By Amy Lipson
11 Nov 2009

Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, launches a new production of the Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein musical Show Boat.

Eric Schaeffer directs the musical drama, which covers 40 years of history, in the Tony-winning resident company's 276-seat theatre. Performances began Nov. 10.

Schaeffer states, "The themes in Show Boat are still alive today and the theatre is one place where they can be boldly examined. Show Boat is not about a boat — but about the sense of change in America among the social classes and, more than that, how race influences our lives and music. The wonderful thing is that the river keeps flowing and the show is about change and growing through good and bad, which is more relevant than ever today. The production will be a new beginning for audiences in discovering the great world of Show Boat and, though it may be the granddaddy of musical theatre, it will feel like it was written yesterday."

Here is a look at the production:

View the Entire Photo Gallery Stephanie Waters with Will Gartshore and members of the ensemble Photo by Chris Mueller

Broadway's Jonathan Tunick has created new orchestrations for this revival. Performances will play to Jan. 17, 2010.

For more information, visit signature-theatre.org.