The 1927 musical romance about the extended family connected to a Mississippi floating playhouse, circa 1890-1927, is based on the novel by Edna Ferber, and features book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Jerome Kern.
Here's a first look at this Show Boat:
Opening night at Goodspeed, located along the Connecticut River, is July 27. David Aron Damane, whose Broadway credits include The Life and the revival of Big River, plays Joe, the post-Reconstruction African-American stevedore who labors on the Cotton Blossom, cooing with his lady, Queenie (Andrea Frierson), and ruminating about the indifference of "Ol' Man River."
The company also boasts Sarah Uriarte Berry as Magnolia, Ben Davis as Gaylord Ravenal, Lesli Margherita as Julie, Karen Murphy as Parthy, Lenny Wolpe as Capt. Andy, Danny Gardner as Frank, Jennifer Knox as Ellie and Maddie Berry as Kim. The famous score features "Cotton Blossom," "You Are Love," "Make Believe," "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine," "Why Do I Love You" and "Life Upon the Wicked Stage."
The ensemble includes Paule Aboite, Elizabeth Ann Berg, Elise Kinnon, Denise Lute, A'Lisa Miles and Mollie Vogt-Welch, with Kyle E. Baird, Robert Hannon Davis, Robert Lance Mooney, Rob Richardson, Greg Roderick, Jet Thomason, David Toombs, Richard Waits and Nicholas Ward. The swings are Adam Fenton Goddu and Christiana Rodi.
The creative team includes Michael Schweikardt (scenic designer), who does create a boat in the scenic design, despite Goodspeed's tiny stage; Amy Clark (costume designer), John Lasiter (lighting designer), Jay Hilton (sound designer), Michael O'Flaherty (music director), F. Wade Russo (assistant music director), Dan DeLange (orchestrations). Show Boat is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.
Tickets are available through the Box Office at (860) 873-8668 or at www.goodspeed.org.
