius' ahead of Titanique Broadway return

Frankie Grande is all smiles as he prepares to return to Broadway in the zany musical parody Titanique.

The 43-year-old performer, reprising his role as Victor Garber, opened up to PEOPLE at the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles about bonding with his castmates—including The Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons, who plays Rose DeWitt Bukater’s mother, Ruth.

“Big fan of Jim Parsons,” Grande said. “Even bigger fan of him now, now that I’ve been in rehearsal with him. What a genius.”

Grande also heaped praise on Deborah Cox, who plays Unsinkable Molly Brown. “I’ve known Deborah for 20 years, but wow—she’s working in a way I’ve never seen before. She’s so funny, and this is our first comedic role together, so I’m really excited.”

Joining Parsons and Cox on stage are Melissa Barrera as Rose DeWitt Bukater and Constantine Rousouli as Jack Dawson. Grande said the cast has been immersing themselves in Céline Dion’s music and career—whose hit “My Heart Will Go On” famously scored the 1997 film—to bring authenticity to the parody.

“We’re singing Céline Dion music very loud and very high all the time,” he said. “We’ll be watching documentaries together to make sure we do our queen justice. Every mannerism matters.”

Titanique first premiered in Los Angeles in 2017, followed by an off-Broadway run in 2022. Grande called returning to Broadway “a little mind-f—,” noting the challenge of adjusting a show he’s performed for eight years to a larger stage.

“I’m up for the task and up for the challenge,” he said.

Titanique will begin preview performances at the St. James Theatre on Thursday, March 26.