"Our version of Show Boat is based on the 1946 published script, but we have made — with the support and approval of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization — some adjustments, edits, and changes specific to the Goodspeed production," explained Ruggiero in director's notes, regarding the revisions. "Show Boat has never been performed the same way twice — it's a piece of theatre that has always invited interpretation and choice. In addition, we faced specific challenges with producing Show Boat at Goodspeed: the size of cast we could accommodate on stage and the limited amount of physical stage space available to perform the show. Certain changes we made reflect necessary adjustments that serve both those challenges…"
Show Boat also features David Aron Damane (The Life, Big River) as Joe, Andrea Frierson as Queenie, Lesli Margherita as Julie, Karen Murphy as Parthy, Lenny Wolpe as Capt. Andy, Danny Gardner as Frank, Jennifer Knox as Ellie and Madeleine Berry as Kim.
The ensemble includes Paule Aboite, Kyle E. Baird, Elizabeth Ann Berg, Robert Hannon Davis, Elise Kinnon, Denise Lute, A'Lisa Miles, Robert Lance Mooney, Rob Richardson, Greg Roderick, Jet Thomason, David Toombs, Mollie Vogt-Welch, Richard Waits, Nicholas Ward, with swings Belle Doraz, Adam Fenton Goddu and Christiana Rodi.
To check out highlights from the production, look below: