The first national touring company of the Tony-winning Broadway musical Titanic will launch in Los Angeles in January, 1999, followed by stops in Chicago, Boston and Washington DC, with more cities to be announced.

The tour previews Jan. 5 and opens Jan. 10 at the Ahmanson Theatre in L.A., where it will run through Feb. 28. The production will play two other dates TBA before moving on to the Shubert Theatre in Chicago sometime in mid spring, according to production spokesperson Joyce Friedmann.

The next stop is the Wang Center in in Boston June 9-20. Tickets, at $15-$68.50, are now on sale at the Wang Theatre box office or by calling (617) 931-2787.

The tour moves on to the Kennedy Center in Washington DC at dates TBA in mid summer.

Friedman said sets and costumes for the tour will be designed by Broadway's Stewart Laing, but was uncertain whether all the effects used on Broadway would be recreated for the tour. -- By Robert Viagas