SF Opera's SHOW BOAT coming to the big screen

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 3:57pm

I was able to see this production this past summer, and I'd definitely recommend seeing a screening of it if you can! I have my issues with the show itself, but of course it's such an important piece of theatre history, and it was a really cool experience to see such a full, beautiful production of this show, and with such an outstanding (for the most part) cast. 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/San-Francisco-Operas-SHOW-BOAT-Starring-Harriet-Harris-Bill-Irwin-Coming-to-the-Big-Screen-20150408

[WOSQ]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 4:16pm

It is the same production that played Chicago and DC, but with different singers.

 

There were over 100 people on stage and the Joe could really hit those low notes in Ol' Man River.

 

Try to catch this one.

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 5:44pm

Yeah, it was really quite lovely. Bill Irwin and Harriet Harris kind of walked away with the whole show. They were DELIGHTFUL together. They were not necessarily in the same show, but they were delightful. 

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 7:37pm

Show Boat is one of my obsessions (and I was lucky enough to see the Hal Prince revisal.)  Not sure about the production design for this, but otherwise it looks terrific.  Anyone know (and I know this is a complicated question given how many versions there are,) what script or at least song selection they used?

And isn't the Philharmonic concert version from last year meant to air soon on PBS?  I know that one tried to shove in as much of the music as possible (even the cut out of town It's Getting Hotter in the North last scene song,) yet for some reason they cut one of my faves, Hey Feller.  Which of course is often cut (I believe it was rarely done after the 46 revival--like In Dahomey another fave,) and wasn't in Prince's version, but since the Philharmonic seemed to include everything else...

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 9:52pm

This production ran about 2:50 from what I remember -- so definitely not the full version. These were the songs:

Cotton Blossom

Who Cares if My Boat Goes Upstream?

Make Believe

Ol' Man River

Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man

Til Good Luck Comes my Way

Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun'

Ol' Man River (Reprise 1)

Life Upon the Wicked Stage

Queenie's Ballyhoo

You Are Love

Act One Finale

When the Sports of Gay Chicago

Why Do I Love You?

Make Believe (Reprise)

Bill

Can't Help Lovin' (Reprise)

Washington Post March

Goodbye My Lady Love

After the Ball

Ol' Man River (Reprise 2)

Dance the Night Away

You Are Love (Reprise)

Hey, Fellah!

Ol' Man River (Reprise 3)

Updated On: 4/8/15 at 09:52 PM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 12:51pm

"And isn't the Philharmonic concert version from last year meant to air soon on PBS?"

I hope so. You mean the one with Vanessa Williams, right? It was flawed as all productions are and I'm sure they could have used more rehearsal time but there were some great performances. Julian Ovenden, Lauren Worsham, and Alli Mauzey sounded particularly good. It did feel a little over-long but I'd like to see it again.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 3:49pm

Yes, that's the one.  I'm certain they said PBS was filming it like they did for Carousel, but I haven't seen it on the schedule yet. 

 

Thanks JBroadway for that list!  It looks like this production used yet another new iteration of the various past productions--but that's de riguer when it comes to Show Boat.  I'm excited to see it--nice to see they included Hey Feller and Till Good Luck Comes My Way (both were cut from Hammerstein's own 1946 revival that for a long time was the commonly used version up through the '70s.)  Good Luck is often seen as too operatic, but it makes sense for an opera company and sets up Gaylord's personality well.

I was worried this would not be coming to my city as these things rarely do, but SFOpera has announced that a DVD and BluRay will be released in June!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 3:52pm

It already aired on PBS.  It was rather underwhelming.  Even Vanessa Williams, whom I love, didn't do much for me. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 5:00pm

WHAT!?! I love PBS for these recordings and for often putting them online but they are ridiculous about announcing these events in advance of when they are airing.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 5:14pm

UGH, really???  How the Hell did I miss it?    I have Great Performances and Live from... on permanent record on my stupid DVR. 

 

Are you just imagining things?  I can't find ANYTHING on Google--just several announcements that it will be telecast but no date has been decided yet.  PBS is horrible for doing this, but usually something remains on their website (they still have the Carousel page but not the video.)

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 5:17pm

I'm so upset I missed the SHOW BOAT with Vanessa Williams. I also didn't realize it had already aired  This version sounds terrific though!

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 5:29pm

Phyllis, you must have just seen the clips that have aired online.  It has YET to air on PBS--I just read several sites that say it's still "coming soon" to Live from Lincoln Center.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 5:41pm

I do think it's hilarious we all freaked out when Phyllis said it had already aired. Nice knowing other people make as big of a deal about missing it as me.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 6:00pm

Yes--it makes me hold on to the folly that I'm not insane about such things, a little bit more :P

[kp]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 6:11pm

More worried for Phyllis who is underwhelmed by something she hasn't seen!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 7:05pm

Maybe I dreamed it?  I swear I remember it being on, but I'm sure everyone else is right.   Sorry if I freaked anyone out.  I'm not kidding when I say I must have had a dream about it, because I still have the memory of watching it!

Updated On: 4/9/15 at 07:05 PM

[Fantod]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 7:19pm

This was a marvelous production. I saw it twice. Don't miss it.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/9/15 at 8:15pm

Well, I'll do my best to catch both. Does anyone know where the June 12 NY showings will be? 

[Wildcard]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 6:47pm

So this is supposed to be playing in Los Angeles on Monday yet I can't find any theater information on it. Any locals know if this is still a go?

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 6:57pm

I still have such a vivid memory of the brilliant Hal Prince production in 1997. That cast was huge. Stritch and John McMartin were wonderful (a very subdued but strong Stritch, too). Lonette McKee brought me to tears with that smokey voice. The perfect Julie, to me. And I loved Rebecca Luker's shimmering soprano as Magnolia. Stroman's choreography was inspired, Joe and Queenie were the best I've seen in any production ...

 

So I'm kinda wondering how this one will fare. I love the story, so that's reason enough to see it.

Updated On: 5/19/15 at 06:57 PM

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 5/19/15 at 8:00pm

"Show Boat is one of my obsessions (and I was lucky enough to see the Hal Prince revisal.)  Not sure about the production design for this, but otherwise it looks terrific. 

 

Do you have that three CD set, put out by John McGlinn and starring Frederica von Stade as Magnolia? I never bought it, but I borrowed it from the library and listened to it extensively.

 

So many songs. New songs written for the first Broadway revival which was not many years after the original. New songs for the '36 (?) film version. The kicker to me was that the original closing number, "It's Getting Hotter in the North," which I really liked, has never made it into any of the major productions or films, including the first run.

 

So much to pick and choose when assembling a new production. Even the whole second act is pretty much up for grabs as long as you include a few songs like "Why Do I Love You" and "Bill" and Gay deserts the pregnamt Magnolia. Sometimes the couple reunites after only a few years and sometimes after many years.

 

You're the expert and I've probably gotten some of what I wrote wrong. But I saw the Hal Prince production also and I'm ready for another.

 

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 9:44am

This is being shown Sunday 5/31 here in the Boston area for people that want to see it. 

[Jon]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 10:27am

I imagine Bill Irwin must be great in the scene where Captain Andy acts out the big fight in the melodrama, and knocks himself out.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 10:56am

This production will be released on Blu-ray June 30...it's up on Amazon.

[bdboston]

Posted: 5/27/15 at 11:03am

Hey Metropolis-- where in Boston?