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Show Boat

Spanning the years from 1880 to 1927, this lyrical masterpiece concerns the lives, loves and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the Mississippi, in Chicago and on Broadway (and their life-long friends).

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Drama, Comedy

  • Time Period: 1920s, 19th Century
  • Target Audience: Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18), Adult, Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings

  • Performance Group:
  • Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Professional Theatre, College Theatre / Student, Church / Religious Groups

  • Accolades:
  • Nominee! 3 1970 Tony Awards including Best Actress (Musical) and Director
Spanning the years from 1880 to 1927, this lyrical masterpiece concerns the lives, loves and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the Mississippi, in Chicago and on Broadway (and their life-long friends). 

The primary plot follows Magnolia, the naive daughter of the show boat captain, as she marries a gambler and moves with him to Chicago. His gambling continues as his debts compound, and soon he deserts her and their young daughter. A subplot concerns the potential arrest of Magnolia's selfless best friend on charges of miscegenation when it's discovered that she is mulatto, and her subsequent downward spiral into despair. 

The passing of time reunites Magnolia and her now-grown daughter with her family on the show boat as well as with her husband, who eventually returns offering a hopeful second chance at familial fulfillment.
REVIEWS:

"Musicals don't come a lot better than SHOW BOAT, and indeed they wouldn't come at all had it not been for this one."

International Herald Tribune

"SHOW BOAT dates from 1927 but...it's for the ages."

Chicago Tribune

"A masterpiece!...SHOW BOAT is a great and richly entertaining musical."

Houston Chronicle

"Excellent ...perilously close to being the best New York has seen...an exceptionally tuneful score...every ingredient that the perfect musical should have."

The New York Times

"SHOW BOAT has become part of the American experience, part of our folklore, with Ol' Man River' occupying a permanent place in our collective unconcious."

The New Yorker

"A jewel of the American theater...Featuring so many perfect scenes and songs that it is impossible to mention them all. SHOW BOAT is the granddaddy of every great musical ever written!"

Los Angeles Times
Premiere Production: In 1929, Show Boat came to Broadway at the Ziegfeld Theater, staged by Oscar Hammerstein II. The show ran for 572 performances.

Characters

  • Casting: 9M, 9F
  • Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Minority casting, Roles for Children
  • Casting Notes: The ensemble for Show Boat features a Black singing and dancing ensemble and a non-Black singing and dancing ensemble as well as numerous small roles and children.
  • Chorus Size: Large

  • Based on the 1926 novel by Edna Ferber and spanning the years from 1880 to 1927, Show Boat chronicles the lives of three generations of performers on the Cotton Blossom. The roles and ensembles indicated as African American should be cast accordingly. One pivotal plot point involves the character of Julie, who is mixed race. This should always be taken into consideration when casting that particular role. The use of make-up or prosthetics to alter an actor's ethnicity is prohibited.

    WINDY
    STEVE
    PETE
    QUEENIE
    PARTHY ANN HAWKES
    CAPT. ANDY
    ELLIE
    FRANK
    RUBBERFACE
    JULIE
    GAYLORD RAVENAL
    VALLON
    MAGNOLIA
    JOE
    BACKWOODSMAN
    BARKERS
    CONGRESS OF BEAUTIES
    LANDLADY
    JIM
    JAKE
    CHARLIE
    MOTHER SUPERIOR
    KIM (child)
    OLD LADY ON LEVEE

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional.

    1 x Libretto-Vocal Book
    1 x Piano Vocal Score

    		$24.00
    Pre-Production Pack Shipped upon receipt of a signed License Agreement and full payment of all invoices. This is optional.

    1 x Libretto-Vocal Book
    1 x Piano Vocal Score

    		$75.00
    Rehearsal Material Shipped a minimum of 3 months before the last performance. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.

    20 x Libretto-Vocal Books
    2 x Piano Vocal Score

    		$550.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    1 x Piano Vocal Score
    1 x Flute (Doubling Piccolo)
    1 x Oboe (Optional English Horn doubling)
    1 x Clarinet I-II
    1 x Bassoon
    1 x Horn I-II
    1 x Trumpet I-II
    1 x Trombone
    2 x Percussion (Trap Set, Timpani, Bells, Xylophone, Triangle, Chimes)
    4 x Violin A-B-C-D
    1 x Viola (Divisi)
    1 x Cello (Divisi)
    1 x Bass
    1 x Banjo/Guitar (Requires two players)

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Lib/Vocal Book 10 Pack Shipped with (or after) Rehearsal Material. This is optional.

    10 x Libretto-Vocal Books

    		$50.00 +$50.00/pm

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